Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-12
vantages Of early-season freshness an
an hi a srn
"NoT G1JILTY" AT BIJOU.

In nearly all fiction there IS basis OIL
truth. This applies to plays as Wen az ~ :.
the popular novels Of the day. pr actl-#
cal demonstration of this can pe seen ~
the new meodrama Not Gullty,ns-t
he produced at the Bijou MONDAY, lues-
day, and Wednesday, in which one u .ie
prominent characters. Judge y Iowa. dp
pears. The pla wright has produced a pro-
totyne of q once-famous New 1oIhz ely
judge. noted for his-Celtic wit ana great
zliberality. Many amusing stories are
told of this judge and oftimes the dis
nifty of his courtroom was threatened NY
roars of laughter at some WHY sany "
breach of judicial etiquette by MS honoi.
Justice, too, was oftentimes dealt Out III
an original manner, and many d poor ".
fortunate who came before the court. not
only escaped without a fine, but found
themselves discharged and supplied with
money wherewith to buy the necessarles
of life, to get which they had been tempt
ed to steal The incident in which the
judge figures in the play Not Guilty
is one of the most famous OF MS career.
During the very hot wea Their IN Ne" ork
1T was the habit of many poor people to
find relief and breath of cool air by
sleeping in the park. On one particularly
hot night, when the park was crowded
with poor people, the judge returning
from a political gathering at Tamman!
Hail. CHANGED to pass through Union
square. and. sitting on a bench Tor
few minutes, was surprised TO near me
patrol wagon dash up and see the ollcefs
drop out and gather in all the sleepers.
His indignation knew no bounds, and. de-
handing Of the sergeant in command OF
the police squad the reason for the RAID
earned that there was no other com
plant but that city ordinance was De
ing violated by these people seeking rest
on the cool grass. He Immediately Tor
babe the sergeant going on with the
raid, and insisted that he should release
his prisoners at once. This the sergeant
refused to do, as he was acting under or
ders from his superiors. But, knowing
the judges power in politics, and wishing
to conciliate him, he suggested that the
Judge discharge the prisoners when trey
were brought before him in the morning.
His honor. in his goodness of heart, wish
ing to spare these poor unfortunateS
night in the sweltering cell, said he would
discharge them then and there. This the
sergeant answered was impossible as
there was no court; and the judge, throw
ing off his coat and hat and mounting
park bench declared he was empowered
10 hold court when and where he pleased,
had the prisoners brought before him one
by one, and, not only discharged them
on the spot. but gave each ana everyone
enough money to insure q nlSNtS louSiiS
and a breakfast in the morning The city
press at this time described the scene as
one of the widest that had ever been wit
messed in the heart OF New York, and,
needless to say. it added to the judge
popularity, and there never was an oppo-
nent who ran against him who had
ghost of a chance for election. It is sad
to relate this Judge is now dead, but
the actor who assumes the part has made
g careful study of the character. which
will. 1t is expected, please all admirers
of good heartedness who visit the Bijou
next week to see mot Guilty
"Theodora," the great dramatic specta-
Gle. by Victorien Sardou, will besiven
at the Bijou for three nights this week,