The Washington times., 1902-12-07

professional side Of the court. and it IL
one Of the methods which results in the
passing to the farm OF scores OF young
sters continually. A scrap in a back
alley or on the public highway will place
one there. A "cussing match in a
slightly too public locality will answer
the purpose as well as anything else.
The consuming Of a few more drops
from the joyful cup than usually con-
stitutes a convenient cargo will hurry a
persons footsteps toward the court
house. An alteration in a public place
will have the same effect. And there are
hundreds Of other ways by which one
may find himself or herself called upon
/ TO face a charge in the Police Court. II
is really one Of the easiest matters in
the world to get there. although it is
one OF the most difficult propositions in
the world to get out OF it by way OF tho
front door unless obliged to part with
considerable Of Uncle Sans legal tend
er. A person may almost stumble into
the place.
Including the Free Ride"
To get into the court all a person Ias
TO do is to commit some act Of indiscre-
tion within the sight Of a policeman or
in such a place or manner that Il will
reach his ears. The rest is easy. The
more or less pleasant little stroll TO the
patrol box follows Immediately. and this
in turn gives place to very rapid drive
around a portion OF the town in the
'hurry-up wagon" Once safely lodged
in the precinct ststionhouse. the culprit
Iundergoes n somewhat extensive cate
chism on %he subject Of his name. ma
tionality, employment, and various and
Isundry other questions touching more OF
less upon his pedigree.
A nights lodging at the expense OF the
Government usually follows. succeeded
upon the morrow by a second free ride
in a closed carriage. The vehicle used
for this more or less delightful ride is
distinguished from all other vehicles by
the title Of BLACK Maria" It's only ven
tilation is by means Of short, narrow
Sits in the walls near the roof II the
wagon is crowded. as is invariably the
case on Monday mornings. standing room
near these little openings is at a pre-
MUM, and were not several officers rid
ing with the van TO guard against the
escape Of its inmates. free fights galore
would most certainly occur every few
minutes. Arrived at the Police Court. the
prisoners are hustled down into the cells
+ in the basement, where they await the
Opening Of the court at $3.50 O'Clock. The
sidewalk around the basement door is
usually throngcd with the friends and
relatives Of the prisoners. especially II
they happen to be Of the colored popuIa-
tion. During the brief walk from the
wagon to the door they are hailed by
their friends and a brief but highly
amusing love feast follows. Cigarettes.
plugs and bags Of tobacco. and lunches.
wrapped up in little paper bundles. are
handed over to the prisoners 10 relieve
as far as possible their depression during
their stay in the lower regions. and to
supply the demands Of the inner man.
The calling OF the court" is a cere-
mony which is customarily attended with
great interest. as it Is picturesque and
amusing TO a great extent. The pris-
oners are brought up the back stairway
and placed in the cage. a corner Of
the room fenced on with high network
| In this the men and women are seated
on benches and chairs around the walls.
Il is motley aggregation that occupies
this den. Nearly all OF the prisoners