The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

of aid We're gladly accepted when
the alternative was a night in a
prison cell.
1t has worked a much needed re-
form in this respect.
The night court stands between
these victims of circumstances and
further eXtortion. 1t also makes it
possible for the poor man to report
for work the next day insead of
languishing in a cell and losing his
job. 1t frequently prevents expo
sure and disgrace in the case of
first offenders, and sends them out
free from the stigma of being
locked up.
The millionaire from the avenue,
arrested for speeding his auto, and
the man who is down and out, meet
and mingle in the night court.
But not exactly on the same level.
veriest fraction in favor of the rich
At one end of the Enclosure there
is long bench worn smooth in the
few months the night court has ben
in session by prisoners sliding over
it.
That bench fascinates me. 1t
seems TO bear an intimate relation
to justice.
Through a door at the right the
prisoner enters, propelled by po-
liceman's hand. This is where the
bench begins. 1t ends opposite the
place where the judge sits aloft in
the dignity of his black gown-an
awe-inspiring figure to the mirer-
able creatures before him.
Another policeman, gorgeous in
blue and brass, waits at the far end
of the bench. His hand lands the
culprit, after he has slid to justice
down the bench before the judge.
A motor millionaire, noticed ar
rested for auto speeding, did not sit
on that bench. the policeman at
the door and the officer who brouhtg
him in treated him as a superior
being
Arrogant and prosperous this man
strolled around got up on the
bridge before the Judge, elbowing
lawyers and clients right and left,
snapped his watch case impatiently
and walken unattended to the tele-
phone.
On the bench was an old woman
in rags. She must have been so at
least. Her white hair was matted
with dirt and her tattered garments
were hardly sufficient for decency
they could not possibly keep ont
the cold night air. Her face bore
the imprint of refinement and she
carried herself with the dignity of
utter sorrow. She was hustled in
like vicious criminal, slid down
the bench with Cinnamon, negroes,
thieves and DRINKS. What terrible
crime, | wondered, could such an
old woman have to answer for, and
why was she treated with such con.
tempt?
Her only offense. | found, was
poverty. Abandoned after a life.
time of usefulness, she was home.
iNSo anu pNhiiiICSS. one Ildu Sleul
in doorways for three days and
three nights.
This is the richest city in Ameri-
ca. whose list of societies to Pre-.
vent This and That and Improve
the Poor would reach across the
continent.
She was sent to the island.
The rich motorist, It is hardly
necessary to state, paid his fine,
and with scowl strutted out.
New York lawyers tell me that
at the opening of the night court a
record was established OF a man a
minute. That seems to me a very
brief time in which to decide wheth.
er human being has committed
an offense or been falsely accused.
Prisoners are rushed to the bar
and away again so fast one can
hardly count them. And always
there is that long line OF poor. I'M
fortunate, sick, diseased and de-
fectlve humanity sliding down that
slippery bench.
How does 1t affect the prisoner.
the man or woman who comes be-
fore this man-a-minute court? Well,
you have only to stand outside the
little gate leading to the street and
freedom to hear muttered impreca-