Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-20

a SuSCcSSIut pTOOdUOn SupSrS1SiOH over
them 1t is indeed dfficuit for the police to
do so. The release OF more than half
grown vicious youths, having past offenseS
on record, with an admonition not to re-
peat violation, Is discouragin to the
police officer. and In all such cases release
should only bo granted after careful and
close investigation. by the probation officer
In conjunction with the commanding officer
OF a police precinct.
AT the present time many boys Of older
age regard themselves immune from
rest and punishment through defect in the
system. The Juvenile Idea is not a failure,
but there should be ample authority to
compel the parent or guardian to take
proper interest In the child. If that can
be done the present practice of warming
detention and trial in Juvenile court would
effect better results. The probation officer
should be member of the police force,
and there should be such number of them
as would meet the existing conditions
The Dependent Persons.
while every community includes persons
suffering from various weaknesses, there
are some whose demonstrations or pecul-
iarities at times demand more than ordinary
treatment and who become less responsible
for their actions from day to day Sym
patty for those with minds impaired and
love for those who have incipient disease
in most cases causes relatives or friends to
delay radical treatment until homicfdal or
How much better 1t would be to endeavor
to correct the trouble when first apparent,
with perhaps the advantage of youth. than
to wait until 1t had fully developed with
the disadvantage of age
while a grave responsibility rests on
those nearest and dearest to the ones thus
afflicted. 1t should not be forgotten that
there are many human beings likewise dis
tressed who have neither relatives nor
friends to extend them assistance These
dependents. when once placed in institu-
lions, should receive the most generous at
tention that means, patience and skill can
provide. 1t Is to be regretted that circum-
stances frequently cause the officials OF
asylums or sanitariums to permit partially
cured inmates to leave the same on fur
Tough or parole, and many patients from
asylums throughout the country are at
large without a certificate of clearance or
recovery.
Report of Sanitary officer.
"a sad commentary is revealed in the
report of the sanitary officer of this depart
ment. When one realizes the number of
commitments made each year to the Gov
eminent Asylum for the Insane. through
the police authorities, the figures are alarm
ing. In times of political other general
excitement. when questions of widespread
interest are published to the world. and in
prosperous periods when persons indulge in
excuses, many poor creatures with unbal-
anceO minus come mere from a1dT. anu on
occasions are aided on their Journey while
many others are from within our own bOr-
ders and the contiguous states of Virginia
and Maryland. Some of them are violent
others are not. 1t is difficult to determine
however, when the mldest type may be-
come the other extreme. In this eonnec-
ton it would be proper to renew the rec
ommendation previously made for recon-
struction of the cells and cell rooms at the
various stations, with view to affording
not only light and air to prisoners. but also
padded cells for the insane while tempo
rarily detained there. +:
Police Magistrates.
A subject heretofore given attention by
this department, and which materially con-
Germs the welfare of the citizens. is that of
Police Court trials. AS time advances and
conditions change the necessity for inn
prOvement in the system is more apparent.
Those interested have only to investigate
for themselves to know the awkwardness
which attends the situation, SO far as the
police are concerned. Last year members
of the force were detained at the Police
Court awaiting hearing of cases until after
II o'clock am, in 1 .716 instances. Not in
Frequently is there an arrest made during
the after hours of the night and the men,
Der of the force making it is not only re-
auired to remain on the street until after
o'c clock in the morning to finish his tour of
duty, but he must repair to the Police
Court without rest, perhaps without break
| fast, ana tnere remain until his case Is
tried. The merchant or professional man
may be taken from his business wit
ness. prisoner may be acquitted. but
not until he has been transported in van
or patrol wagon from the police station to
the court To remedy this situation it is
proposed that magistrates shall determine
cases at the several station houses every
morning and evening.
"While inviting attention to this subject
it is proper to refer to the embarrassment
which very often follows important trials
at the Police Court through the want of
provision for taking testimony in short
hand and it is urged that stenographer
be provided for that branch of the District
Work of Police Court.
During the past fiscal year there We're
Il, 1872 cases tried in the Police Court for al
legged offenses against the District of Co.
lumbia in other words, slight misdemean-
ors. and 500 cases where it was charged
that the laws of the United States relating
to the District of Columbia had been vio-
lated. 1t is estimated that one-third of
these defendants asked for trial by jury.
This being a privilege that cannot be de-
MED them. 1t would be necessary to con-
tinue provision for jury trials.
1T is the opinion of those best informed
that four magistrates, each of them being
assigned two or more precincts daily. could
dispose of all minor cases, or such as would
probably be presented to them for DISPOSE
ton When jury trials are demanded the
same may be sent to Police Court, which
should be retained for the trial of this class
of cases only, and thus avoid the delay
which is now incident to the system. In ad-
dition to hearing cases magistrates SHOULD
be required to keep a docket and swear all
members of the police force to the informa-
ton made out by them. Subpoenas for wit
nesses could be issued and served by the
police department at present.
THE salaries of these officials should not
be less than $3.000 each per annum, In order
that persons of undoubted legal ability and
standing might be induced to accept the
positions.
Regarded as Successful.
This system has proved successful
wherever inaugurated when the magis-
trates serving were men of unquestioned
ability and repute. The congested condition
of the business of the Police Court at the
present time is frequently the cause of re-
spensible persons refusing to prosecute Of
tenders in order to escape from attending
court. while so many members of the police
force are detained, as l have stated, await
ing disposition of cases, that on some days
the residents of whole precinct will be
protected by but three or four policemen
The loss of time by Doljceynep and atbar,