The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-24
EURFEw FOR CHILDREN.
Spread of the Curfew Idea Through
out the Western Country.

WHICH tuc Snnufch Vi NeW AeiN Sees~ "NS
now threatened, and against which they
are organizing protest, has come to- be
accepted as a matter OF course In the
smaller cities and towns OF almost every
State west OF the Mississippi river. Per-
haps no movement In recent years has
spread so widely in the West and met
with such general appreciation as this
curfew law. IL was first introduced In
"a IA innesota town year and half or 80
ago. In the past six months curfew or
dinances have been adopted In various
towns in Oregon. Washington, Idaho,
South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Mime
sofa, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana. and
Georgia. The idea does not appear TO
have been generally taken in any East
ern or Southern State, although isolated
cases have been noted OF the passage OF
curfew ordinance In the south. But In
the West the ourfew idea Is spreading
at such a rate that II is likely to be adopt
ed universally soon in the States west OF
the Mississippi. Heretofore the large
cities have not thought 1t best to adopt
such law, although in many cities IT
has been brought up for consideration,
and In some cities curfew ordinance
has passed the City Council by small
majority and been vetoed by the Mayor.
Last Wednesday, however, Omaha, Neb.,
adopted the ordinance by unanimous
vote of the City Council. Lincoln and
South Omaha already have such an ordi-
nance, and so generally Is approval OF
the idea spreading that, with Omaha's
example. 1t seems probable that even
the big cities of the Nest will before long
revive the curfow for the purpose OF regu-
lating the habits and morals of the rising
generation.
An effort was made recently to bring
the subject to the attention OF the Legis-
lature OF New York, and to get II TO
take some action in the way either /of
the enactment OF state law or OF an ex-
preston of approval of the curfew prin-
ciple. Nothing definite resulted at the
time, but the news that a curfew ordi-
nance was proposed spread among the
children of the state, and various pro-
tests from societies of young people have
reached the Legislature and the executive.
lecently a strong petition against the
passage of such law was received by the
Lieutenant Governor from the Junior
Knights Literary Society of New York
city, which is connected with the gram
mar schools.
The general principle of the curfew or
dinance IL the same wherever they have
been adopted, but the ordinances differ
in details. The idea is to provide that
children under a certain age, varying in
different towns from Is down to 10 years,
shall not be on the streets of the town
after stated time, ranging from 1880
p. M, to y. m, unless accompanied by
a lawful Guardian. The penalty for vio-
lation of the ordinance, also varies in
different towns, but as rule ii is pro-
vided that the offender shall be taken
home by the police for the first offence,
and be punished by fine or imprisonmept,
or both for the second and subsequent
offences.
When the curfew idea first began to
spread, the suggestion of passing such an
ordinance was In many cases received
with ridicule It. was denounced as pa
ternslism in its worst form, because it
delegated TO the municipality duties
which belonged solely TO parents. This
argument was met by the statement that
the ordinance was directed against the
young hoodlurns that exist in every town,
who congregate on street corners and in
public places after nightfall, to the dis
comfort and annoyance of many peo-
pie and to. their own detriment, to say
the least, and often 10 the danger OF the
community. This argument usually was
convincing to the opposition. 1t WAS also
urged that the hoodlums exercised consid-
able influence in causing ordinarily
well-behaved children to become unruly,
and that good children were very apt to
be influenced to remain on the streets af-
ter they should be at home. Another ad-
vantage set forth was that the law would
be of great assistance TO parents who, un-
der ordinary. circumstances, failed to 'ex-
ercise proper supervision over their child
ren. Inc Cur1eW ORDINANCES ana lIS penal
ties could' be used as mild threat to en-
force obedience In the matter of being at
home nights.
All these arguments have been reiterat-
ed in the various towns W here the curfew
ordinance has been introduced, and very
much information as to the working of
the ordinance has been adduceJ. Usually
when 1t has been proposed to institute the
curfew the town officials have written to
the authorities in places where the idea
has already been in force some time for
information as to its results, and the in
formation obtained has been made public
for the benefit those interested. All the
testimony gathered from every town
where the ccrfew has been instituted APP
pears TO be in favor of the law. and il seems
everywhere to have proved successful and
gained general public favor. Even the
children are said to-be pleased with the
law. Ii is not enforced in an oppressive
manner and good dea OF latitude is al
lowed in its enforcement. In the event of
excursions or entertainments OF any kind
where the children are likely to be out
late, authority Is readily granted by the
Mayor for an extension of the curfew
time. Again, IN many towns, the law Is
not strictly enforced in the residence dis
tricts, but only on the business streets.
Indeed, the principal point of excellence
in the law is that it gives the police an
effective weapon against the young hood
luln tltHtDl anu II DltdUS Ol uehIlnR Win
the hundred and one little ebullitions of
juvenile lawlessness that break out after
dark on the streets of a town. A word of
caution, when backed by well-known
city ordinance, from policeman to
lettering or uuruly boy, or a threat to a
young hoodlum, has been found to work
wonders, and the fine or imprisonment
penalty OF the curfew ordinance has never
been inflicted in the great majority of
towns.
Throughout Minnesota the curiew or
dinance seems TO be on the same lines.
Children under 16 years of age are re-
quired to be at home by O'Clock at
night, or very soon after. Curfcw is
sounded by tolling nine strokes on The
fire bell OF the town. Any child found
on the streets after that hour unaccom-
panied by guardian may be arrested and
for the first offence taken home TO lis
parents ana cautioned. III arrested a
second time fine OF from three 10 ten
dollars, or imprisonment OF from three to
ten days IN jsil. at the discretion of the
magistrate, is the penalty.