Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-02-28
STAFF Correspondence of Gazette and journal.

DOVER, Feb. 20.-The Democratic
members of the Legislature held brief
conference this afternoon. Its object
was to endeavor to solidify the Demo-
cratic vote, to choose set of men to be
voted for in rotation and to vote solidly
for them. The conference did not ex-
coed half an hour. No action was taken.
NATIONAL GUARD COMMISSIONS.
Governor Marvl to-day commissioned
the following otiicers-elect of the First
Regiment, N. q. D.: Garrett J. Hart,
major; the Rev. Il. S. Munson, chaplain;
pr. J. Paul Lukens, assistant surgeon;
Evan &. Boyd, commissary. He also
commissioned Thomas 9. IIoguc as
econd lieutenant of G. Co., Wilmington.
OFFICE SEEKERS DISAPPOINTED.
The office of collector Of oyster revenue
will become vacant next Wednesday.
1t is rumored that the position has been
promised Walter Hendrickson OF Little
Greek. Heretofore the captain and crew
of the guard boat have been appointed
by the collector, but in this case, it is
said, the Governor will claim that right
and will put son of Captain Bacon of
Lewes in command Of the craft.
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADJOURNMENT.
Senator Records has been requested to
present joint resolution naming March
18th MS the date for final adjournment,
but he hesitates about complying with
-, the request.
Senator Alrichs has announced that if
the Senatorial squabble is not ended by
the latter part of next week he will offer
on March 1st and succeeding Fridays
joint resolution to adjourn from Friday
TO Tuesday.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
Two delegations, one composed of
George s. Mckee, Jr., Sylvester Solo
mon, the Rev. d. f. Waddell, d. d.,
and James B. Roberts and representing
he Association for the Protection OF
American Institutions, which represents
Ill tho patriotic societies in Wilmington,
and the other composed of Mrs. Charles
S. Rowland, Mrs. j. Frank Ball, Mrs. ].
r. Milligan, Mrs. A. Ii. Berlin and Mrs.
Alfred ID. Warner, and representing the
New.Cen.ury Club of that city, came
here this morning to advocate the COM
pulsory education measure. They were
accompanied by Judge Ball and Charles
$. Rowland, and were given hearing
this afternoon in the hall of the House
of Representatives.
Mr.. Mckee said the Association for
the Protection of American Institutions
represents 1900 voters in Wilmington
and 1000 in the State. He referred to
the large number of children in Will
mington who do not attend school and
presented in behalf of the bill petition
signed by about 800 persons.
DIR. Waddell said very large per-
centage of the children in Wilmington
and the towns of this State do not at
tend school. Many children are born
in houses and live in the streets. The
advocates of The bill hope TO reach
through it the criminal class. Our pub.
lie school system means something and
ought to be emphasized.
MIR. Solomon contended that the bill
would reduce the number of criminals.
He spoke of boys standing at threatre
entrances until IL O'Clock at night,
begging for checks, and said the measure
is designed to reach that class. He de-
clared that there are several thousand
children in Wilmington who do not at
tend school. lie claimed that nine
tenths of the people vino become
drunkards become such through ignor-
ance and asserted that compulsory edu-
cation would make better children and
and women.
Mr. Roberts said there are about 5000
children in Wilmington aud about
10000 in the State who do not attend
school. He contended that they ought
to be educated and urged that the ques-
ton of the cost of educating them be
not considered.
Mrs. Rowland said about 80 per cent
of the children in Delaware are out of
school and from such children will come
our criminals. She said there are in
Delaware $4,000 children who are be-
tween and II years OF age. OF these
297G0 attend white schools and 4,700
attend colored schools. About 1900
children are without education.
Mrs. Ball said Russia is probably the
only foreign country that does not have
compulsory education bill. Compul-
sorry education has been in vogue in
Germany since 1917. The same is true
of England. Italy has enacted com
pulsory education bill and Spain is
about to enact one like il. Twenty
seven States in this country have passed
compulsory education laws. New York
has Just passed one. As public-spirted
men and women we should not neglect
these children.
Mrs. Warner spoke on the line OF
economy and said two sets Of children
could attend one school,
CONCERNING YoUTHFuL ooNvTCTs.
Representative Killen introduced an
act concerning youthful convlcts. 1t is
as follows:
Sec. /. In any case in which person is
convicted, before any court in this State
of larceny, or false pretences, or any Other
offence not capital, and no previous con
victlon is proven against him. if it appears
to the court before whom he is convicted
that, regard being had to the youth, char
acter and antecedents of the offender. to
the nature of the offence, and to any eX.
tenuating circumstances under which the
offence was committed, it is eXpedienL that
the offender be released on probation Of
good conduct, the court may. instead OF
sentencing him at once to any punishment
direct that he be released on his entering
into recognizance, with or without
sureties. and, during such period as the
court may direct, to appear and receive
Judgment when called upon and in the
meantime to keep the peace and be of good
behavior: and the court may, if il thinks
proper, direct that the offender shall pay
the costs of the prosecution, or some por
tion of the same, within such period anC
in such iils,alments as may be directed By
the court; and at any time within sucl
period. but not afterwards the court NAV
ilpon being satisfied by information ol
oath that the offender has failed to observe
ANY of the conditions OF his recoSnizance