New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-17
FOR A CaILDREN'S COURT.
AN EFFORT BENG MADE TO REMOVE
YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS FROM De
GRADING SURROUNDINGS.

There Is possibility OF separate court for chill
dren becoming an accomplished fact IN this city
The opportunity is afforded in connection with the
general revision OF the city charter. and the i'm
po-tsnce Of the measure IS urged upon the public
by the Charity Organization Society, as It feels
kseny the necessity Of the support OF every parent
and o. every organization Of women in this city
irrespective OF creed. color or nationality.
L IS proposed that the childrens court shall be
held bv justices Of the Court OF Special Sessions IN
building which is already devoted to the tnvesti-
CATION Of destitute children by the Department Of
Charities
For number OF years prominent women work
ers II philanthropy have endeaVored 10 secure q
chiIdreu's court similar 70 those n operation IN
both Boston aid Chicago. Several years ago an
attempt was made IN the New-York Legislature
10 snnuI the Penal Code by providing a separate
court for all cases involving the commitment or
trial % children and this measure was ardently
seconded by the Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty 70 Children But through lack OF public
interest me original bill failed, and the law as
finally passed made the holding Of such court per
Missile only, and so far az known no advantage
has ever been taken by the magistrates. who were
thus given discretion
What VII be accomplished by the change from
the present system IS the removal Of the trial OF
youthful offenders from the degrading surround
ings o. trial for drunkenness. disorderly conduct
and serious crime. Those interested feel that this
Is especially desirable for children who charged
with petty violations Of city ordinances, or with
10 worse fault than the restitution OF their
parents-
Charities" the official organ Of the society,
says: An examination IN q courtroom where
only children dealt with viii inevitably be far
less Injurious TO the self-respect Of such children
thar trial IL police court filed with spectators
and occupied during the greater part OF the day
Sltn the disposition OF charges against hardened
criminals Special knowledge and souncer Judg-
ment would also come from the opportunity 70
specialize upon the disposition OF children"
gestec,' SAID Z who is working for the
under which the court If il IS Of the opinion that
ne welfare % the child viii be promoted thereby,
onoer for term not 10 extend beyond the date
y gton wnich such child would become eighteen
II the child has been convicted Of q mlsde
sentence and may allow the child TO remain under
ne care Of its parents guardians. subject 10 the
and oversight TO secure a fafthfuI compliance with
ne terms and conditions imposed, and IN this man
- you'd induce such training and direction as the
sl-lc may require This IS the plan with moolhce-
lo4s which is now being successfully operated IN
OoLz Boston and Chicago.
=. mere are often cases OF restitution in whlcn
mere Is not even pretence that the chIid mas
committed an offence Of any description Ihsre Is
-B-g z complaint made. proo2o4y Dy the cn--1 s :
80 mother that the family Is unable 70 CO &c
properly for the child We who are working for
Li---lFens court claim tnat there shoUlo O .
-seey means by which such cases as these, IT.
s:-Etng only restitution may be removed enuTeIy
-g cDGfl alo parents ol LIlose w - Da
SpIcatton directed 10 the proper Office OF the 70
slsc BY the creation Of separate cidrens coerI
~ ~ hear ne corresponding once OF ne L 80 n
men o. Charities is only one Of the minor aoF=I
IT is not certain IS Vet whether the object will
- attained through efforts Of the Charter OOH
-Aslon before The Legislature, or through ING ~
ssset action Of magistrates But we are nope
~ that the Charter Commission Will incorporate
le provision. and feel confident that II th h
hearty Endorsement OF judges religious and charis
s 2rsanza tons. and ali good citizens fa 10
- give IT bur passing thought cannyt .94i ~
see the vital necessity Of children's court