New Britain herald., 1917-12-28
COLORED FAkIR
 HEAVILY FINED
Man Who Solicited Money Sen- ! tenCod to Jail for Six Months


 tleman with self-professed philan- thropical tendencies, was arraigned befere Judge James T. Meskill in police court this morning on two 1 charges; that of obtaining money from Frederick G. Platt under false pretenses and also of violating the law which provides that all solicitors for institutions must obtain a ceriil- cate of credence from the state board of charities. Raymond was repre- sented by Lawyer M. H. Camp and after much quibbling the colored man f1nally agreed to plead guilty to both counts. On the first count he wAs sent to Jail for six months and on the second count he was fined S1OO and costs and sent to jail for 80 days.
 haymond was arrested by Detective Sergeant A. J. Richardson on a War rant issued by Prosecutor G. W. Klett, who had been appraise oI the mans activities in this city. According to the evidence introduced in court the man hes been conducting campaign in this city. for various funds, among which was fund for the Utica Industrial Institute at Utica, Miss" which. he said, had been destroyed by fire. He also collected money to pay his own expenses on an alleged cha tauqua tour and for other alleged funds. Prosecutor 'Klett stated that from various sources in this city the man had collected between $15O and $2oO. Among those whom he visited and from whom he obtained contri- buttons was Frederick G. Platt, pres- ident of the New Britain Machine company. Mr. Platt donated s1O but
 
 Raymond's account book and, it was stated by the prosecutor, on the strength of these figures others in the city was induced to give larger amounts. Frank H. Afford donated $2 and this amount was raised to $20 with evidently the same purpose Mrs Theresa B. Stanley gave Raymond $10, and Mrs. Charles S. Landers also contributed a check for $1O to his fund. Rev. Dr. G. w. c. Hill was another who contributed to Ray mond's alleged fund. as did Edward N.. Stanley, treasurer of the Savings Bank of New Britain. A Mr. Witte- more likewise contributed $1O more
 Speaking for his client, Lawyer Camp said that Raymond has been giving series of lectures before the colored people of this city and has been working to establish club here for the fostering of moral and rclis- ious work and the betterment of en- tertainment for the local colored peo- pie. He has also been collecting funds for the southern institution, he said. and at the same time has been conducting his own lecture course. Some of his collections he gave to the school while others had to be used for his personal expenses. At the time he visited MT. Platt, Raymond told him he had but seven cents in his pocket. 1-t~,.
 According to information given out at police Headquarters, Raymond has been arrested before. It is said that he was before the police court in Hartford about a year ago and fined $25 and costs for an offense. Ray mond himself claims to be we'll con- nected and told Probation Officer E. c. Connolly that he is a lawyer by profession. being a member of standing before the bar in Pennsyl- vania.
 / The law under which Raymond was prosecuted this morning was drafted at the last session of the legislature and was enacted on the reconmenda- tion of the judiciary committee which was headed by Senator Klett, who himself prosecuted the case today. This was the first prosecution under this law in New Britain. At the time the law was passed a large delegation appeared before the judiciary com- mittee to favor its passage, setting forth that heretofore many fake so- licitors claiming to represent out of state institutions had been making practice of fleecing philanthropic Connecticut people. By compelling these solicitors to get a certificate from the state board of charities the public would thereby be protected and know that the claims made were bona fide.