The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1906-12-13
LANDLORD GE.
wee MONEY
TALES TOLD IN Po.
LICE COURT AT CHARLES
TON.

CHARLESTON, Dec. 1S.-That vice
in Charleston is profitable to a ia.
yored few was brought out in police
court when Mat Slaughter, the colored
woman who keeps a notorious dive,
was arralgued on a charge of renting
property for immoral purposes. The
woman was convicted, the city pre-
senting at evidence receipt given by
Mrs. Slaughter to Ida Campbell for
the payment of house rent for one
week.
The document shows that the
Campbell woman, who is now charg-
ed in police court with keeping a
house Of III repute. pays Mat slaugh.
ter $50 each week for house rent. The
Campbell woman was called as wit
ness and testified that in addition to
the sum above mentioned she pays so
much each week on some furniture
she bought from the Slaughter woman.
Mrs. Slaughter did not offer any
defense. Heretofore she has been able
to furnish bonds for appeals, but it
seems that political friends have left
her 10 her fate. She appeared to be
comnletely cowed and had not a word
to say during the progress Of the trial
Judge wertz questioned Chief Mon
tague anil Lieut.. McGrath, both Of
whom testified that the Campbell wo.
man had told them she rented the
place from Mat Slaughter. The
Campbell woman gave evidence and
identified the receipt which showed
that she had paid $50 for one weeks
rent.
The penalty for renting property
for immoral purposes calls for a
minimum fine of $40 and a maximum
5000. Judge Wertz imposed the min
imum fine, stating that others are
equally guilty and that all should be
be punished alike.
In view of the facts developed at
the hearing, Judge Wertz instruct
ed the chief of police to furnish him
list containing names Of all per-
sons who rent property for immoral
purposes and evidently there will be
something doing:
It appears that the owners Of the
houses used for immoral purposes
are charging exhorbitant rents and
that practically all the "vice money
eventually finds its way to them.
The subject is not one to be discuss
ed in the columns of family jour-
nal, but the condition revealed is so
shameful that it cannot be ignored
Woman who sell themselves to this
life are worse than slaves and most OF
those who pose as "lanlladies" are
infinitely worse situated. Practically
all the money reaped from the prac'
tice of vice is paid out for exorbitant
rents.
1t is alleged that one tenant pays
monthly rent of $3.50 and many
other instances of such extortion are
cited, It was told in police court
that one landlady bought a cloak
for one Of the women in her estab'
1ishment and on hearing Of It the
owner Of the house doubled the rent,
declaring that If the woman was able
to buy cloaks she could pay more for
the house.
If Judge Wertz is as good as his
word there will be some interesting
happenings in police court in the
next few days. Evidence Of this ma
ture is easily obtained as those who
are compelled to pay the high rent
ais are willing to tell about it in
court.
At the conclusion Of the Slaughter
case, the woman stated she would pay
her fine later in the week to Judge
wertz. The Judge directed that it be
maid to Chief Montague, but rather
than do this she wrote out a check
before leaving the court room. The
woman has no love for the chief.