The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-01
JUSTICE IN THE CELLAR.

JUSTICE IN THE CELLAR.
Several weeks ago the Fire Commits
sioners of Richmond bought several
"respirator' helmets, designed for tho
use of firemon when engaged in their
perilous work. 1t is claimed that the
fireman wearing this helmet Is alb
solutely protected against suffocation.
The helmet was tested yesterday morn
ing with excellent results. The chief
Of the department and four captains
wearing the helmets, went into an air.
tight room in which three pounds of
sulphur were burned. They remain
cd in the thickcst of the smoke for the
space Of thirty minutes without dis
comfort and afterwards spent the same
period of time in d room that was fill
cd with the fumes of burning charcoal
without suffering any harm The
demonstration" was so successful
that the department. will be supplied
with sufficient number OF these life
saving devices to enable 1t to perform
the best service.
We would like to suggest that the
officers OF the Police Court and the
prisoners appearing before that tri-
bunal be also supplied with helmets
OF the same sort or some other equal
~ good device for their protection. 1t.
does not matter SO much about the
lawyers--they can take care of them
selves, and advise from the exterior
of the courtroom. Have you ever been
In the Police Court room IN Richmond,
while the court was in session, as Il
mere looker-on in Vienna. or as the
party Of the first or second part? II
is a disgrace to Richmond: 1t would
be a disgrace to any half-civilizeo
community. Dark. dirty, cramped, ILL
smelling, packed during the morning
hours with the flotsam and jetsam OF
humanity waiting for justice The
courtroom Is situated in the basement
of the City Hall Building. 1t has lit
| tie natural light, the ventilation
is bad, the dimensions of the room
altogether Inadequate and the appear
ance in no sense consistent with the
1 greatness and dignity and wealth OF
| this town.
City Council should provide immcd-
lately for the building OF a courthouse
to be used exclusively for the hold
ing of the city courts: 1T will have to
be done in few years, why not do
1T now and do 1t while there Is a
chance of obtaining Il suitable site
for such a building at a reasonable
price? 1t Is said that the old Fora
Hotel and the adjacent property can
| be bought for about 100000. and the
| city would be fully justified in taking
over the property at such a figure. 1t
| we have suggested It covers an en-.
tire block near the city Building, and
!. would be cheap at the price. Prob
ably it would be practicable to make
quarters for the Police Court until
such time as the erection of mod
crn courthouse could be undertaken,
and the Court be brought up out of
the cellar into the light of day, with
room enough for the Court to escape
from the suftocatlon OF the present
hole in the ground. We have an idea
that Justice, which ought to be BLIND
in sense, of course. could see how
to be blind Just a little better IL the
light Of day wero a little stronger.
Either there should be new court
room for the Police Court. or the Of
ticers of that tribunal and those who
have to so there on business or from
necessity should be supplied with res
pirators" when they enter the present
portals.