“The city of Oldham,” he began, “has good cause to congratulate itself upon the wisdom of its city fathers--as that body of public-spirited men who comprise the city council has been affectionately nicknamed. Never has that wisdom been more strikingly manifested than by the framing of the recent ordinance regulating the use of cameras upon our public highways and within our public buildings.” The magistrate paused long enough to enable the reporters to catch up with him. Then he went on: “Like the sword, the revolver, and other deadly weapons, the camera is an instrument of both good and evil. In the hands of decent men it is a blessing to humanity. In the hands of the vicious it is a menace to society.” As the magistrate uttered these words, Chief Hodgins was so stirred that he clapped his hands applaudingly, and had to be reminded by his honor that such conduct was unseemly in a courtroom. “It is possible that the city of Oldham--always progressive--is the first city in the United States to enact legislation controlling the use of the camera,” the magistrate continued. “But it can safely be predicted that other cities will soon follow our example. They will realize that if it is proper to require licenses for dogs, firearms, automobiles, and alcohol, there is every reason why cameras should be licensed, too. For the camera is quite as dangerous as a revolver or a mad dog--when it is used by such reckless rascals as the prisoner at the bar.” Once more Chief Hodgins started to applaud, but managed to control himself just in time to escape another reprimand. “Your guilt has been fully established,” said his honor to the Camera Chap. “You are the first offender to be brought up for trial under the new law, and I am going to make an example of you. I am going to give you the maximum penalty, to serve as a warning to others of your ilk.” The magistrate was just about to pass sentence, when the mayor, in a whisper, reminded him that he had not yet given the prisoner a chance to say anything in his defense. The mayor had no desire to befriend the Camera Chap, but he wished the proceedings to be quite regular. Somewhat crestfallen at his blunder, Judge Wall turned to Hawley with a scowl. “Is there anything you wish to say before I pass sentence, young man?” he snapped. Hawley felt so sure that it would be useless for him to declare that the evidence against him had been manufactured, that he was about to shake his head in negation, when it occurred to him to ask to be allowed to examine the film negative which his honor still held in his hand. Although the chance was slim, he was in hopes that he might be able to detect something on this exhibit which would enable him to prove that he had not taken the snapshot. The court had no objection to the defendant’s examining the negative, and the strip of film was handed to the Camera Chap.