Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-27
SCOTS RESPONSE
Occupant of Police Court Bench Discusses
Punishment of Children.
Recommends the Enlargement of
Commitments to WorkhOuse.

Judge Chas. F. Scott of the Police Court
has addressed a letter to the District Com
missioners on the subject of the disposition
of charges preferred against children IN
that court. Judge |. CT Nimball gave the
Commissioners his views In the matter in
letter to them several days ago. which
communication was published in The Star
at the time.
The Commissioners recently invited the
attention of the judges of the Police Court
to the dangers attending the Incarceration
of children in the workhouse and Jail, and
expressing the hope that their commit
ment to such institutions can in some way
be avoided. Judge SCOTS response was as
follows:
Your letter relating to the administra-
ton of the business of the Police Court,
addressed to the judges thereof and also
answer thereto written by Judge kimball,
were handed me some days since, and
have taken time to consider the subject
matter embraced in both communications,
because of the very great Importance in
Voived. | beg to express my appreciation
of the conditions at the WOrkhOuse ana jail
as unfavorable to the reformation of chill
dren of tender years. and my sympathy IS
with your desires, that their commitment
to those institutions should be avoided
whenever practicable. until such time as
IA Nledpii Sii1H nave Dcs7ii maui AOi
care.
Should Not Have Been There.
During my six months of service in the
District branch of the Police Court in the
calendar year 1898, having served in the
United States branch thus far in the year
1899. 1 observed that very many children
We're brought into said District court who,
in my judgment ought not to have been
there and would not have been had less
zeal and better judgment been exercised by
those making the arrests. or greater care
in preliminary examination been exercised
by those preparing the information.
In many cases where the charge of
petty offenses was sustained against the
children of tender years and it being their
first offense. / explained to them the dis
grace attaching to conviction, enjoined
upon their parents the duty of parental
punishment, and discharged them.
Other Cases.
in other cases of fragrant violations.
where proven, 1 committed to the reform
school or to the board of childrens guar
dams, or imposed fines, according to con-
dtions. In the United States branch Of the
court a less number of juvenile offenders
are brought in, and therefore | have less
to do with this class. I endeavor to dis
pose of them as the law provides, having
reference in all cases to the best interests
and welfare of the children, consistent
with proper enforcement of law. and al
ways having III view their reformation.
1T seems to me there ought to be con-
stituted some tribunal empowered to insti-
tute the investigation you suggest, and SO
equipped as to make certain and definite
the object had in view, for it is quite i'm
possible for the judges to perfectly do the
work. SO far as possible l have always put
in practice the course you name. but real
ize how little L can do where much is
demanded.
beg to urge the early enlargement of
both reform schools, in order that all
proper subjects may be accommodated
therein