New-York tribune., 1902-03-03

WORK OF THE JUVENILE COURTS.
Washington March (speciaD.-The annual ses-
sion of the National Congress Of Mothers closed
yesterday with a business meeting and trip to
Mount Vernon. 1t is regarded the most success
full session ever held by the congress. Heretofore
there has been sentiment. frankly expressed,
that it a congress OF theory rather than
fact-aiming practical lines, but falling short
in the attainment But the Congress Of Mothers is
longer a theory. 1t is fact. All through the
session just adjourned the practical to the
top. On two lines alone the congress is proving a
strong living factor in broad. active work for the
betterment of humanity. Through State organiza-
tons, largely of mothers clubs the cooperation
of the home and school for the best mental moral
and physical training of children IS extending from
State to State. Establishing Juvenile courts. with
probation officers for the protection of boys and
girls under sixteen years of is second line of
work, more vital in Importance and deep
reaching in results The idea that during school
hours parents have responsibility. and out
of school hours teachers need give thought to
pupils, will away before the mutual interest
and helpful activity of parents and teachers work
ing together
The great good accomplished by the Juvenile
Court can only be appreciated by he contrast be-
tween the two systems of dealing with juvenile
offenders-the placing them in Jail with crim-
nails to await trial. and by such contact OFTEN
becoming as hardened as the criminals themselves;
the other placing them in charg" of probation Of
fcers, whose influence and effort is TO reclaim and
whose care does not always cease even aIter lFldl
and acquittal
If the new president of the National Congress of
Mothers Mrs Frederic Schoff. of Philadelphia, has
a hobby, 1t is the Juvenile Court, for which she
worked effectively in Pennsylvania. Before the
Juvenile Court was established Mrs. Schoff said
there were five hundred young offenders from ten
to sixteen years of age In the Philadelphia jails.
Under the newer system. with the influence of pro-
baton officers there fewer offenders. They are
made to that a trivial offence is not crime,
roolrr
self-respectng lives, the younger going back to
school, the older going to work. or into homes pro-
vded for them, is frequently the case when
the offender is young girl
Twelve States represented in the congress
at the session closed to-day. Three of these have
Juvenile Courts. and Juvenile Court has been
recently established in the District of Columbia.
With Mrs. Schoff's interest and enthusiasm it is
safe to predict that the widest line of work in the
congress for some time to come will be to get into
every State Juvenile Court.
On the other hand. Mrs. David o. Mears, president
of the New-York Assembly of Mothers Clubs. is
less enthusiastic the cooperative home
and school work. which she Will push with her
well known zeal and ability. Mrs. Mears. who de-
clined TO be a candidate for president of the Ma
tional Congress- later consented to fill the office OF
auditor, which Senator Delivers wife had been
elected, but which she was unable to accept. The
change came at the last moment. but it is none the
less gratifying to the congress, Mrs. Mears is
member OF the national board. The three vice
presidents Mrs Robert cotton, or North CaroHna
Mrs. Joseph Mumford. of Pennsylvania, and Mrs.
f. c. Grice Of New-Jersey. a strong trio, also
in full sympathy with the two lines of work. Mrs
Mumford is a member of the Philadelphia Century
ell OF Women; Mrs Grice. who Is president OF the
New-Jersey State Mothers Congress, takes for her
been associated With With the National Congress since
It's organization and Is widely known In her own own
effective philanthropes.
Several interesting and pleasant things were
crowded into the last moment or the session
PehaPs { S or Of onE
not TO be crowded at the last moment Among
reported. and the report as whole was adopted
Under the first resolution the retiring president
president of the National Congress for life. The
which Mrs. Brl.ey declined for the present saying
that if at some future time, Mrs. PhPee Hearst.
BILE, would share the title, she would then ac-
A resolution aimed at the fashionable life OF
children deprecated display and extravaganza at
life through descriptions OF chiidren's entertain
ments IN the newspapers and recommending that
therefore more healthful life for children;
everybody who had contributed to the success OF
the session and the pleasure of the congress which
at the White House on Friday: Mrs. a L. Barber.
in the week and Mrs John b. Henderson who
gave them a reception Wednesday.
filled by DR.. Sherman Davis, professor Of expert
mental Psychology at the Uniyersity Of Indana
Awakening" extremely interesting. a psy-
Geological study OF child life from five to fifteen
years. According to DR.. Davis. from ten to twelve
is the Sailing down stage of child life" He de-
Children must be fixed the soil. Give them gar
dens and animals to take care of, TO give them
home instinct and destroy the instinct of desc
Grating property. At fifteen the boy drops out Of
Sunday school. But at fifteen the boy is not in
corrgible.
Referring to reading at this age. DR.. Davis said
in regard TO library, that shipment of books of
the Thompson Seton type caused the number of
books of fiction read TO drop 81 per cent Children
must be brought nature. They must have
respect honest labor. That Is why the farmer s
boy is often successful.
Miss Clara Barton talked briefly OF her expert
ence as a teacher in early life saying that
spinster. many might wonder why she in a
times said spinsters are better fitted to bring up
children than mothers Miss Barton advocated
praising children for the good acts they do. rather
| than scoldipg them for their small faults. Mrs.
James c. Bolton. president of the Connecticut
State Congress- standing Miss Barton,
member always a good little girl in school
That the women of the National Congress OF
| Mothers will carry home delightful impression OF
| the White House was apparent at the reception
Of two hundred three hundred included not only
| mothers but grandmothers and pretty young
| daughters who went away with smiling faces and
| pleasant comments Mrs Roosevets charm OF
| manner. More than visitor declared 'She is
| inst as lovely and gracious she be-
An amendment to the bylaws changed the ses-
| sions of the National Congress of Mothers from
annual to riennlal sessions the board In the mean
| time holding annual meetings
| AT 4 WINTER FETE.
thaIr