The National tribune., 1902-07-10
TOM JOHNSON AT WORK.
Philosophers ON Marriage-sirgle Men Seek
Saloons.
cleveland Plain Dealer.)

Mayor Johnson philosophical on mar
red life and the relations of the single
and homeless man To the saloon at the
meeting of the Pardon Board, recently.
Get married and settle down." was the
advice he gave to the prisoners he DIS
charged. OF the 2t men ranged before him
in striped coats, with petitions for release,
he pardoucd 20, and also one who had not
filed Il petition. Three women who made
like applications We're refused.
DO you notice." said the Mayor, mus
ingly, as case after case came up before
him, most of whom have been arrested for
intoXicaton. what Il large majority Of
these people are unmarried! If you men
had got married and settled down. he
said, turning to the prisoners, you would
not now be here. You fellows that have
no homes drift into the saloon, which
seems to be the only comfortable place to
go, where you get into all sorts of trouble
How many of you men viii get mar
ried if let you go:'
The prisoners grinned sheepishly, and
some looked as though eager to promise.
Never mind" said the Mayor with a
wave of his hand, IF let you-get mar
ried. You needn't promise. i don't like
promises. l have found that those of you
who are profuse with promises generally
break them. Make up your mind to do a
thing, then do it. Don't promise"
One of the most pathetic cases, and one
which Won the most sympathy from the
Mayor, was that of Elmer Burns, who
was charged with petit larceny. Burns
admitted having stolen SS. He told his
story in a manly, straightforward way
which at once won for him the sympathy
Of the Pardon Board, and even were it not
for the presence of his wife and three
baby girls, who had come to plead his
cause, he would probably have been re-
leased.
Why did you steal the money! asked
the Mayor.
Il was out of work" said the man, 'and
had nothing with which to buy food for
the children. The SS seemed TO fall into
my hands, and | couldn't resist the temp
tation." In the prisoners lap sat q curly,
brown-haired baby Of three. With big,
somber blue eyes she watched the Mayor
as he discussed the case. The man had
made a good impression, but the case en-
tailed real crime and was not the ordi
nary intOxication, so the Mayor hesitated.
While he was discussing the advisabiiity
Of letting the man go the little girl tugged
at her fathers ccat sleeve. looking up into
his eyes. Papa, let's go home," she said.
why don't you come home, papa, with
mamma and me?" The prisoner leaned
tears in his eyes. He said nothing, how
ever. But the case was settled.
"Go home and support your family"
said the Mayor. Here's 50 for the baby"
and the Mayor handed over bill to the
prisoners wife.
Burns walked out of the room, his face
radiant. Il don't think we have misplaced
our confidence in that man." remarked the
Mayor.
Then followed little comedy of errors.
John Welsh was called forward.
Your name Welsh!' asked the Mayor.
Yep"
The case was considered and it was de-
cided to let the man go. Welsh got up to
walk with Il smile on his face.
What are you laughing about?" de-
manded the Mayor.
Nothing"
"Oh. you are. You can't come that on
me-" Then the case was recOnsidered, and
it was f0und that the man, although his
name was Welsh, was not the one who
had filed the application for pardon. Welsh
No. l. his smile entirely vanished, WIS led
back to his cell, while Welsh No. was
brought out and discharged.
Change your name" said the Mayor,
you nearly missed your freedom"