The times., 1899-12-02

IN q recent letter 10 the Commissioners
Major Sylvester called attention TO the
recent decision OF Justice Bradley in the
Criminal Court Of the District regarding
the operation Of the Law against suspicious
characters. The judge held that the charge
Of suspicious character" cannot be sus-
taiEed under the existing Law, and the
Major requests that the matter be sub
mitted 10 the Attorney for the District for
his consideration, IN order that an amend
ment may be prepared which viii operate
against the class Of persons FOR whose ar
TesL The existing regulation provides.
In his letter Major Sylvester states that
l. is important that the police should have
such legislation as VIII permit the arrest
Ct and the Issuance Of Informauons against
strangers and others who may come under
surveillance. and who may give grounds for
the belief that they have at some time CON-
mitted or are about 20 commit some crime
The proceedings in the case cited are IA
mlllar 10 the attorney, the writer states
and he has been Informed that the case
has been carried 20 q higher court or ap-
peal. but as the prospects for an early
A-aa--l-+-Ai-A VA AAAE A4eE eke remote LE
suggests that the matter be taken under
consic ration in order that the defect. if
any exists, may be presented 20 Congress
Tor proper legislation.
v hen persons known 10 be or evil re-
pute and kindred subjects come into this
jurisdiction. the Major states. ''it Is Of The
utmost importance that The authorities rnsv
be prepared 10 investigate and arrest them
Il such course Is warranted by facts, 10
The end that they may be prevented from
practicing upon the persons and property
Of our citizens Upon Investigation il viii
be found that the authorities OF all large
cities are sustained by the courts Ia their
Efforts 10 this direction, and the public
welfare demands that such safeguard shall
be provided here"
The section Of the acr for the pres rya-
ton OF peace in the District 10 which the
letter referred is that which is said 70
have been prepared by the advice o. Judge
Ivory 6. kimbaIi. and is commonly luUg1
a. the yagrancy law il provIdes-
IH-t a.i ssgTzats aI id.e and dis9rderlr per.
Sons, persons % evil Iiie on ,sII fame. persons
WHO hafc no visible means " support persons
repeatedly lrNE IH ar about any 81 tf.e -.r--..
4Fel-ees alleys roads. hielaaFs. ur gtLar UuIlt.
A-sefs elt.lA Nie District oi Columbia. uar-1ns
repeatedly lettering DO @. around upp.ing houses.
81 suspicious persons. all pubiie pI8stltu.p- and
az persons Who lead ieUd or IasriyiUus c85.r-a
- lte- shall upon conviction thereof be fined rg-
% exceed $50, c- shall De required 20 enter
'uLo security ldr their good behavior f,r
I5eE-od ~ SIX months. said security SH4u to- .u
ne nature ol recogEiza1ca 10 tile DistTigt ~
1oiHutla, io be approved ~ THE court. ia
penalty not exceeding 500. conditioned tlal tHe
onenaer shsl not, Tor the space Of six months
refe@t The offence with which De OF Size Is charged
and s.laH iu other respects conduct themselves
properly.
MS Is probably one Of the best known
q the District statutes, and il is said that
tleFe are more prosecutions made under
is provisions than any other regulation
u force ~ the city. There have been mauy
very heated arguments in the Police Court
over its application 10 a certain class OF
persons and the extreme penalty is almost
always inflicted. Lawyers have maintained
lhal its provisions are contrary 10 the Con-
stltuilon and that no person was safe from