The times., 1897-06-17
HIS CHOICE TO Co TO JAIL
Mr.. Martin Refuses to Connect
His House With a Sewer.
PROSPECT OF A LONG TERM
VIII Be Resentenced After Serving
Thirty Days if He Still Declines
to Obey the Law-Pieads NJ
Money and Refuses TO Mortgage
His Property.

Robert Martin, an elderly and finely
dressed man, yesterdayin the police court
announced that he intended to serve a
thirty days sentence In Jail rather than
connect his residence, No. sos G street
southeast, with the public sewer. although
he acknowledged that by mortgaging his
property he could procure the money to
do 1t.
lie was informed that the serving Of
a sentence would not release him from
the obligation to comply with the regu-
lations, but that, upon his dismissal from
fail, he might be again sent there il
he continued to neglect the sanitary coIi-
ditiou of his premises; but, nevertheless,
he persisted in his refusal
Martin has been served with n notice
that he was liable TO arrest for his failure
TO provide his premises with proper drain
age three times, but never paid the slGhest
attention to the warnings Finally, after
a private interview with him, in VIII. h
the only excuse he would give was That
he had no ready money, Inspector Beau
mont could see no other course but to take
out a warrant for him.
Accordingly Mr Martin was in the police
court Yesterday, attired in silk hat and
well-fitting frock coat, which accorded lily
with the plea of poverty which he made
in answer to the charge against him
Martin acknowledged that he owned his
house, valued at So 900, but laughed at the
suggestion made by the judge and the as
s!stant district attorney that he should
mortgage his house for $50 and have the
work done MY property has al ways been
without .ncumbrance,'' he said, "and
propose 20 keep it So
1t was developed that Mr.. Martin has
a son in good circumstances, but here
again the defendant refused TO accept The
courts suggestion, that he apply to him
for help.
Now, Hr. Martin, / am willing 70 give
you thirty days within which TO comply
with the regulations. Win you promise to
have the connections made in that tinie?"
asked Judge Kimhall. in a kindly tone
mo, sir; l viii not promise anything"
"why viii you not borrow $50 on your
property.'' urged Assistant District AttOr-
ney MulIowny.
Because don't choose to-
"Then," said MI MulIowny, losing pa
tience, II would ask your honor not to
offer the defendant any further favorS.
We have held out to him everything within
reason, but be seems determined to he
Imprisoned and 1 do not see what the
Government can do but comply with his
wish"
'.You understand, MI Martin" then
said the court, that even after you have
served one sentence for your offense, nfr
tice will "A gain be served upon you to comply
with the regulat tions, and upon your IA lure
TO do so. you will again he brought before
me So that unless You either sell y01F
house or connect 1T with the sewer you
would lid fair to spend the lest of your
life in jan"
Nov, don't know when l have had a
more distasteful task than that of sen
fencing a man of your evident age and
respectability to jail, but as you so stub
bornly decline to meet any of my proposals
half way, the law leaves me no alternative.
I shall have to fine you S151-one dollar
for each day which has passed since the
notice was first served upon you, and in
default of payment you are sentenced t.
thirty days in jail
"As cannotp pa my fine said Mr.. Mar
tin, indifferently, Il viii have to serve
out my sentence and he walked hack
into the dock, there TO wait, with the other
prisoners, for the van to convey them
to tail