Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

"jolied" In his hands he ever held a
large, thick, formidable cane and on It's
ample head he rested his chin. Finally,
he fell asleep. The cane. with 2 crash H.
picking 1t up discovered that 1t was hol-
low inside and that the open space was
half filled with the pure rye which
the old Irishman loved mot wisely but
unsupported by the rest Of them. by
means of a small tube and an opening
in the top he was able to get an &C.
casional sip. Thus the time that hung so
drearily on the hands OF the others
passed pleasantly with him. The re-
venge Of the none too patient jurors was
a cruel one: the cane. In loving-cup fash
ion, made the rounds. When tho old
chap finally awoke and realized the trick
that had been played upon him. without
betraying himself in the slightest, but
with undue alacrtty, he signifed his
willingness to withdraw his objections
to the verdict.
One bright sunshiny day during the
past summer the writer made his debut
in a courtroom. No! Not as a witness!
an onlooker, alert and Interested. II
was q Thursday afternoon. Now, in
Criminal Court No. the Thursday after
noon session is given up to trying lunacy
cases. One wishing to avoid q pathetic
insight into the seamy side of life should
day of the week. For there is some.
thing infinitely sad about the mentally
deranged and unfortunate derelcts who
are brought before the jury to have judg,
ment passed as to their sanity or In,
sanity.
In reality. the room in which justice is
melted out is not an especially imposing
chamber; it lacks the glamour which sur.
rounds the courtroom as depicted on the
stage or in the popular novel. There i:
none of the SumptuOuSness about 1t which
characterizes that noted courtroom scene
all life and brilliant color and action, the
famous picture Of the trial Of the un
happy Catherine Of Aragon in the cour
of her husband. the much married
Henry VIII. The modern courtroom l:
place of business rather than Of show
The entrance of the Judge, the court
room monarch. is heralded by the crier.
"Rise, please" he commands: then II
an Impressive voice makes the following
announcement: THE court is now IL
session God save the government OF tn.
United States and this honorable court
Be seated, please"
Now. as to the patients. A policeman
on his beat observes a stroller wander.
ing aimlessly about the streets. II his
actions are such as to make the Officer
of the law suspect that he has no specific
destination in view, or II, on being Ques
toned, his answers are those of one un
balanced after being taken to the station
house, he is sent to the Washington Asy
lum Hospital, where he Is examined BY
physicians. Efforts are then made to 10
cate friends or relatives.
From the Washington Asylum Hospita
the patient. II adjudged insane, and i
uncalled for by friends, is sent tempo
rariIy to the Government Hospital for thu
Insane for treatment. and is kept there
until convenient to bring him into the cit.
for trial and formal commitment to st
Elizabeth large number of patients
too have been sent to the hospital upoI
the complaint Of relatives. Others, suffer
ing from alcoholism or some one of tn,
J various forms of decisions, go willingl,
in the hope of being cured.
Witnesses are put on the stand ant
questioned as to the former actions o
the administrations from the Washing
ton Asylum Hospital and physician, al
officer of the court, testify as to having
treated them professionally, expressing
, an opinion as to their mental condition
, in order to give the jury an idea OF tn
verdict that should be rendered.
A few of those brought in before TIL
= jury are noisy, garrulous and inclined t
: make trouble. If they show signs Of be
: coming unmanaSeable tho judge order