The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-09
The Lower Branch of the City Coun-
Gil Acts Favorably.
ALDERMEN TO PASS ON IT.
Patron of the Ordinance Docs Not
Think That Any Serious Orposi-
ton Will BE Encountered
When the Matter Comes Up
for Consideration on
Tuesday Night.

Harry G Glenn. Councilman from -'auissoi
Ward is the patron, is almost certain 10
be adopted by the Board of Aldermen
next Tuesday might Mr.. Glenn mas been
assured by a majority of the members OF
the Board that they favor the measure
with slight amendment The only supstan-
tai objection raised TO the Ia" Is "iae
the provision requiring that the city bells
be rung is provincial, and should not
De effective in a city as important. dS
large and as fiourishins as Richmond
Councilman Glenn is not welded TO the
idea that the bells should ring All that
ae wants and is lighting for Is a safeguard
thrown around the children of Richmond
who, by reason OF their circumstances. are
permitted to run about the streets at
unreasonable hours at night, getting irsi
into mischief. then into petty offences
against law ana then into prison.
The position Of Mr.. Glenn was very
clearly put In his address before the COM
nor, Council last Monday night. when he
read extracts from letters received from
some of the lea ding ministers and public
officials here and from mayors and officers
Of other cities in which the curfeW IS
in operation. endorsing and commencing
the law and pointing out IT'S numerous
advantages.
THE MODERN CURFEW.
''The modern curfaw, declared MI
Glenn, rs not the same as that which
came into England with the Norman con-
uuest, nor that of the Puritan in the early
days Of New England; it is simply law
for the protection of children and IN the
interest of peace and morality. In adVocat-
ing this ordinance do so with no purpose
whatever of deriving the children Of this
rity of the privileges Of pleasure which they
are rightfally entitled to. but / do 50 tor
the good of the young children who are IN
the habIt Of roaming about the streets
and alleys at night L want to say here
shat the curfew law will not interfere
with any inherent right of parents 1t
viii assist them in dischaTging their duty
to their children and tho community Inc
pa-ent who looks after and cares Tor hls
children does not want them TO roam
the streets and alleys at night; therefore
Is not in any manner Inconvenience by
the crlrfew; But when parents are so in
different as not to care where their chill
sren are, then the duty of watching over
Them is forced upon the city. The curfew
will interfere with only those parents
who are Jnrnndful Of their duty There
Is not a man within the sound OF my
roice VINO will tell me that he wants his
rllild to run about the streets at nights to
mix with evil associations; &c hang around
he playJhouses, smoking cigarettes and
r!car sturnps begging for Checks to see
The show: going in disTeputabie places:
1ong-egating in alleys to shoot craps ana
play cards and breathe. as it were, the
very atmosphere OF hell
"A nan opposed to my ordinance, Sug-
rested to NE that he could control his
children; chat he did not allow them to
70 out at night. and he had nothing TO
10 with other peoples children or what
they did I said to him: We'll. my ordi-
nance cannot possibly interfere with your
family. You have your children under
la,,( hal, h Il q
those less fortunate. Do not let it be so
That because we are happy and conte1ted
HAT NC care not for others
81 .a.rtT THE CHILD RIGHT.
VIII the Boys, as they grow older and
became men be glad or sorry because they
we're Kept at home, made to study tier
lessons and receive a good education? Did
ycu ever know a man, who had the oppor-
iua!ty when a boy to receive an education,
but neglected il. but would endeavor to
Impress upon his children The great I'M
ncr.:rco Of applying their minds. to their
books a9:d 20 the things which would tend
10 lay for them foundations of high,
nar=u and intellectual structure?
Parents, as 4 rule, are willing that their
children shall have all reasonable time
for ,,iay and exercise. but do not want
them to loiter around public places. and
subject themselves to Influences. contrary
TO those which prevail in the home life
WHAT OUR PEOPLE THINK.
Councilman Glenn has received letters
from probably 2c0 prominent citizens OF
Richmond. many of them public men, and
below are extracts from some Of them:
Chief of Police Howard: 1T Will tend
10 keep children off the streets at night
and away from bad associations. and the
.ffect will be greater than NE anticipate"
City Treasurer Phillips: Il am Very much
In favor of a curfcw law. II will prove
p great help 10 mothers and to chill
fren.
Colonel John Murphy: The proposed
law is. in my mind, most commendahle
one. and can but rebound 70 the eIeva-
ton of the morale of city. 1 will be
glad to see the ordinance put into opera