The record-union., 1897-01-27

any such narrow and restricted view
as seemed to be indicated by the first
speaker.
Mr. Beckwith agreed with Superin-
tendent ErleWine and held that there
could be drawn no sharp line in the
matter. Cases must stand on their bot
toms. Courts and officers should be
appealed TO where there is no other way
to get control of unfortunate children
to commit them to reformatories and
shelters 1t is not in those cases a dis
grace to the child to be detained in
prison. Under II a child cannot commit
crime. But it may be and often must
be arrested to reach its case.
Rabbi Simon held that there could be
no sharp line. All the cases reported
he knew of, and they had been followed
UP by his direction as Secretary, and
at enormous expenditure of time. Our
duty, he said, is to prevent. We cure
whenever we prevent. He declared
that the community would be amazed
had discovered. Children are in need
of protection from adults, adults from
children: but most of all, children from
children, and in some cases this latter
contamination comes close to the
schools. The greatest danger, he de-
clared now, is from child to child. He
gave some instances of what he meant
G. H. Smith held with the Secretary.
He wanted the officer to go on as he
had been doing and draw no sharp
lines. S c. Smith dreaded the effec5
of clapping little ones into prison with
hardened offenders or with prisoners
at all. He hated to think of 1T, loving
child life as he did. Some other way
must be found for detention prior to
disposal. Rev. Mr.. Mel, after an eX
haustive statement of the case, declared
that a refuge home is needed, and
asked if none of the churches had any
such an institution. Mr.. Erlewire
thought the society could not undertake
to erect a home Mr.. Mel replied he
meant a temporary place, not a re-
formatory; and asked if the Salvation
Army could not be induced to under
take the care Of such a place for the
society
Mr.. Woodson said that such a place
was needed, but it wanted a good
Matron and a kind man, but with a
club, to superintend it, if some of the
cases are to be detained. He thought
the jail is the place as matters now
stand agreeable as such a thing may
be. Mrs. Cushman inquired about treat
ment of cases where liquor is sold to
children, and Mr.. BeckWith explained
the law
Mrs. Hubbard related her futile ex
periences long ago in attempting to get
a woman's ward and hospital and de-
tentiom quarters with a woman in
charge for the City Prison, and spoke
feelingly of the need of such a place
for women and children who must be
detained. Statistics We're read showing
how Sam Francisco and Alameda
Counties dispose of children rescued, by
distribution among some twenty five
charitable societies, church and lodge
societies, and the like.
Mr.. Healy said the Sacramento so
ciety has children in the Foundlings'
Home, the Orphan Asylum, in Beulah
Home. and at Whittier School. Mrs.
Parsons thought the people here would
be willing to help provide a place of
temporary shelter and detention. Mr..
BeckWith spoke of a terribly bad and
awfully revolving case in which the
law seems powerless, and yet there is
absolute need that the Infamous place
devoted to most foully corroupting chill
dren should be broken up, root and
branch
The debate was long and spirited and
resulted in ordering the directory to
consult and report relative TO estab-
fishing a temporary shelter. It's atten-
ton was directed to the Foundlings'
Home. with possible thought of build
ing on a room at that place. if its pro-
moters would permit as a shelter.
The members were asked to aid the
Legislative Committee of the late State
Humane Society Convention in
securing legislative support for
the Humane Society bills before
the Senate and Assembly. The
meeting agreed that it would be wise
to withdraw the bill relative to amend
ment of the law concerning children
visiting places where liquor is sold,
when accompanied by guardian or
parent, as it is found that it would, if
amended, operate in directions not
aimed at, and not intended TO be in
cluded in the measure.
The following new members were
elected: Miss Annie j. Neary, Mrs NJ
d. Merrill Miss Annie L. Tindall E, P
Howe Jr., r. p. Pennybacker. Mrs
II. Weinstock. DR.. Metcalf. Joseph
Misses Helen and Alice Wein-
stock, Mrs. c. H. Smith, Masters Rob-
ert and Walter Weinstock, Miss Mabel
Deming, Arthur Miller, George Wiss-
mann. The society roster is now
mounting towards 800 members. and it
is the hope that it will touch the 800
mark before the winter is over