New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-02
HOLDS WEALTHY WOMAN.
Magistrate Says Social Position
Makes No Difference in ShopHfting.

Magistrate whitman in Jefferson Market police
court yesterday refused 10 discharge woman said
to be wealthy and of high social position. VINO was
charged with shopliftng. The prisoner wheh ar
or,sd fau DAVIS ago In a department store said she
was Mrs Caroline Hobart. Of Jersey CITY heishts
John G. Adams superintendent of the store tod
Magistrate Whitman yesterday that his hrIH "dh'-
ed 10 withdraw its charge against the prisoner /
learned that the woman is a member or one OF the
hest families in this city. and that she has been
suffering from illness for three years he
said Il learned that she has rarely been out aIone'
and we believe In this instance. through some SUI
den mental detection. she was tempted TO stea!.
II can't see how this case differs from any other
case that has come before me" said Magistrate
whitman. 1T is question of exact justice wmeh
must be meted out at any cost. There should be
no discrimination. and there shall be none. "he'her
the accused be poor rich. or socially prominent or
unknown.
"A score of cases of exactly the same kind as
this have come before in the last fortnight ana
I have been obliged hold them for trial A
woman and her little daughter were brought before
me a few DAYS ago and charged with the same
crime She, too. had never stole before ana II al
most broke my heart TO have TO hold her. out hau
my duty TO perform, and she VIII pe Drought ~
trial
q high social position. the fact Of that being
so makes the crime with which she is charged more
fragrant and it should be punished IN the seNeIesl
possible manner.
allow the defendants counsel to get physician
y,bo tho LAWYER said would prove that his chent
ras' mentally irresponsible. At that time the De
fendant appeared doubly yelled. Her head was
bowed low and her frame shook with grlef, ano as
the proceedings went on. her head graduaiIy zen e
10 her breast Her lawyer told the court thal ne
had been unable get the physician, owing 10 ms
absence from the city. He conceded that the prls-
guilty. ,,,..
Then l must hold her. said the court Many
of the prisoners who are brought before me on
similar charges might plead the same excuse, ana
lest il he said any should think that in TINS
there is one law for the rich and another LOT
the moor / am compelled hold her for trial
Bail was fixed at $780, and deposited in cash
Her lawyer refused 10 throw any light on the
vonan's Identity saying he would under no cir
cunstances allow her husband even TO appear IN
court. lest her identity become public.
In Special Sessions Mrs. Mary Lynch, or NO.
1913 Broadway. Brooklyn. and her daughter, eva
fifteen years old were punished Tor shoplifung.
the mother being sentenced to twenty days IN me
CITY Prison, and the daughter sent 70 the
Catholic Protectory. This was the case MaglS-
eloquent plea for clemency, for the daughIer'
pleading that she be sent back 10 her father The
father did know Of the plight OF his wife ana
daughter. he said.
The girl chung to her mother with her arms
about her neck, and had TO be separated from her
by force -,,s- =.
sixty days each in the City Prison. They were
Henry J. Struner. of No II Melrose st, Brooklyn,
and Mrs. Clara Engelman. of No. 40 Pulaski,sl.'
brooklyn. They pleaded guilty to the charge Mrs
Fngeman said that she bride of few
weeks. and that Struner had been the best man at
he wedding