The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-24
HORRORS FOR soHooLBoYs.
Mock Trial OF Martin Thorn in Ono OF the Pub
lie Vacation schools.

A comprehensive lesson on the effect of dime
novel detective journalism on the youthful mind
has been learned by those members of the Asso-
citation for Improving the Condition of the Poor
who are concerned in the management Of the
Vacation Schools. A teachcrless class in School
%. in Norfolk street, left to the care OF an in
discreet monitor for a little while on Wednesday
afternoon, turned itself into n moot court to try
Martin Thorn by proxy for the murder of Will
liam Gioldsensuppe. After due trial they con-
victed Thorn and he was sentenced to death.
This was all done by boys who como to school
every morning with copies OF the yellow journals
in their pockets.
Tho class that constituted itself a criminal
court on Wednesday was one made up Of boys
Il and Is years old, the Oldest boys, in fact,
admitted to the schools. These boys have been
In the schools for a year or more. In the face Of
the present poverty Of the schools and the con.
scquent lack OF this is the class which, it
seemed TO Principal Emil Newman, could better
than any other DO put under a monitor for tho
greater part Of the time. Lewis Barenkopf. a
young man who was a student in tho vacation
who is u junior in the College or the
City of New York, was put in charge OF the boys.
mercial letter writing and ut elementary book.
Keeping until the regular teachers came along
OF written work he was told to let them debate,
and In "A general way he was advised to guide
them INTO SUBJECTS that would practice them
in The art of good citizenship"
When the monitor suggested q debate tho
boys shouted with glee. All OF them are men,
bers oil the boys clubs of which there arc SO
many in that neighborhood and whose names
arc variations on The Young Hebrews Litera-
ry and Debating Self Improvement and Social
Enjoyment Club" These clubs have mock trials
all the time of all sorts and degree. Most of the
cases considered by them arc damage suits, and
almost invariably the plaintiff RECEIVERS huge
damages. Divorce suits are not unknown. The
average east side youngstcr likes nothing bet
ter than TO play lawyer. Barenkopf asked them
what sort OF a debate they wanted.
Murder trial. they shouted, 1.-The murder
trial. He suggested that they try some other
sort o: a case. They wouldn't listen to him.
Murder trial! Martin Thorn!' they screamed
and they crowded up TO the desk. beside them
selves with excitement. Barenkopf said that
he didn't see why criminal trials were not
things that were likely TO come into a citizens
experience. and he told them TO go ahead. Tho
boys settled right down to business. Despite
his nnwil.in"Dess 10 serve. they elected a visitor
who was in the room judge. The stranger had
told Barenkopf that he wanted to know what
sort Of boys went TO vacation schools and how
judge and lind out. He did.
They elected Bnrenkopf District Attorney.
lie declined 10 act. They shamed him with his
having persuaded the visitor and then backing
for Thorn's lawyer Benny SieZel. a boy who
spends most Of his time on the back benches OF
Justice Goldfogle's court. Sammy Berliner was
selected from among a number OF excited aspi-
rants 10 represent Mrs. Mack. The jury was
selected and the trial went on, and the jury
Principal Newman and Superintendent ".
W. Locke Investigated the. trial as soon as they
heard of IL. They have forbidden debates in
future in monitors classes.