In 1899 and 1900, a New York state special legislative committee named the Mazet Committee was formed to investigate the corruption of Tammany Hall.

The Republican-led state investigation took on a decidedly partisan tone, (some things never change) with committee members taking every opportunity to portray New York City as a den of filth and degeneracy. Among those called to testify was Joel S. Harris, a police investigator, who told of the goings-on at Paresis Hall, a popular hangout for “fairies” and “male degenerates”:

I was with Mr. (John R. Wood, another investigator) last night at Paresis Hall, No 392 Bowery. I observed the actions of the persons congregated there. I saw and heard immoral actions and propositions by degenerates there. Captain Chapman came in about five minutes to 1, as we stepped out. … We had been in the place about an hour or so; plenty of time for information to get from Paresis Hall to the stationhouse. Captain Chapman didn’t say anything to us, but I overheard him say to the proprietor … that he would not stand for any dancing on souvenir night, and he wanted it to shut up. I have been in that place before, recently, three or four times, and I have on each occasion noticed the same conduct as I have just testified to. That is a well-known resort for male prostitutes; a place having a reputation far and wide, to the best of my knowledge. I have heard of it constantly. I have never had any trouble going in. You go in off the street with perfect ease. These men that conduct themselves there — well, they act effeminately; most of them are painted and powdered; they are called Princess this and Lady So and So and the Duchess of Marlboro, and get up and sing as women and dance; ape the female character; call each other sisters and take people out for immoral purposes. I have had these propositions made to me and made repeatedly. There is no difficulty in getting into that place

Another witness who went to Paresis Hall “undercover” George P. Hammond Jr., also testified:

I know this place called Paresis Hall, and under your directions, I have visited it several times. I have been in the place since April 1st to the present time fully half a dozen times. I knew of it before, as an officer of the City Vigilance League. I am in the produce business. When this committee began its sessions I took a vacation on the produce business and came in to help you. The character of the place is such that what we call male degenerates frequent the place, and it is a nightly occurrence that they solicit men for immoral purposes. They have one woman who goes there they call a hermaphrodite. These male degenerates solicit men at the tables, and I believe they get a commission on all drinks that are purchased there; they get checks. I have observed five or six of these degenerates frequent that place, possibly more; the last we were there we saw a greater number than we did previously. Those five or six are always to be found there; almost invariably you will find them there .hey go from there across the street to a place called Little Bucks, opposite, and from there to Coney Island. I have never had any difficulty in getting in; not the least; I have been received with open arms. There are two ways of going in, one way up through the barroom, the other through a side entrance; anyway at all that suits you can walk in … They have a piano there, and these fairies or male degenerates, as you call them, they sing some songs.”

Paresis Hall was located in the Bowery on 5th Street near Cooper Union and was opened and operated by James T. (‘Biff’) Ellison. Ellison a gay gangster was affiliated with the Five Points Gang, and then the Gopher Gang did not attempt to disguise his establishment as anything other than a ‘fairy resort”.

Historical characters and locations including Paresis hall were featured in The Alienist by Caleb Carr.