New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-27
ooMMITMENT on oHILDREN
PROTEST BY MR.. aERRY's SOCIETY.
OPPOSING THE PASSAGE or ME. HAMILToN's
BrLL-THE OBJECTIONS MADE.

OPPOSING THE PASSAGE or MR. HAMILToNf
BnL-THE OBJECTIONS MADE.
The New.York Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Children views with dkfayor and alarm the
bill introduced in the Legislature by Mr. Hamilton
relative to tho review Of commitments of children, and
has sent 10 the Legislature formal protest against its
passage The protest says that Mr. Hamton's bin Is
In tho interest OF the dangerous classes that its object
is TO overthrow law Of the State which has stood the
test of 100 years. and 10 paraEe tho powers Of the d.
rcctors OF reformatory Institutions for children
reviews the present law whiohis intended to aid dcst
tute and uncaredfor children! as well as those Of
vicious tendencies; tho methods and objects Of COM
mitment showing that these Oases always conducted
In most careful manner, tho child and witnesses on
both sides being heard before the child Is removed from
the custody Of unworthy parents or guardians. Tho
intention ri the law says the society quoting nom IN
opinion OF ex-cblsf Justice DAVIS, Of the Supreme
Court is not to punish such children, but 10 project
and provide for thor necessities with tender car'
The present right of review is hold TO DO idl and
sufficient and cases are given to prove that sch "a
tho case and tho protest further points out that the
claim that the bill Is approved by Justices of Ae gu
preme Court Is absurd; that IT Is hastily drawn snd In
crude terms, and sums up the effects OF the I'll Is
follows:
]. 1t upsets the whole law Of the State whh has
existed for hundred years without any Sneh nsn'
Of review. ~ ~. b.
2. 1t opens tho door for any Judge 20 pus p ha
judicial hand discharge any child from any insaaon
at pleasure and his discharge fl nnsi.
IL destroys the power and functions Of dlrecpfs o.
institutions who the only proper and impartial sons
competent 70 Judge from their knowledge oil me ehld
whether lts welfare demands rs discharge snd Wien
Z. II will compel accurate notes OF ell the testimony
10 be taken and written out and Med when the elo
eommtted as no provision IL made for the expense una
the institution receiving the child VIII have 70 eeT s
expense or run the risk OF the child being taken out ne
pleasure Of It's parents. q -.
& II win quadruple litigation in the courts, which
are already overcrowded with work. and double TO ex
penses Of the institution, which viii either have gave
up the child Gas the commitment becomes absolutely Faae
ess or else contest the fae which IL long, expensive
and vexatiOus process.
a The review can only be on paper. and hsnos only
on imperfect result attained by TIE judge who has % INC
witnesses personally before him, which was the Gag win
the committing magistrate. II he orders "rehShne
Il viii be next TO impossible 70 reproduce tho Wse>ee
and evidence. IL
4 .. I. will practically result in q general pm %
,tyeryH in all the Institutions especially reforpohies
having the custody Of children Every future 0mmiE
nRnt may be upset
g. II viii wreck ana ruin the lives Of hunareas Of
children who have been rescued from On amoshere OF
yies and crime land only hope Of reorAeon Is
continuance In institution where they are unaerRoms
moral aud religious training BY returning tAeh :" evil
lnnuesess.
0. It IL presented only AZ the instance Of senss'
toRa Newspaper anticipate eases Of possible nusaee
which have never occurred
10 IL oyerthrova the whole Of our ehd reforma.otJ
system which substitutes tho institution for ne parent
where the latter has abused the parental trust
IL And lastly II viii unsettie the Whole discipline
and system Of every institution having the carr OF ehi'
dren By rendering the custody Of the lhtsr uncertain
and dsmoniiTnz thoe who win constantly b. expeeanS