The record-union., 1893-01-17
THE WHITTIER BILL.

A bill has been introduced in the AS
sembly that proposes changes in the
Whittier Reform School that are such as
I'VE have advocated in these columns.
They would appear to be so Just and
benefcent that no mind should hesitate
concerning them. So far as the bill is
concerned, it being very long, it may or
may not be defective, but a single reading
of it impresses us with its soundness in
all its main features
These are, to make the name of the
school read ''The Whittier State School,
The purpose is, as we have heretofore ex-
planned, to remove the badge of disgrace
from the title, in order the better to ac-
complish the purpose for which the insti-
tution was established. There is nothing
gained whatever for the reformatory ends
sought by branding the school as a penal
institution, while great deal is lost.
Instead of permitting Justices of the
Peace to commit to the school, the new
bill requires that all commitments shall
have the approval of a Superior Court.
The magistrate is authorized to commit
for period embracing the minority of
the prisoner, and the governing board of
the school is authorized, for good con-
duct, to credit the prisoner by deducting
lime from the term for which committed.
The purpose is to give the school iuris-
diction over the boy or girl during minor
Ity, that it may act as the child's guardian
and be watehful for its welfare until the
period OF youth and danger has passed.
As it is now, the lads are sent up for spe-
ciGc terms, and at their expiration thew
must be discharged, and in seven cases out
often are sent back to the very influences
that originally corrupted them.
The scheme of the State is to reclaim
youths, to prevent them from becoming
adept criminals and confirmed in crime.
and thus protect society by prevention.
This is best done by enabling the school
authorities to act as the guardian of the
youth; to secure him or her employment;
to require reports from them when out of
the institution; to return them to it if
they manifest disposition to relapse into
vicious ways. This is by no means ex-
perimental, for Massachusetts, has sue
cessfully operated on that plan for years.
and to some extent so has Michigan.
One section authorizes the honorable
discharge of an inmate whenever the
trustees are convinced that the pupil has
so reformed as to justify this distinction.
Another section authorizes conditional
dismissal and parole, and under these
conditions the child may be bound out
to useful industry, the trustees taking
bonds that the youth shall be well treated
reasonably educated and wei taught in
useful industry. The time of conditional
dismissal is dependent upon good con-
duct and general deserving. But. of
course, under the conditional and parole
clauses the school may recall the scholar.
IS stated, at any time, when it is deemed
for his good that this should be done.
1t is provided that if tany minor proves
to be incorrigible and develops as an i'm
proper subject for detention in and bene-
ficiary of the school, he or she may be re-
turned to the committing court, which
may then pass judgment as for the orig
inal offense. For it must be understood
that all commitments to the school are
TO be under suspension of Judgment by
the court in the first instance.
When youth arrested for crime is be-
tween the ages of s and is he or she is en-
titled to private examination by the
court with a view of determining whether
a commitment to the school shall issue,
or the prisoner be held for trial and
sentence under the law. This is evidently
for the purpose of furthering the scheme
of reformation and saving the youth to
usefulness in society; for very often pub
leitx of the examination atfixes stigma
that never can be effaced, and that will
forever hinder and obstruct the effort to
convert the youth to right living. But it
is provided that parent, guardian or
legal representative of the minor may