Evening journal., 1897-02-03
.BIJOU CASE IN COURT.
D. J. Marchant Fined for POST
ing Obscene Pictures.
PROMINENT CITIZENS PRESENT

HORACE G. KNOWLES CALLED
THEM GRAND WORKS OF ART.
MR.. PRICKETT SAID THEY REP
RESENTED venus OF THE
COAST"
After a weeks quiet Municipal Court
resumed its usual aspect this morning
and for two hours the case OF ID. j.
Marchant, manager of the Bijou The
atre, charged with placing obscene
posters on the bill boards of this city,
held the attention of Judge Bail and
the regular court visitors.
The court room was filled with
women of the new and reform types,
and the interest which they evinced in
| the proceedings clearly showed that
they are not in sympathy with posters.
Bishop Coleman and Archdeacon Hall
were also present, and several promi-
nent citizens.
Horace G. Knowles. counsel for Mar
chant. said that his client is out of the
city, but that he would 90 on with the
case.
George w. Jackson was the first wit
ness, and swore that he was hired by
Marchant to place the bills on the
boards of the city. also that he was
paid for the work by Marchant
Officers Sherry, Payne, Gum and
Schell testi fed to having torn the post
ers from the boards.
w. S. Prickett, counsel for the Law
and Order Society, called A. ID. Warner
to the stand. Mr. prickett asked Mr.
Warner to give his opinion regarding
the posters, and as to whether they
were obscene or not. The witness said
that he was shocked on seeing the pic
lures, and thought they were demoral-
izing In effect, and would deprave the
minds of older children.
Before Mr. Warner was through
speaking Mr. Knowles objected to his
testimony, saying that Mr. Warner was
giving his own personal opinion, and
, H. such testimony were allowed why
not bring the thousands of people who
saw the pictures in the case. Their
testimony is as important as Mr.. War
! ner's.' said Mr.. Knowles.
The court sustained Mr.. Knowles,
but informed opposing counsel that he
could use Mr. Warmers testimony in
other ways. He did so, and the case
went on.
After Mr.. Warner had concluded his
evidence Judge Ball said: "Mr Prickott
do you offer the witness as expert tes-
II timony and do you think that this case
q requires expert testimony No said
Mr.. Prickett. 81 merely thought that
Mr.. Warner was a good citizen, and one
that was capable of telling just how
obscene the pictures were"
The witness was then questioned by
;, Mr. Knowles.
~ "Mr Warner. have you ever been tC
= an opera?' Il have" said the witness
~ Have you ever witnessed the ballet;
: or did the operas that you saw have
ls no ballet?" "They had" and left The
~ theatre when that part came on
Have you never seen on our streets
~ woman bicyclists with short skirts?
asked Mr.. Knowles.
II have
did you consider that indecent?"
'e Eyes, some: and some have thought
n immoral" replied Mr.. Warner.
rs The next witness was Wilbur Pal
II mer. who said he thought the pictures
he shocking.
~ Mr.. Knowles asked him whether h
In had ever been TO an opera and seen
IS ballet. and If it shocked him. The ques
ton perplexed Palmer, but he an
swcred: "Yes, have seen operas an'
s. hallets, and have considered them de
grading"
Df yet you went?" Queried MI
, Knowles
n II don't go any more" said Palmer
Ne Charles M. Curtis George NJ. ID. Cam
s and Alfred Gawthrop also testified re
M garding the immortality of the pictures
This closed the prosecution.
Mr.. Knowles then made very dra
matte speech for the discharge of hi
a. client He said in part that the pic
9 lures were the work Of artists, an
81 we're not intended to degrade the pub
- lie mind. He concluded by scoring tn
l1 persons who were interested in prose
lu cutting Mr.. Marchant Mr. Prickei
9e closed for the state.
Judge Ball fined Manager Marchar
$40 and costs.
Jesse Jones and Michael Mcdonald
nd two drunks, were held over until tc
lr- night Thomas White and Lizzie Var
sst dorf were fined 50 dnd costs for az
ey sault and battery on William F.oyl
ait The parties are colored.