Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14

on complaint of the latter, by explaining to
the wife the possible haruships she Will
have to undergo IT her lord ana master is
sent to jail.
Some of the Complaints
People call on them and apply for war
rants for what they claim are outrageous
offenses. Only recently lady very much
excited entered the 9office and said she
wanted warrant for a man VINO mad sold
her shad that morning.
why do You wish to, have him larrested?'
she was asked.
well you see" she began, she sold me
the shad and claimed that it was one Of the
roe variety, and when cleaned 1t found
1t to be stuffed with paper.
She was not successful in causing the ar
rest because she did not know his name,
and he escaped punishment.
The same crowded conditions exist in the
office of Assistant City SolicIlor James L.
Pugh, jr., who attends to the prosecution of
the cases on the District side of the court,
the only difference being that his room Is
trifle smaller.
The judges are compelled to listen to all
sorts of stories, and they are often called
upon to act as a referee between husband
and wife, when the former Is brought into
court on charge of ill-treating his better
half. His honor often hesitateS to impose
a fine on the husband, because oftentimes
the offender would have to go to jail in
default of the fine, which would be punish
ing the wife most, she being deprived of
her support while the husband is in JAIL
Where 1t Is practicable, therefore. the man
is permitted to go at liberty on his personal
bonds after receiving good, sound lecture
from the court.
Scenes About the Court.
Some of the culprits brought before the
court are amusingiy stupid. While the
charge against one of them is being read,
he or she may stand gazing about the court
room with vacant expression. possibly not
aware that anything is going on that in
wolves themselves. However, when they
are made to understand that they may say
something in their own defense, or when
witness is required to make statement of
an occurrence, there is an awakening.
flow of eloquence is developed, supported
by minute details and interSpersed with
qualifying clauses, which the judge has
difficulty in shutting off.
On conviction and sentence the prisoner
is sent down stairs to the cells to await the
arrival of the Maria. Often some one will
come in and leave with the turnkey a bag
of smoking tobacco and some matches,
perhaps a plug of chewing tobacco for a
friend, then in the tolls tor enjoy in the dull
hours of the prison.
The Maria" arrives from the Jail and
workhouse about u O'Clock. The officer in
charge of the wagon goes back to the cell
corridor and calls "Ma-ri-a-Ma-ri-a" in
d louu tome VI Voice, just as the con-
ductor of a train announces the sta
tions along the railway. Then every
thing is hustle. The prisoner are
tod to get themselves in readiness, and
those defined for the Jail are handcuffed in
pairs Out on the pavement the officers
form in line on each side from the base
ment corridor to the door of the van and
a crowd of the curious gathers, to see the
procession. Everything being in readiness,
the word is given, and out the prisoners
come moving quickly through the corridor
from the rear of the building down flight
of steps out of door into daylight and up
seconds, loaded into the dark wagon.
AS the men came out one day last week.
an old colored woman, who was standing
by the head of the steps leading from the
cell entrance Of the court houses, was seen
to reach out suddenly and push an old pipe
and a bag Of tobacco into the, hand, of
haired old fellow.
Hes my man. she said, In explanation,
to a bystander.
He had been on spree the previous Sat
urday and unfortunately a policeman hap
his wife's eye. She explained to the judge
that her man was good man except when
he took too much liquor, but his honor
would not excuse the culprit.
The Prisoners Aid Society composed of
number of prominent church people, has an
agent at the court, Mr. G.. A. Ma ssie;, who
does much for the benefit and comfort of
the unfortunates behind the bars. often
times getting the judges to set aside fines
imposed and release them on their personal
bonds on condition that they leave the city
That is only done. however. where, the de-
PENDANTS are residents of other cities If
they happen to be without funds Mr.. Massie