New-York tribune., 1905-08-06

authorities. Every day during the period of the
pantiff's confinement the said Reeves was per
mitted to visit the wards of the hospital and
harass the newly arrived patients with solicita-
tion of authority to begin suits. Our public
hospitals are maintained for the and relief
of the afflicted and not for the encouragement
of litigation
Just as the vampire cOnnives with hospital
authorities to reach the beds of the sick the
"steerer'' fixes things" with the court officials
20 get to the prisoners pen. Most times the
"steerer' is only the tool of the 'shyster." He
hangs about the police court, where he enjoys
unusual freedom. coming and going as he
pleases and always with eye out for some
luckless wight whom he thinks he can ensnare.
For instance. should "Or clo'es" man be
dragged in by police officer, charged with
some trivial offence, which the magistrate VIII
no doubt dismiss anyway. the "steerer' shuf1es
up to his side and follows him to the pen His
solicitations seem utterly to escape the notice
OF the copper" the courtroom attendants
and ne soon succeeds in making the terror
stricken prisoner believe that he is i'm danger OF
a long term at Sing Sing. After working as
fully on the poor creatures fears as he knows
how, he hints that for so many dollars he cam
get lawyer who will set him free Nine times
out Of ten his offer is seized at once, and the
strictly c. o. D.. the prisoner either pulls out
of some part of his clothing greasy bank notes
enough to pay the fee or directs the 'steerer
TO the street and address where the sum can be
obtained.
When the money IS safe in his pocket the
.steerer" is wont as a general thing, to walk up
30 the magistrate and say in low tone, Good
morning" or some other salutation appropriate
to the time of day. Then, going back To his VIC
Tim he will say: Did you me up there?
fixed il all right with him" To the magistrate
accordingly the 'steerer' appears to be some
solicitous friend of the prisoner. while 10 the
ignorant prisoner who most times cannot even
understand the English language he looks to be
, great oficial-Of even greater authority than
that of the Judge The case comes up The
'shyster' to whom the case has been steered
axes up the defence. He is entirely at his ease,
and had as soon lose as win In either case he
himself will not suffer. He has the money al
ready IL he wins he can say triumphantly Il
told YOU so" II he loses he can simply explain
that something went wrong" Indeed. in this
case ne has chance 20 get still more money out
OF his victim. If fine is imposed on prisoner
who is ignorant of English. the practice In the
Essex Market court is 20 hustle the prisoner 10
one side tell him the fine Is two or three times
as big as il is, get the money and out or IL
.ray the fine. The balance goes into the
"shyster's' pocket.
"A a rule the "steerer" manages To keep ont
az sight Ii is cnly rarely that his personality
is exposed A great sensation, Accordingly was
Stirred nm in the Harlem Police Court when
practising lawyer made the accusation that
Eases were steered away from him To other at
torneys and Magistrate Francis ; McAvoy'
who vas presiding promised that he would IN
vestigate the charge. Il made much such =
stir among the "shyster fraternity as did ihs
revelation of steering methoas psIorG SuuFn
Cowing OF the Court of General Sessions III
November 1898. At that time man accuse'i
or attempting rob woman of her purse WIS
brought before him. and IL was found that the
prisoners. lawyer was not present lhe a4Ieseu