New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-30
NIGHT COURT EVILS
How the System Works Injustice to Woms
in Spite of Humane Judges.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: IAN American Citizen" in his letter
published in your Sunday issue draws atten-
ton 70 a peculiar state Of affairs in the
women's night court at Jefferson Market
understand that the Brooklyn Bureau Of
Charities has taken up the question either Of
feeding the prisoners who, arrested after the
adjournment Of the magistrates courts, ara
held for srraignment the next day-or pro-
vding night court similar to the one IN
Manhattan, where, according to popular be-
lief, those arrested up to a. m have their
cases promptly disposed Of
As fairly frequent visitor 20 tho Man.
haitian night court, at jefferson Market, ask
the courtesy Of little space TO state the res'
sons which have forced me 70 the conclusion
that this well-mesnt institution, where able
and humane magistrates conscientiously do
their best. is dismal and lan.entable fsilura
especially II II be judged In the light Of sat-
isfactory results achieved.
The fault is In the machine, which is clumsy
and unwieldy and which obliges the opera
tors, be they ever so sklful, TO turn out a,
the best a bungled, clumsy attempt at cura-
tive justice.
The night court, as operated at prescnt, 10
neither expeditions, merciful nor even just
if under justice We assume the right of the
prisoner TO be considered innocent until
proved guilty.
Apparently the shortcomings OF the n,
court are realized by certain magistra.
but they are powerless TO do aught but
the machine TO the best Of their ability
Before advocating the institution in Broo<.
Ign Of night court similar 10 the one in
Manhattan, would strongly urge the mem
bers Of the courts committee Of the Brook.
Ign Bureau Of Charlie % visit the jefferson
Market court and see '. themselves chat i
is a failure, inasmuch
First-Officers Of the law, as "plaincloth,s
men," 90 out and incite women 70 commit III.
offence for which they then arrest them. Al.
though in this manner the officer becomes
ian accessory before the fact" no blame at
taches to him-on the contrary, his odor o.
sanctity apparently increases in direct ratio
TO the number of dupes he entraps.
Second The night court is not expedl-
tious, girls being often remanded 20 prison
for two days in spite OF their fearful suppli-
cations 20 have their case heard and disposed
Of Immediately. This is not due 20 nhu-
mainly or callousness on the part OF the pre-
siding magistrate, who often insists on the
delay in what he considers the best inter-
ests of the girl. 1t is due TO defective ma
chinery
Third-The night court is neither merciful
ror humane. The sight Of poor, misguided
oftentimes defective, girl-child OF II 70 10
among crowd of men, so scared that she is
incoherent, thereby still further trying the
-. l.
long familiarity with the practice OF the
court, forgetful and impatient OF her bewil
derment and ignorance, is enough TO con.
vince US once for all that, for the moment,
our methods are as inhuman as those CO N,
Spanish Inquistion.
Fourth-The night court is not Just Tho
unwritten legend above its door reads "Aban-
don hope all ye who enter here" The pris-
oner is presumed guilty from the fact that
her accuser is an officer Of the law. She 10
expected therefore 20 prove negative. To
do this she is sworn, she mounts the stasd
and testifes in her own behalf. She invar-
iably fails, and her conviction tacitly brands
her as a perjurer as well as prostitute.
Fifth-The work of the night court q
neither curative nor eficacious, as is best
proved by the fact that while women are
brought in for their tenth and twelfth con-
viction for soliciting an officer no womer>ars
brought in for soliciting on the complaint OF
other citizens, and while no men are arrested
for this offence it is impossible for any
woman. be she ever so decent in demeanor, 20
avoid being accosted or followed by man Il
she is alone on the street az night.
Although perfection is unattainaole, yet,
even now. much could be done 70 remedy con-
dtions which are anything but credit -
the first city OF the Union. Possibly Bro2x-
Ign will show the way w.
New York. June 20, 1915.