Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-02
PREMATURE : PATRIOTISM
Violations Of the laws Forbidding Use of
Explosives
Each of Three Individuals Fined Ten
Dollars-One O3ender PardOned-
Severity OF Penalty.

Charles Hemling, q hatcher, who lives on
l2th street northeast, was in the Police
Court this morning charged with setting
on frecrackers on the street last night.
Guilty" was his plea
Ten dollars said Judge Kinball.
Your honor" interrupted Mr.. Hemling,
Il plead guilty, but was ignorant Of the
law"
Ignorance Of the law is no excuse. "
the court said. I'm afraid you don't read
the newspapers"
Your HONOR said the young man, "Pll
tell you how it happened. Last night I
went to the Chinese laundry with my little
girl ard the Chinaman gave the child a
few firecrackers. The policeman was in
the neighborhood when 1 set them off, and
had known it was a violation Of law 1
certainly should not have touched them"
"The law provides the penalty and you
will have to pay the fine"
Exploded Torpedo.
A similar charge was made against a
small colored boy named Joseph Jones.
He threw a number OF torpedoes on the
sidewalk.
Il learned where the boy had bought the
explosives" said Policeman Cochran, land
I wanted to prosecute the dealer, but learn
ed that couldn't do it,
Here we have small boy said Judge
Kimball to Prosecuting Attorney Pugh.
What shall do with him?'
DO what the law says" replied Mr.
Pugh. IF your honor don't do 1t you will
violate the law yourself"
But he's SO small" the court said.
It's the small boys who violate this
law" Mr. Pugh said. linen don't set off
firecrackers.'
Yes. they do" added the Judge. 1--WE
just had man in here for it,
''Then." said Mr.. Pugh, The ought to
have been sent to jail
Judge Kimball finally imposed fine of
$40 The boys mother was unable to pay
the fine and the little fellow was sent to
the Workhouse for one day.
Newsboy Next.
Frank Cleveland, eight years old. and a
Star newsboy. came near going to the work
house this morning because hs set of a fire.
cracker on the street last night Judge
Kimball fined him SO. but agreed to let him
ssrve but one day on the farm in default.
This meant that the boy would havs to
swelter in cell in the court building for
some time before being sent to the farm.
where he would remain over night. But
the District Commissioners came to his re-
lief. because Of his youth and physical con-
dition, and pardoned him. Frank now has
the distinction of having been arrested.
fined and pardoned all within twenty-four
hours.
When the case was called in Judge Kim
balls court the father of the boy appeared
and pleaded for his release
Let me take him home" pleaded the IA
Their. "and I'll see that.ihe violates the law
no mora"
Judge Kimball recalled that the little chap
had been arrested before, and remarked:
Your boys no angel"
Il know he's not an angel" replied his
father. Il wish he was
The boy admitted his guilt and said he
had spent two cents for fireworks last
night.
Where did he get money for frecrack-
ers?" Judge Kimball asked the boys ia
ther
He had cents yesterday morning." was
the answer. land he bought an extra Star
from a boy and sold it. He repeated this
transaction until he lad made 70 cents.
and on his way home he spent cents for
fireworks"
Ca Can you pay lis finer the, father was
mo, sir" Twas his answer st only get
$25 a month, and when paid my bills yes
terday didn't have any money left"
Mr.. Cleveland, who lives at 317 Sth street
northwest, works for one Of the steam rail-
road companies.
Pardon PrOoured