Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-14
Fell Text Of the Bill which Has BecOm
q Law.

The following Is the full text of the "Act for
the protection of children in the District of Co
iumbia, and for other purposes" as finally
passed by both Houses Of Congress and approved
by the President:
BE IL enacted, de-, That from and after the
Ventlon of Cruelty to Animals for the District
OF Coiumb1a shall be known as the washington
extend its operations under this act to She pro-
tectlon OF children rs well as animals from
cruelty and abuse. In pursuance thereof the
said society may cause its proper officers or
agents to prefer complaints before any court in
the District of Columbia having jurisdiction, for
The violation OF any law relating to or affecting
the protection of children in said District, and
by It's proper attorney may aid in bringing the
FACTS before such court In any proceeding taken.
OF Columbia SHALL BY the police force of said
District aid the said society, its officers and
agents in the enforcement OF all laws relating
10 OF aHectlng the protection OF children; and
the commissioners Of the said District, and
their successors, are authorized, in their dis
erection, to- detail, from time to time, an officer
or officers to aid specially in the work of said
society, or they may commission any duly APP
pointed agents of said society special police of
hcers, without compensation: and such agents
or officers shall have power to arrest, without
warrant, all persons violating an their presence
or sgI1 any law relating to or affecting the pro
tecllon OF children, or other parties SO O1end1ng
by virtue of a warrant issued by the Police Court
OF the District OF Columbia, which offenders
shall be taken by such agents or officers before
the said Police Court Of the District of Columbia
Tor trial. Said agents or officers are also hereby
empowered to bring before the said court any
chlld who Is subjected to cruel treatment, Will
1uI abuse, or neglect, or any child under sixteen
years OF age found in house of ill-fame; and
said court may commit such child to an orphan
asylum or other public charitable institution in
the District of Columbia, with the consent of the
constituted authorities of such asylum or insti-
tuition, or make such other disposition thereof
as now is or may hereafter be provided by law
in cases of vagrant, destitute or abandoned chill
dren: Prortcted, That any parent, guardian or
sysrhn -aa1 NV
order of said court in the premises may appeal
therefrom to the Criminal Court of the District
OF Columbia.
See. B. That any person in the District of
columbia who shall torture, cruelty beat, abuse,
or otherwise willfuily Inaltreat any child under
tlle age OF eighteen years; or any person. having
the custody and possession Of Il child under the
age OF fourteen years, who shall expose, or aid
ana abet in exposing, such child in any high
way, street, field, house, clubhouse, or other
place, with intent to abandon it; or any person,
having in his custody or control q child under
tne age OF fourteen years, who shall in any way
ulSpose or 1t with q view to its being employed
as an acrobat, or Il gymnaSt, or cOntOrtiOniSt,
or circus rider, or u rope walker, or in any
exhibition OF like dangerous character, q {,
singer, or street musician; or any person who
snail take, receive hire, employ, use, exhibit,
or nave In custody any child of the age last
named for any of the purposes last enumerated.
snail be deemed guilty of u misdcmeanor, and,
when convicted thereof, shall be subject to
punishment by a fine of not more than $3.50.
or by imprisonment for y term not exceeding
two years, or both.
Sec. 4. That any person who shall entice,
decoy, place, take, or receive any female child
under the age of eighteen years into any house
OF Ill-fame or disorderly house, for the purpose
OF prostltut1on or any person who, having in
ms custody OF control such child, shall dispose
of 1t to be SO received, to be received in for
any obscene, indecent, immoral purpose,
exhibition, or practice, shall be deemed guilty
OF mlsdeneanor, and. when convicted thereof,
snail be subject to a punishment by fine of not
more than 81 900 or by imprisonment for a
term not exceeding ten years. or both"