The Clueless New Bailiff
A newly appointed municipal bailiff attempts to arrest a theatre owner using only a subpoena, only to be schooled on the law by the judge.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Wheeler, the municipal court bailiff whom Mayor Ronald appointed on Tuesday to relieve John H. White, distinguished himself yesterday by attempting to arrest John W. Considine, proprietor of the Peoples' theatre, on a subpoena. Considine was subpoenaed as a witness in an assault and battery case up for trial at the municipal court. Bailiff Wheeler found Considine in the pool room of the Peoples' theatre and walking up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and said: 'I want you in the police court forthwith.' 'Who are you?' asked Considine. 'I'm an officer,' proudly replied the new bailiff, showing his star. 'Well, you'd better pin that star on your hat,' was Considine's sardonic reply. 'What do you want me for?' 'I want you on a warrant,' and Wheeler produced the subpoena. Considine looked at the summons and laughed and said: 'My dear fellow, you can't arrest a man on a subpoena. You trot along and when I get ready I'll follow and be in court in good time to give my testimony.' Wheeler insisted, however, that Considine should accompany him; but upon the latter showing a disposition to wipe up the pool room with the handiest man in sight the bailiff returned to the courtroom and carried his tale of woe to Judge Rivers. The judge took the pains to explain the difference between a warrant and subpoena.
“Well, you'd better pin that star on your hat.”
Public incompetence and the clash between heavy-handed policing and civilian pushback remain perennial Seattle themes. John Considine, later a prominent theatrical and gambling figure, would go on to have a long, litigious career in the city, frequently testing the limits of police authority.
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