Evening star., 1897-04-02
Madge Fisher Will Not Go to the
Reform School.
JUDGE MILLER IN DOUBT
IncorrigibiIity Was in New York
According to Evidence.
r EN- ARKS BY COCN Sell

Judge Miller in the Police Court this af-
ternoon, set aside the conviction. on the
charge Of incorrigfbility. against Madge
Fisher. accepted the personal bonds of the
girl in that and arranged so that she
will tomorrow be sent to her mother, who
resides In New York city. The charge of
vagrancy preferred against Madge by
Policeman Mellen was nolle pressed. This
action 1t is expected and hoped will bring
the career of the girl in the District of CO.
lumbia to an end
Had not signs of dissipation begun to ap-
pear, Madge Fisher would today be an ur-
usually attractive young woman. For sew
eral months past she has figured quite ex-
tenSively in the Police Court, most prom
inently In the incident wherein she accused
Policeman Mellen of assaulting her by
brutally fracturing her arm. while placing
her under arrest February last, while in
house of iil-fame. That case was dis
posed of Tuesday last. Prior thereto the
girl. on complaint Of her mother, Mrs.
Mary McGinn, was adjudged guilty of in
corrigibillty and sentenced to the reform
school until she should reach the age of
twenty-one years. No vacancy existed In
the girls reform school, and Madge was
held in jail until today.
When the matter was called to the at
tention of the court this afternoon. Judge
Miller remarked that he was in doubt as
to whether or not the girl could be prop
eriy charged IN TINS city Win 1ncOrrlS1Dll-
ity, when II was taken into consideration
that her parents reside in New York. The
incorrigible acts. he thought, must occur
where the parents are present to have con-
troll of the child.
II held the girl" said Judge Miller, "be-
cause thought the facts justified such ac-
tion and because i considered it best for
the girl, her mother stating under oath
that the only salvation for her daughter
rested in her being placed under the con-
troll of the law.
The reform school for girls in this city
Is the result of long efforts on the part
of phlan;hIopic people. Unfortunately,
though some of the creatures committed
to the institution bad, SO stepped
with vice and viiiany, that they are be-
yond reformation. The school is not sufti-
ciently large and no facilities exist for
separating the inmates. | think II much
better to devote the school to younger
girls who have some chance of reforma-
tion than to fill it up with those practi-
cally past that stage l repeat that it Is
to be deeply regretted that the facilities
of the school are inadequate. That being
the case it Is better in the interest Of
all concerned. that only younger girls be
committed there.
Now for instance this Fisher girl
continued Judge Miller lis bright and
smart, and capable OF doing a good deal
of harm In such an institution without
being betteTed herself. Some time ago a
letter was received at this court from a
would look after her if she was returned
home. but the mother was of opinion that
the girl would again begin an immoral life.
There are only two things to be done: send
this girl to the reform school as soon as
vacancy occurs or commit her to the
work house The latter course will Ger
tainly make her vagrant ] do not want
TO do that
ness stand, Judge Miller asked: What will
you do for living If you are permitted 10
go TO New York;?
Go home to my mother" replied Madge
promptly.
You have had experience in the So
called pleasures and the evils of this sort
of life said Judge Miller. Those houses
are all unlawful. You found refuge in one
You have been Knocked around from pos
to pillar. You are Nagrant under the
law. and If you went to the work house
what would you be after your release? il
committed to the reform school your very
presence would be communicating. The con
clusion of the matter is that you have
got to stop this life right now. We Will
send you TO New York
Il don't wish TO be sent by the court re-
marked Madge with a display of spirit. III
you will let me go 10 my sister on f street
| my mother will certainly send the money K
pay my railroad fare"
Wei, you will be sent by the court 0,
rot at all" Judge Miller replied emphat.
| iCalIy.
| Il am willing TO go. then, to my mother,
| Lext said the girl.
And stay there the court wanted tt
| know.
| Yes. sir
| Judge Miller then announced he woulC
| dictate letters to the mother of the girl ant
! to the parish priest. explaining the situa
| tion fully. The girl will oe held here unit
the letters reach New York.
| At this point Attorney Albert Silers. ad
| dressing Judge Miller. stated that the tim
of the court was not so Valuable but that i
| could be taken up in the interest Of justice
| Mr.. Slliers went on to say that he Wante,
| TO show some of the 'raScality of the con
| temptible officers vino figured in the cas-
and the damnable conduct on their part
He wished the court to question the girl I
show that the testimony of the poiceme
! Tuesday last was utterly false in so far a
| II put Madge in the light of threatening I
| have the buttons removed from the police
| men because she had congressman and
| young lawyer to look after her interests
Judge Miller reviewed the assault cas-
| briefly, saying he did not care to examin
further into it, Attorney Sillers state
| that had he not been satisfied that the cour
| would do what was proper for the best in
| terests of the girl habeas corpus proceed
! lngs would have been instituted long ago
Tor, he said, the conviction for incorrigibil
" was improper. No criticism of the aC
tion of the court, however was intended
Instead of being committed to jail until he
departure for New York. Madge will be /
charge Of the matron of one Of the static
houses.
Named for Secretary Gage.