* (*Now abolished.) One by one the unfortunate
persons arrested during the previous night (although not
charged with any crime) are pointed out to the assembled
detective force, who scan them from beneath black velvet masks
in order that they themselves may not be recognized when they
meet again on Broadway or the darker side streets of the city.
Each prisoner is described and his character and past
performances are rehearsed by the inspector or head of the
bureau. He is then measured, "mugged," and, if lucky, turned
loose. What does his liberty amount to or his much-vaunted
legal rights if the city is to be made safe? Yet why does not
some apostle of liberty raise his voice and cry aloud
concerning the wrong that has been done? Are not the rights
of a beggar as sacred as those of a bishop?
One of the most sacred rights guaranteed under the law is that
of not being compelled to give evidence against ourselves or
to testify to anything which might degrade or incriminate us.
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