Evening star., 1899-03-27
THE VAGS WERE SCARCE
Not Many Included in the Police Court Pro-
cession.
COlOred Boy Anxious to Go to His
Home in North Carolina
Others in Line.

this morning by Policeman Flynn before
Judge Kimball took his seat on the bench.
Whats the matter with the tramps ?''
the officer was asked.
Judge Kimball has insulted them" was
the big policeman's answer. Another thing
is he added, that Officer Pat Creagh is
stationed at Benning. and the tramps have
no more chance of passing him than ca
mines have of getting through the pound
masters net
No, indeed was the answer of Ray
mond Foster, colored boy, called upon to
plead to a charge of vagrancy.
Il saw him looking in a show case in
front of a jewelry Store,'' Policeman Tyser
answered land L arrested him as sus-
picious character There had been several
robberies committed at the store, and I
thought this boys conduct was suspic-
ious."
What else do you know about him?"
His conduct about the alleys was sus-
81 just got out of the workhouse," said
the boy, land l want to go to my home in
North Carolina
Il told you to leave the city when you got
out" the judge said. why didn't you
go?"
Because 1 couldn't find my way out
was his answer, land because l was prom
ised job today l wrote to my mother
from the workhOuse asking her to send me
some money ticket"
Then do you want to go back to the
workhouse until you hear from your mo-
ther?"
He, promised that if the court would re-
lease him he would start south immedia tely
Take his personal bonds" said the court,
land, Mr.. Tyser, will you show him how to
reach the Long bridge?"
Yes SIR
Exceeds His Authority.
Policeman Mu vaney's arrest of Francis
Sheridan resulted in the officer receiving in
structions regarding his duty. In a few
words he was given to understand that his
mission is to prevent breach of the peace,
and not to act a collector of bad debts.
His prisoner was a man wearing a soldiers
uniform, and the charge against him was
diSorderly conduct
L went after Sheridan on complaint of
the Keeper of a lunch room' the officer
told the court. He had been in the lunch
room and gone out without paying his bill
When l told him 1 wanted him he said: L
suppose you are going to take me before
that - - nigger.'
DO ycu look after the collection of bills
for restaurants" Judge Kimball asked the
officer.
NO, SIR was the response of the wit
ness.
Prosecuting Attorney Pugh told the court
that the manual expressly states that off
way.
We're there any grounds for the arrest?''
Mr. Pugh was asked.
None whatever he said. THE police
nave no more right to enforce the payment
OF a restaurant debt than they have to look
after any other debt not their own
He added that he would feel sorry for
many many people if the officers carried out Mr.
Mulvaney's policy.
Judge kimball discharged the defendant.
Other Alleged Ofenses.
What do you want to say for yourself?'
the court asked Charles McCristal, who was
in the procession for disorderly conduct.
1 don't remember of having used any
bad language" was his answer.
Were you drunk? ?" Judge Kimball asked
him.
Yes sir"
Five dollars"
Policeman Furr reported Richard Queen
for alleged disorderly conduct
Il heard a man tell him the police were
coming the officer said, land he answered
- - the police"
penalty of So or fifteen days was i'm
posed.
Benjamin Jennings was similarly fined.
He had threatened to assault another boy.
and he had big stone in his pocket when
the officer arrested him.
Judge, your honor" said Walter Brown
colored, I've kept the peace for thirty five
years.
And then turned him loose" interrupted
Mr.. Pugh.
Let liquor alone" the court advised him,
"and you will keep the peace for thirty-five
years more"
He was fined So with the alternative of
spending six days in the workhouse.
boy named John Martin, who was
charged with violating the hack law plead
ed ignorance of the regulations.
Yesterday" he said, was the first time
l drove and l didn't know it was against
the law to go on the stand.
I've seen him driving on the avenue for
several weeks Policeman LYDIA told the
judge
The court imposed a fine of So In the
event Of failure to pay he will serve nine
days on the farm
Herman Brown, Henry Taylor and Ellis
Boston were very disorderly on 18th street
northeast yesterday, according to the re-
port of Officer Payne
It's my first time said one of the trio,
"and l hope you will let me off,
Were you under the influence of liquor?"
Eyes, sir
"How many drinks had you had?"
II don't know"
The defendants were fined So; the equiva-
lent is fifteen days.
There were two charges of crap shooting
against Nelson Jenifer.
Hes a professional crap shooter" Po-
liceman Wagner said.
Jenifer incurred a penalty of $40 or four
months.
Palm Sunday Observed.
The observance of Palm Sunday in the