The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-05
The Poor Mans Court" Much Improved;
Chief Magistrate McAdoo Shows How

were old offenders. During 1913 SO
per cent. of the cases were repeaters,
which shows a decrease.
OF all cases finger printed 90 per cent.
of the men Rad been previously con-
victed and 81 per cent. of the women
OF course in this connection we must
bear in mind that all the defendants
In one of the night courts are women.
and, generally speaking, practically
for one offence.
In every case finger printed in these
courts W impressions are taken. The
extra copy is supplied to the Depart-
ment OF Correction, so that IL accom-
panies the prisoner to the place of
detention, thus furnishing a sure
means OF identification and preventing
any substitution or change in their
names by prisoners. This step has
been made necessary by the discovery
recently of a thriving trade among
prisoners by which a short term man
for u consideration would take the
name OF a .ong term man and per-
senate him at the institution.
l shall urge the Board OF Magis-
trates to extend the system of finger
printing to confidence men" and Other
classes of offenders.
Among those finger printed 94s5
were charged with intoxlcation. and
although the printing Of these cases
only began two years ago, 3,175, or 20
per cent, are already shown to be re-
peaters. This is an increase OF 10 per
cent. in such cases over 1918. one
nan has been finger printed for this
offence seventeen times. and one
woman eighteen times. and as the
years go on. with the present inade-
quate means OF treating such cases.
the number OF repeaters will un-
~doubtedly increase.
Nothing could show more emphati-
cally than this the necessity of the
inebr.ate home on the farm in Orange
county. As 1t is now. fining these un-
fortunates or giving them short terms
IN the workhouse or suspending sem
tence does not seem to have much
remedial effect. Those in whom the
craving for alcohol is a disease cannot
be benefited or cured by this method.
These are, however, the only remedie,
provided by .aw in the hands Of the
Magistrates.
During the year 1914 sos persons
were convicted and finger printed for
Jostl!ng people In public places for
the purpose OF picking pockets. and
although this system has been in oper-
alton only thirteen months forty-one.
or s per cent, were shown by the
prints to have previous records. I
am sure no Magistrate would fail 70
give the full term to a pickpocket who
mad a previous record. and as these
cunning rascals know that once they
are finger printed they are very care
full TO keep out OF the way and avoid
second or other conviction they Will
he shown no mercy.
believe hat this finger printing OF
p~ickpockets is one OF the best pre-
ventivc methods OF dealing with this
great evil yet found and that II Is
dreaded by these rogues more thar
anything else 81 careful are they
To avoid publicity that formerly when
he old time lineup at Police Head
quarters was in * they would
spend any amount of money to get
bailed out over night so as not TO be
subjected 10 the view OF the detectives ,
in h morning. and professional
hondsnen were strongly in evidence
ut that time To help these cowardly
sneaks from becoming known gen
orally To the police.
The cooperation OF the police and
the Magistrates, aided by the finger
print system. is getting excellent re-
suits IN the way of Riding the city OF
pickpockets. The pickpocket Comes