The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-31
A HOME FOR STRAY BOYS.
RECORDER RAVENEL SUGGESTS
PLAN FOR ESTABLISHING ONE.

Police Records, Renders Re
formatOry NeccSsary-Gist of the
Law Under Which Benevolent As
sociations for Care of Maynard
and Homeless Children Are Form
ed.
The boys roaming the streets of Sa-
vannah may be restrained to some extent
very soon if some of the plans proposed
for their detention are put into effect. II
has been noticed by the poh2e
that many lads. who have parents, are
homeless, as well as those who are with
out them.
Recorder Raveuel has given the question
of Juvenile criminals some thought since
he has been in charge Of the Police Court,
on account of the large number before him
on various charges, none of whom, under
10 years of age can be legally punished.
The novel method of requesting the par
ent or guardian 10 whip their children
when arrested on a proven charge, was
the way Recorder Hartridge disposed OF
juveniles. While this did not apparently
have much effect in diminishing the num-
Der Of boys daily arrested by the police,
still it was considered wise way to dis
pose of such cases where the law speciti-
cally provides that a child under 10 years
of age cannot be found guilty of any crime.
The lash is NOT indorsed by Recorder
Ravenel, however, because of the fact he
finds no law that gives him the authority
TO ask that a child be whipped for violat-
ing the law, 1t is not understood that the
practice of correcting children al the bar
racks has been by order of the Recorder,
but by the willingness of the parent, who
much preferred to resort to this course
rather than have the child sent 10 higher
court to be discharged there, but 10 re-
main in jail possibly until the case was
heard. There are occasions where boys
are proven guilty of serious offenses, how
ever, but the fact they are under age, and
there being no one present authorized to
do the whipping, there is no other course
but to release the accused, who not I'M
frequently is arrested again in remarka-
bly, short order.
With reference to Furnishing boys for
crime, section "a of the Georgia code saws
that an infant under the age of ten years.
whose tender age renders it impossible
that ne be impressed with the proper sense
of moral obligation, or be possessed of suf-
hcient capacity deliberately to have COM
nitted the offense, shall not be considered
or found guilty of any crime or INSIDE
meanor."
The records at the barracks show that
the most serious charges, at least for the
last SIX months, have been against small
boys, some of whom are under 10 years
ot age. Anywhere from half to tWo-thirds
of the arrests each day are persons under
A s.1L1
of the burglaries in Savannah for the past
six months some of which have been of
the bOldest character, have been commit
ted by youngsters.
While The fires We're breaking out in such
rapid succession some time ago. there were
number Of small negro boys arrested
charged with doing the work So apparent
was 1t that one of them was implicated,
that he was released on account of his age
with the understanding he leave town He
left, but on returning a few days ago, he
was picked up by the police and lodged in
jail.
81 regret 10 say the police department
encounters more trouble with boys than
men," said Chief McDermott yesterday
My observation since taking charge of
the department has been that most small
boys arrested for stealing and kindred Of
lenses, are brought in again pretty soon,
and this process of releasing them cOntin-
then to the penitentiary Nearly all the
crooked people I am now watching, are
boys who come here for violating the law
and kept coming until they were confirmed
criminals, there apparently being no in
huence to reform them after they were re-
leased. AT all the police conventions in
Georgia l have made an effort to have the
matter of state reformatory considered,
but thus far it has been impossible to stir
up any interest. Other states have such
institutions, where boys are trained in the
industrial branches, educated, and freed
from the influences of being constantly
locked up in police stations. An institution
for wayward boys of tender age is badly
needed in Georgia, and particularly in Sa-
vannah."
Recorder Ravenel has a plan by which
three persons may charter an association,
and with little help, esta blish an insti-
tuition that would remedy what he con-
siders a growing evil. His idea Is to
charter it according to the law in such
cases, and then work in conjunction with
the county in getting the temporary use
of lauds and a place TO house the boys
taken up. 1t is not understood there is
any specific law authorizing the county
to devote lands or a part of its buildings
for a reformatory but it is stated it has
the right to provide for helpless people
which might extend to the case in ques-
ton without a special act of the legisa-
tUTe authorizing it.
Under the head of charitable institii-
tons for the custody of children, in the
code Of Georgia, section 1872. it is provided
that any three persons can obtain a char
ter for q benevolent institution by filing
with the Superior Court clerk, a declara-
lion OF the corporate name and objects of
the association. The association, when
chartered. has the right 20 purchase or
receive gifts of lands for its own occu-
patton or necessary use.
1.-THE directors or board Of managers of
such institution shall have power to make
bylaws and regulations for the govern
ment of the institution, and may control
the children under their care, and pre-
scribe their course of instruction and
management to the same extent aud
with the same rights as in the case OF
natural guardians"
1t is further provided in the act relat-
ing to such institution that the board of
directors may place such child by adop-
ton or at service, in some suita bic en-
ployment and with some proper person or
provided n a