St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-19
WILLIS COMMENDED.
The Judge Is Endorsed in the
3 Child Labor Matter

The Judge Is Endorsed in the
|, Child Labor Matter.
Judge John w. Willis. of the Ramsey
county district court, has received a
number OF compliments anent the recent
charge and subsequent talk to the grand
fjdf0Ts on the question of child labor.
Below are given letter from the la e
superintendent of public instruction,
/ WHO now fills the chair of pedagogy in
the state university, and also one from
tho present superintendent of public
Instruction.: IS
b. Department Of Pedagogy. University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Mimi, JAN
Is. 1S94-Hon. }. w. Willis, st. Paul,
Min My Dear Sir: have read with
satisfaction the report given of your in
ftelEgent charge to the grand jury, and
ESQ loyal to 'the+interests of education Ill
our state. AZ 49,
Il We iustly4assu me that the 'inestimablel
privileges of our free government, and
tile provisions for the education of
youth. are so patent that all good citi-
zenS will appreciate them, and, most of
I all, that parents will see that their chill
dren receive full Benefit of our schools.
1t turns out to be sadly true in the ex-
pertinent that many parents are utterly
Indifferent to the highest moral and in
tellectual Interests Of their children,
and that others, men in business, are
willing TO traffic in the physical strength
of young boys and girls at times and by
methods that arrest all wholesome de-
; yelopment. physical and intellectual.
!. These children cannot speak for them
selves, and, therefore, receive no notice
| till they are ARRESTED for miSdemeanor,
ment Of patriotism is for a Stricter law
| i'll the protection of children who have
! these unnatural parents and employers.
] am pleased that attention has been
| called TO this interest by one i'll high
public position. and with the personal
| influence which your fellow citizens so
Freely accord you. In the hope that we
shall see tangible results in the near fu-
| ture, l am, very sincerely yours,
d. l.. KIEHLE.
State of Minnesota, Department of
Public Instruction, st. Paul, Mimi, all.
| us. lS94.-Hon.J. W. Willis, Judge Dis
| trict Court, Second District--Dear Sir;
Your recent charge to the grand jury of
| Ramsey county, instructing it to ex-
| anime strictly into all offenses against
| the statutes providing for the punish
ment OF those persons VINO impose upon
I children of tender years labor calculated
TO impair their morals or prevent their
:obtaining the education required by
law was, it seems to me. we'll timed and
! .'eminentlY fit to be made.''
| Ii the law is being complied with. no
| harm can result from the inquiry; if it
is continually transgressed, it devolves
upon the grand jury to take action in
| the matter. Should it neglect to do so,
| for the reason that 1.-The law is opposed
to public policy" it becomes the plain
lduty of the judge to call attention to the
fact that passing upon the utility of a
/! law does not fall within the scope of the
/ iury's duty. which. in the language of
| the law, is, Ito inquire into all public
] ofienses committed or triable in the
county and present them to the court"
/ If the law is contrary to public policy,
! let it be repealed. While it remains on
the statute book let it be enforced.
!YOurs very respectfully,
/ w. w. PENDERGAST.
/ Superintendent Public Instruction.