Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-29
NOT LIKE THE OLD DAT rs
PLANT OF A PRISONER IN
POLICE COURT DOCK.
Remembers When an Effort Was Made
to Avoid Public Exhibitions
at Trials.

I've been coming to the Police Court for
more than twenty years." said one of the
defendants in line today, land 1 think I'm
entitled to more consideration than l get.
The time was when 1 paid fines and assisted
in the payment of government salaries, but
now that I'm getting along in years, and
money is scarce, l have to serve time on
the farm. Because I'm broke and unfor-
tunate should be no reason why I should
be put on exhibition every time I'm ar
rested.
When Judge Smell was on the bench
and a better judge never lived-he did every
thing in his power to prevent public exhibit
tons of the downtrodden. In those days
the prisoners were brought into the dock
as their cases were called and when dis
posed of each disappeared from view. The
disappearing act after trial is still done, bat
the exhibition act before trial IS carried on
to demoralizing extent. Each morning
we are put in a cage to be viewed by the
aud1ence, and 1t is not unusual thing to
remain on exhibition two or three hours
wish the District authorities would get
liberal he concluded, land drop a piece of
cloth or linen over the iron cage and thus
remedy the evil"
Trio Pleads Guilty.
Three colored men walked to the rail- of
the cage when Judge Bundy's court con-
Vened and said Guilty. when asked to
plead to charge of disorderly conduct
1ohn Boston, William Griggs and Caleb
thompson were the names given by the de-
fen 1ants
Mr.. Pugh suggests that your honor take
theIr personal bonds,' the clerk stated
Give your personal bonds and go home"
the court said to the trio, ''and keep out Of
trouble in the future
Shes not married and has three chill
wv Do1s
Mamie Carter, young colored woman who
was tried for vagrancy.
found her in my stable early this
morning" said a resident of 10Th street
women frequently use my stable for
sleeping purposes, but they usually get out
early In the morning. This morning
reached the stable earlier than usual and
called policeman to arrest her.
Judge, your honor said the woman, II
wasn't drunk and swearing when the police
arrested me-"
That's not the charge against you" the
judge told her. Sixty days"
Two elderly men who had been sghtsee-
ing together were in the dock this morning
for alleged vagrancy. When the case was
concluded they separated, Charles Nc
Closkey being released and Torrance Con-
molly going down for two months.
This is the first time 1 was ever arrest
ed, protested McCloskey, land why 1 was
arrested this time 1 can't understand"
Where are you from?" Judge Bundy
asked.
I'm from New Orleans" the elderly man
answered. land 1 make an honest living"
What were you doing lettering about the
streets last night?"
II was waiting for bed time. The place
where l sleep is not opened until o'clock"
Torrance Connolly was unable to make
so good plea. He had been in court many
times before and had but little to say.
Fred Boyd, colored hunchback, who
styled himself the "clam man." entered
denial to charge of vagrancy.
The complaint against him was that he
lived In the disreputable section of the city
and did not work.
Il sold papers on 14th street for num-
Der of years. said the hunchback land
then | had clam cart. Handling so much
ice gave me rheumatism in my hand, and
l had to give it up
ton the court could not understand Boyd
was fined $50 or sixty days.
Only Georgetown Representative.
Dennis Howard, colored, was the only
Georgetown representative In todays line.
II was cussing," he admitted, when the
road" A fine of So was imposed
Rose Davenport, colored was given a bad
name by the police and the court fined her
$50 on charge of vagrancy.
Fannie Nettle and Mamie Davis, colored
inmates of house on 18th street, were re-
ported by Policeman Charlton for vagrancv
They were arrested because the police re-
ceived complaint of an alleged disorder
in the house. They We're fined $40 each,
with thirty days on the farm as the all
tentative.