Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-07
CARE FOR CHILDREN.
O'' ,''.enllns Cruelty and Providing
lof lGelr Custody and Control.
SHALL NOT APPEAR TOO xo,xc
No Child Under Fourteen to He EN-
pioyed rs RopewaILer, Beggnr,
Gymnasi, Contortionisf, or for
Any Improper Purpose.


Senate by Mr. Lovensten, and in the
House by Mr.. Bryant. is a measure Of
great importance. and is attracting con-
siderable attention:
BE it enacted by the General Assem-
bly, OF Virginia, That It shall be unlaw-
full for any person employing or having
the custody OF any child, wilfulIy to
cause or permit the life of such child
to be endangered, or the health Of such
child to be injured, or wilfully to cause
or permit such child to be placed in such
a situatloA that its life or health may
be endangered. or to cause or permit such
child 20 be overworked, cruelty beaten.
tortured tormented. or mutilated.
SHALL NOT APPEAR.
q II shall be unlawful for any person
having the care. custody. or control Of
any child under the age Of II years to
sell, apprentice give way, let, or hire
out, or otherwise dispose Of such child,
% any person IN or FOR the vocation or
occupation, service. or purpose OF rope
or wire-walking, begging. or peddling, or
as a gmynast, contortionist, rider, or
acrobat, In any place whatsoever. or for
any obscene Indecent, or immoral pUr-
pose, exhibition. or practice, whatsoever,
or for or in any business, exhibition, or
vocation injurious to the health or morals
or dangerous 10 the life or limb Of such
child. or cause. procure, encourage or
permit any such child to engage therein.
3. II shall be unlawful for any person
10 take, receive hire. employ use ex-
hibit, or have in custody any child I'M
der the age aforesaid for any OF the
purposes prohibited in the second section
Of this act.
g. Any legally incorporated humane So
ciety. or society Tor the prevention Of
cruelty 10 children. IL hereby empowered
20 become the guardian OF minor chill
dren. in accordance with the general
provisions Of law applicable TO the guar
dianshlp Of minors. The powers and du-
ties Of such society. as guardian Of minor
| children, shall be exercised and perform
ed by its officers and agents. and such soci-
| ETY. may adopt bylaws i'm relation thereto.
not Inconsistent with the general provl-
slons Of the law applicable to such guar
| dianships.
FOR THE CHILD'S GOOD
! .. Whenever it shall be made to appear
to any court having jurisdiction to ap-
point a guardian that any child under the
age Of IL years by reason OF orphanage
or Of the neglect crime, drunkenness.
or other vice Of parents. or other per-
sons having custody of such child. IS
growing up without education or saIutary
control, and in circumstances exposing
such child 10 lead dissoiute and vicious
life, such court may order such child
10 be committed 10 the custody Of any
| legally Incorporated humane society, or
! society for the prevention OF cruelty to
children, and such society Is hereby au-
! thOrized TO receive such child into its
| custody ana TO provide FOR ats care and
education In some suitable family or in
stitution OF instruction. Such society may
discharge such child from fits custody
whenever. in the judgment OF said So
ciety the object Of such commitment has
been accomplished. At any time before
such discharge said society may surrender
! such child TO the custody OF the court
by which such commitment was ordered.
In case OF such surrender. or in case
| there * no such incorporated society
! willing TO take the custody OF such child.
/ said court may make such order as TO
the custody OF such child as now is or
may be provided by law in cases OF
| vagrant, truant. dsorderly, pauper, or
destitute children. But nothing contained
in this act shall be construed TO oblige
any such society 10 receive the custody
the duty Of any city or town TO provide
for any child having a legal settlement
therein.
Such court may. al any time. on petition
] Of such parent or any other person. re-
woke It's order and restore said child TO
its former custody, or TO the custody OF
any other person. when It IS made TO
appear that the welfare Of said child
| will be thereby promoted. All proceedings
under this section shall be by petition.
after notice TO the person having custody
Of such child.
IN THE COURTS CUSTODY.
g. Whenever any person or persons
| having the care or custody OF any child
within the age previously mentioned in
this act shall engage, hire out, or use
such child IN or Tor any business, exhi-
bltion. vocation. or purpose prohibited
in this act, or shah permit the use OF
such child therefor. and shall be con-
victed Of the same, the court or masis-
trate before whom such conviction is
| had may. at its discretion. il he should
| think it desirable for the welfare of
such child deprive the person or persons
so convicted OF the custody Of such child
and thereafter such child shall be deem
ed in the custody Of the court. and
thereupon such proceedings shall be had
| az TO the commitment CUSTODY, care
and education OF such child. as are pro
vided for In section OF this act
Z. Any person convicted under any
o. the provisions OF this act shall be
deemed guilty OF a misdemeanor. and
shall be punished by fine. not exceeding
500. or by imprisonment I'm jail not ex
ceeding twelve months. or both.
8. All fines and forfeitures under this
act resulting from the complaint OF any
officer or agent Of any humane society
or society for the prevention Of cruelty
to children, shall be paid over 10 SAID
society. In aid OF the benevolent objects
for which II was Incorporated.
Q. In this act the word person" shall
be construed to include corporations
partnerships. companies, and associations
as well as individuals.
10. This act shall be in force from it.
| passage.