Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-12
CHILDREN AS PRISONERS
Commitments, of Minors to Workhouse Sub
Jeot Of Correspondence.
Letter From the CommissiOners and
Reply OF Judge KfmbalI-A
IT
Remedy Sought.

The District Commissioners several days
| ago addressed a letter to Judges Kimball
and Scott of. the Police Court inviting their
attention to the large number of very
young persons sentenced to imprisonment
in the Jail and workhouse in default of
fines imposed on them in the Police Court
The Commissioners suggested to the judges
that whenever a child under sixteen years
OF age is convicted OF any minor offense
against tho laws of the District, the penalty
ror which Is Imprisonment in default OF
payment of a fine. it would be within the
authority of the Police Court to hold such
child for further consideration.
Meantime the Commissioners further sug
sested the court might direct an inquiry
concerning the presence or absence of sal
utdry control and adequate support in the
chlid nome. In order that there might
De possessed full knowledge of the sur
apply remedy less Objectionable and more
permanent than fine or imprisonment
w henever 1t should be found that the child
Is homeless or deprived of adequate sup
pert, or habitually idle or disorderly. the
court. the Commissioners thought. could d.
rect the Hing of information. Upon
this new information the Commissioners
Suggested, and upon the presentation of
proper evidence. any such child could be
committed to the reform school or to the
board or children's guardians.
Judge KimbnIFs Reply.
A reply has been received by the Commits
sioners to their communication from Judge
kimball, in which he discusses at much
length the laws in force here. In conclu-
sion he expI esses himself as follows:
The suggestion contained in your let
ter would require the judge. where a child
under sixteen Is shown to be guilty of any
minor offense against the laws of the Dis
trlct, to postpone the further hearing with
OUT imposing a sentence and commit the
cnlld to the very workhouse complained of,
TO remain until additional inquiry be made
concerning the presence or absence of salu-
tary control and adequate support In his or
ner nome, or to give bond for his appear
ance.
urged against this suggestion 1t imposes
upon the judges, already overburdened by
the heavy work they are compelled to per
form-working not only longer hours than
other courts but every holiday-duties not
belonging to them. 1t is the duty of the
prosecuting attorney for the District to de-
termine what charge shall be made against
each defendant, and he has the whole po-
lice force to assist him. 1t is the duty OF
the judge to try the defendant upon the
information filed by the district attorney.
1t would require the judges TO take the
same action In cases which could not by
any possibility bring the child under either
of the grounds authorizing the commitment
to the board. of chlldren's guardians, If
surroundings of the child might bring him
within said law. if the parent was
ready and willing TO pay his fine
,5---:IAn Instance.
For instance a boy shown to be guilty
o. playing bah in the street, with father
ready t6pay the 81 or SO fine, must be sent
down offheld under bonds until it could be
found out whether his past life or sur
roundirgs would warrant his being charged
under another law and committed to the
board. - .
81 will not enumerate many other reasons
against your suggestion which occur to me.
l believe theIproper remedy is to enlarge
both reform schools so that they can take
all defendants who ought to be sent to
them, and provide a separate place 10 CON
fine minors committed to the Workhouse IN
default, Of the payment of fines, and that
in all cases where minors under sixteen
years of age are within the provisions Oh
the board of children's guardians act, IN
formations under that act be filed and tried
as are other cases