New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-19
CIT Y ITEMS.

SrrIYr CHI pEys.-0ur readers VII have per
ceysd by cur Columns that the Managers Of the Amer
csn Femse Guardian Society ard Home for tee
Friend,ess pettoncd tie Police Commissioners. AZ
their meeting las. week. 20 appoint chdren poles
The condition OF immense numbers Of the children of
cur city, the influences by which they are surrounded
AID to which they subjected and wA.t
slal be the workings Of those Influences in the
formation OF character, constitute tn ,ue OF intel.
Importance to every citizen. Many of our wvr. cri.
mas are mere children II being no uncommon thing to
see them from nine TO twelve yesrs OF age in the cells
at the Tombs; indeed is seldom the Gaze that there
are not or less OF this dec rpon to be founi ,ai
eque ntly we have seen number Of cells Gro wdei
with them. The Warden las repeatedly assured u.s.
as have his assssr,s that Trey are b. far the most
troublesome and mcet difficult to msnage that eLter the
pristn. Their uniform testimony i. that thsy would
rather have the charge of fifty men than i've of these
bows. Mr. Halliday missionary of the Home for tue
Frendless, in presenting the petition OF the Guardian
Society took the grouLd that our streets are semina
lie, fer the manufacture of criminals through the
neglect OF paIents and because the laws are rot en-
forced. lens of thousands Of children are habtusly
in these seminaies, prosecuting their studies with sue.
cess never exceeded. There are laws which Also.
lutey prohibit the roaming ol children upon the streets
and making the duty OF all policemen and constabes
to arrest children so ourd ami yet, in almost every
portion of NewYork, and at all hours OF the day reg
ged and dirty these children are 10 be found ia swarms
II there be sale Of sugar, moasses cotton, OF any
other commodity, where there ia chance for stealing
boys aud girls in grea. numbers with baskets or pals
will be there, ard their conduct and conversation on
such occasions exhibit great attachments depravty.
The facts mentioned the presentation of tue peti
ton to the Commits show most cOncusvely the
necessity Of some action, if we would cave Ourselves
nom source Of mischief, the danger OF which it is
difficult. to oyerestimate.
From tie report Of the Board of Education it
there was registered as connected with the schools
under their supervision, 1861 scholars, with an av
ersge attendance CT more than 1871 there being
an abseuce of 81. S9 against attendance of 49, 49,
the average attendance of the year being bat frac
ton over third of the whole number. Another
astounding fact presented by Mr.. Tia isy is, tlat well
Informed sources estimate that there from TreHy
10 Sigty Thousand ckddren rLoily disconnected cuh
and nercr attending amy sckooi
This is most murderous state Of things, and We call
upon our authorities at to enforce the remedies in
their hands. Let entire community, including the 80
tens of Thousands of tiuart and street children b. it,
formed what the laws are aid ef the determined pur-
pose of the autboesto enforce them to the utternost
then let there be detailed email force OF the most
iudicous men that can be found, whose entire atten-
lion sball be devoted TO this work alone. There
bsrdy be a question that a proper notics to these
children and their parents of these points will lessen
the difficulty oneba aid at once greatly increase the
attendance On our schcols, while efficient and judi
cous ois the pant Of the officers cannot fail to
work most desirable reform. We hope the COmnis'
-iopers III Lot delay in this matter; ounce of pre-
veb,ion is better than pound OF cure; criminals are
being made with most fearful rapdity from among
these children and although it may he very difficult
thing TO work reform, il cannot be difficult it
will be to take cMe of these children five years hencc
when they stall have so terribly sweled the ranks of
pick pockets thieves. burglars, ncendiares, baggage
.mash hers, shoulder bitters, garOters prostitutes as
,sssus and murderes. Let the experiment be tried
Give III a Childrens Police.