The Washington times., 1903-11-20
Age OF Newsboys.


There should be an established age
for newsboys and an authorized certi-
flcare ef calling OF some kind issued
10 them. II should be of that kind
which would establish character and
stimulate them in their work. These
suggestions are made with the hope
that legislation may be had looking to
those ends
From a police standpoint. the pres
ent probation feature in the District re-
lating TO the disposition Of Juvenile cases
is not a pronounced success There is
no question about the value Of the sys-|
tenn. so far as ii goes. but it is not car
ried far enough 10 make its influence
effective. Boys are arrested nearly
every day who are thoroughly vicious
who should be confined in school for
correction instead of being turned back
into the streets 10 mingle with and con-
taminate yoInger boys. It is known to
all the INVADERS OF the police force
OF experience that there are many
youths in TIE District under seventeen
years OF age who possess the criminal
skill OF men, who live worthless lives,
and II is impossible to maintain a sue
cessful proba don supervision over them
AT the present time many boys of
older age regard themselves as immune
from arrest and punishment through de-
feet in the system. The juvenile idea is
not failure. but there should be ample
authority II compel the parent or
guardian u take proper interest in the
child.
Pe,ee Court Question.
The proposed system OF establishing
a number OF police magistrates at the
various police precinct stationhouses IN
Ta4sa aHa-fsa Co. 81
petty cases, receives urgent support IN
the annual report OF Major Sylvester.
In this regard. Major Sylvester saws:
a subject heretofore given attention
by this department is that Of Police
Court trials. As time advances and
conditions change the necessity for i'm
Irovement IN the system is more ap-
parent Last year members Of the force
were detained at the Police Court
awaiting hearing Of cases until after II
o'clock a. m IN LIS instances.
Not infreQuently is an arrest made
ia the after hours OF the night. and the
member Of the force making il is not
only required to remain on the street
until after 8 o'clock in the morning 10
finish his tour OF duty but he must re-
pair 20 the police court without rest.
perhaps without breakfast. and there
remain until his case is tried. The mer-
chant or professional man may be taken
from his business as a witness To rem
edy this situation il is proposed that
magistrates shah determine cases at the
several statfonhouses every morning and
evening.
Multiplicity Of Cases.
In the past fiscal year there were 49,
~ cases tried In the Police Court for
alleged offenses against the District OF
Columbia. an other words, slight mis-
demeanors. and $500 cases where IL
was charged that the laws of the Unit
81 States relating 70 the District Of Co
3umbia had been violated. II is estimat-
ed that one-third OF shese defendants
asked for trial by jury. This being
privilege that cannot be denied them
81 would be necessary 10 continue pro-
vision for jury trials.
1T IS the opinion Of those best in
formed that four magistrates, each Of
them being assigned two or more pre-
cincts daily. could dispose OF ali minor
eases or such as would probably be pre-
scented TO them for disposition 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 10 the system.
THE salary OF these officials should not
be less than s. 60 per annum, IN order
that persons of uudOubIed legal ability
and staining might be induced 10 ac-
Cept the positions.
This system has proven successful
wherever inauguratea when the magis-
serving of un0lggf toned