The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-07

ulG6e the Jlne 8ICer WQlcQ Cl1lOIen
shall not be allowed in the streets at
night without proper guardianship
The law also provides that these cOun-
ellis shall provide for q bell to be rung
at or near the time appointed as a warn
ing. This is to be called the curfew bell,
and after it has rung any child found
lettering about the streets shall be taken
home on the first offense and arrested
and fined for the second Offense. This
law is now in operation
In many Of the smaller cities and
towns of states west of the Mississippi
the curfew bell has come to be looked
upon as a ma6ter of course. During the
past six months curfew ordinances have
been adopted in various towns in Ore
gon, Washington, Idaho. Michigan
Missouri Indiana and Georgia.
In the west the curfew seems to be in
great favor, and the idea is spreading
rapidly. Large cities have not adopted
it, as rule. a curfew ordinance was
recently passed in Omaha by a unani-
nous vote Of the city council, but the
mayor promptly vetoed it, and curfew
viii not ring in Omaha unless the coun-
ell overrides the veto Lincoln and
South Omaha have such an ordinance
which has been IN operation for several
months.
The working Of the ordinance is
spoken highly Of III the towns where it
has been adopted. Details Of the law
differ in various localities, but the gen
eral principle is that children of from
i s down to 15 years shall not be out on
the streets after a stated time, ranging
from 2 80 p. M to 9 p. m, unless ac-
companied by a proper guardian The
penalty also varies, but it is the gen
eral rule that the offender shall be tax
en- home on the first occasion and pun
ished for a repetition Of the offense.
The chief objection the opponents to
the curfew ordinance have brought is
that it is a revival of paternalism in the
most absurd form, and the idea has gen
orally been first met with ridicule. The
supporters Of the idea hold that it is to
be used mainly as q weapon against the
young hOodluns who congregate in the
streets and do all sorts of mischief I'M
der cover Of darkness. They say that it
is not 50 much the actual arrest of the
offenders as the healthy terror which
inspires a young ruffian when he IS
warned by policeman who he knows
is backed by an ordinance especially
framed for the case. In the majority of
has not been found necessary to inflict
the penalty Of disobedience as yet.
The idea is that the law is not to be
enforced in an oppressive manner but
is merely to be used by the officer in
judicious fashion In some cases, such
as where children have been on an ex-
cursion OF picnic it is to be ignored or
suspended by special permit.
In Minnesota the curfew ordinance
has been adopted in many towns. The
bell rings at 9 O'Clock in the evening,
and children under the age of is are re-
quired to be at home at that hour or
very soon after. The fine for the second
offense is fixed at from s. to $40, to be
imposed at the discretion Of the magis-
trate
In many Of the other western states
the eurfew rings earlier, either at
O'Clock or s 80. La Chanute, Kan, it is
rung as early as O'Clock A unique ad-
dition to the curfew ordinance Of
Pierce, Neb., makes it unlawful for any
boy when spoken to by any person to
return any other than a civil answer.
There must Be some very saucy boys IN
Pierce. S. p. SCHENCK.