The record-union., 1896-12-30

utes are general and run to all peace
officers.
This side contended that the society
should notify police authorities of cases
belonging to them and bend its energies
nsainly to work relating to unfortunate,
abandoned, cruelty treated and neg
lected children. On the other hand, it
was contended that the prime object
of the society is to- take cognizance Of
all cruelty that touches the soul and
corrupts the individual. AS one lady
expressed it, who prefaced her speech
by saying she is not a religionist, "the
hurt of the body Will heal the wound
to the soul may never be healed"
Tt was Contended that no matter what
the cause, what the environment, what
the circumstances, whenever a child is
operated upon so as to wreck its life
and make it a social dependent or a
menace, it is the duty of the society
to take jurisdiction and do all it can
TO prevent same. That while it must
not interfere in family quarrels. must
take extraordinary care not to become
the instrument of jealousy and revenge
on the part of others; while it must be
lynx-eyed for inposture, it must
against the rights of the child is vio-
lated, and whenever humanity appeals
to it.
To this the other side vigorously re-
Piled that the work of the society ON
the criminal side should be confined
to furnishing adults who are guilty Of
cruelty to children that others may be
deferred; that all other cases in the
crr,, J;e.+ -I,o h.
half of the police.
1t was answered by the majority.
which was large, that no such line could
be drawn; that the work was too
sacred to be cut by narrow definitions.
The debate which developed much
spirit and tender feeling. had a whole
some effect and ended with an agree
ment that a memorial should be adj
dressed to the authorities pointing out
that the State law gives the society the
right to expect and receive the assist
ance of peace officers and those over
them. That in most cases the society
has had of a criminal nature the civil
authorities could have attended to them
and knew all about them. That while
the society does not complain, while its
relations with the police are cordial,
and while it has had their aid to some
extent and their full countenance, it
will ask and insist that because the So
ciety exists civil officers shall not neg
lect any duty regarding rescue Of child
rem and punishment of offenders against
them, nor wait to report cases to the So
ciety.
That there is needed cooperation and
kindly and hearty working together, If
conditions are to be bettered and the
crop for prisons, and aims houses. and
reformatories. barbary coasts and dis
honor is in any degree to be lessened.
That the society is not on a mission to
correct all social conditions, nor eX-
pecting to work miracles of reform, but
will strive to lessen, so far as it can,
human suffering, and prevent some
children being driven into vicious ways,
and rescue others while there is time,
but for the incorrigible and those adults
corrupting children and the notorious
corrupters of young generally, it ex-
poets and solicits the active special aid
of the civil authorities and original ac-
ton also under their duty as defined
by the law. Messrs. Simon. Buck and
Mrs. Tufts were appointed a committee
to prepare and present the memorial on
some such lines, and the society then adj
journeyed for one month.