The evening times., 1897-06-16
MARTIN PREFERS THE JAIL
Cid Gentleman Refuses to Pay a
Fine OF Accept a Favor.
JUDGE KIMBALL MOST KIND
The Defendant Had Created Al Sii-
sance by Declining to Connect His
Premises With Sewer, AID IN
Spite of the Cour.'. Suggestion, He
Persists in His Refusal.

Robert Martin, about sixty years OF age,
of refined appearance, and the owner Of
real estate valued at $1,000, was sen
tenced TO thirty days imprisonment in
Jail i'll default of 81 81 fine, 10y Judge KIM
ble today, for refusing to connect his prem
ises. no. sos G street southeast. with the
public sewer.
Martin acknowledged the ownership of
the property, and also said lie had son
In good circumstances who could help
him, but sooner than mortgage the former
or 4 appl v to he latter for aid lie would ~ rye
his sentence out.
Judge KimbalI reasoned with him in vain.
The old gentleman was stubborn and re-
fused TO accept any offer Of elemency.
The arrest was made by Sanitary InspeC-
tor Beaumont, who Informed the court that
the defend ndant had been notified frequently
TO comply with the health regulations, but
ignored them. Finally a warrant was taken
out for him yesterday. and he was notiIied
to appear in court The only answer that
the defendant would vouchsafe 20 the charge
was that he had not the ready money TO
pay for the work.
But" said the court, II am Informed
that there have been frequent complalnis
about the unsanitary condition OF your
house. ard As you own IL uniuCunbereI
there is 10 reason why you could not mort
gage il for $50 and have the connection
made"
Your honor" was the reply, 81 absO-
lutcly decline ~ cuclmDer my property
lib Z m
kcep it 80 Besides, what The inspector
says is sewer running In front of my
house Is not "A sewer As defined by law.
The ordinance says that sewer must
consist ur terra Gotta pipes laid certain
number Of feet below tne surface and GOV
cred with cement. Now, the sewer on y
street is merely covered with few inches
OF mud"
That is a question upon which neither
you are, nor am /, qualified to pass In
terTupted the court
The pipes are there, and you are re-
quired by la W to connect yoUrpremises with
them. Now, Mr.. Martin, am willing TO
give you thirty days within which to com
ply with the regulations. Will you promise
to have the connections made in that time
mo. sir; l viii not promise anything"
.why win you not borrow $50 on your
property?" urged a Assistant District AttOr-
ney MulIowny.
Because l don't choose to.
Then. said Mr.. MulIowny, losing pa
tience," l would ask your honor not 10
offer the defendant any further fayorS.
We have held out TO him everything within
reason, hut be seems determined TO he
imprisoned and / do not see what the
Government can do but comply with his
| wish
You understand, Mr. Martin" then
said the court, that even after you have
served one sentence for your OffenSe, nD-
tice VIII gain be served upon you to comply
with the regulations, aud upon your failure
10 do so, you will again be brought before
me SO that unless you either sell youI
| house or connect it with the sewer yOu
would bid fair to spend the rest of your
| life in jan"
Now, don't know when / have had a
more distasteful task than that OF SEN
| fencing man Of your evident age and
| respectability to jail, but as you so stub
bornIy decline to meet any of my proposals
| half way. the law leaves me no alternative.
I shall have to fine you $151-One dollar
| for each day which has passed since the
| notice was first served upon you. and in
| default OF payment you are sentenced To
| thirty days In jail.
"AsI cannot pa y my fine" said Bir. Mar
tin, indifferently, Il will have to serve
out my sentence" and he walked back
into the dock, there to wait, with the other
prisoners, for the van to convey them
to Jail