The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-11
COURT PRACTICES
HARM THE POOR
So Declares w. Z. DOWney.
Charity Worker.
LAWS NEED MODIFICATION
Under Present System, Poor Men Are
Unnecessarily Degraded and
Suffer Too Severely.

Suffer Too Severely.
william +. DOwuey. of l622 J. Street,
has written TO the Commissioners, call
ing attention 10 defects in Police Court
practices in trying prisoners.
Mr. Downey is well known as a pri-
vate philanthropist, and is proprietor of
THE Good Samaritan" a lodging house
across the street from his livery stable
in l. Street, I'm which free lodging is
given unfortunate wayfarers. He has
been prominent i'm other philanthropic
directions, and on one occasion his good
work was the text OF part of one OF
President Roosevelt's speeches.
His lengthy communication was re-
ceived yesterday by Commissioner Mac
farland, who esteems Mr.. DOWney's in
tentions highly, and has given close at
tention 10 his recommendation.
Would Modify Laws.
Twenty-Five years in charity and re-
form work have convinced Mr.. DOWney
that some present laws on the subject
should be repealed or modified. He
terms some OF them, or the manner of
their execution. a relic of barbarism and
"A blot on Christianity and civilization.
As an instance OF frregularity in Police
Court methods he cites the following
case:
Two men are arrested and charged
with a like onense-the verdict being a
fine or Imprisonment What Is the re-
suit? The man with the money pays
his fine and goes free. The poor man.
lacking the means 10 pay his fine, must
take the alternative, which may be "A
long term in prison. Meantime his poor
family. who are dependent upon him,
are left TO suffer.
Wrong Man Punished.
We often find the vicious man. who
should be punished, escaping because he
has the means 10 pay his hne, while
the other unfortunate one charged with
IA trivial offense is condemned 20 prison
In many cases a short sentence OF
one or two days would serve the ends
of justice far better than a long term,
as a long confinement among probably
vicious criminals would only crush all
self-respect and demOraliZe lis better
nature.
Another example is shown ian the
treatment OF poor men out of employ
ment who are found without visible
means OF support. Such poor, unhappy
ones are reduced to four extremes, 10
beg. steal. starve or suicide. The prob
ability is that IS per cent of this class
viii beg, rather than resort 10 either
of the other extremes. II IOunu begging
they are arrested by the police officers.
Poor Man Doomed.
THE poor man is arrested as a vag-
rant and sentenced 10 the workhouse.
clad IN the garb of a felon and forced
To work on The chain gang for a period
of thirty. sixty or ninety days. or posi-
bly six months. What are his prospects
when discharged Not a penny in his
pocket, nor friend 20 apply 10.
Never ina the days of slavery We're
the negroes treated as cruelty. Instead
of prisons FOR such people there should
be places established with a view OF
giving practical aid and announcement
that they may become self-suppOrtlng
and laW-abiding citizens
In this regard Commissioner Macrar-
land calls attention 10 the presence OF
such a place in Washington in the
municipal lodging house. under the d.
tectiOn of A H. Tyson. where men are
given a chance 10 Worh for their board
and lodging for az least three days. OF
longer II necessary, and an opportunity
10 hunt work
Discrimination Is exercised. however,
between the professional tramp and the
horest maH out of work
Mr. DOwney recommends the establish
ment Of police magistrates in different
sections of the city I'm accordance with
the plan proposed seine time ago by
Major Sylvester, and jury trials for
grave onenses al the Police Court. This
Tlan has evoked varying opinions since
first proposed.
Mr. Downey also recommends the
rarGoEing power for the Commissioner.
which has already been urged upon
Congress.