The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24

THE JUVENILE COURT.
Judge Stubbs's first annual report, COW
ering the proceedings of the Juvenile
Court. is a significant and interesting
document. No greater problem presents
itself to police authorities and 10 pro-
moters of educational and reform move
ments among unguarded youth than that
involving the handling of hayward and in
corrigible children. Something must be
done with them and for them, but the
question Is as to the wisest course. Mis-
takes may be easily made, and child
that is by no means a hardened sinner
may be confirmed in his evil practices by
harsh treatment and so develop into a
dangerous member of society. y boy who
is guilty of lawless, even criminal, con-
duct is not necessarily inherently vicious.
He may not understand the nature of his
offense. he may have lacked proper par
entail training and restraint and be VIC
tim of bad associates; his outbreak may be
merely an expression of the exuberant
energy of thoughtless youth. Even the
most carefully bred boys, as everyone
knows, often engage in destructively mis-
chieyous pranks. 1t should not be as
sumed that the boy of the street is more
guilty of evil intent in his mischief than
the lads whose social standing excuses
them from blame or causes the public to
look leniently upon them. Appearances
should not govern in matters of this kind.
Every should be examined in
dependent basis. Each boys natural traits.
his training and environment, his associa-
tions, his tendencies, should be carefully
investigated. and the method of dealing
with him governed accordingly.
1t is this work that the Juvenile Court
has undertaken to do, and those who have
watched it's proceedings cannot doubt it's
effectiveness. Judge Stubbs's report speaks
for itself A certain number of boys and
girls are found to be not amenable to ordi-
| nary influences for good. or their propen-
| sites are such that it is better TO put them
under restraint than TO leave them free
| to contaminate other children. They need
stern discipline, and to get it have been
sent to reform schools. But out of the
/ tOldi VI CASTS DIOuSHl tie
court the proportion cassed as incorrgible
and vicious. and so dealt with. is small.
| OF the 74O offenders 59i were disposed of
| without sending them to institutions. Some
were discharged on suspended sentences,
| some allowed to return to their homes
without further supervision, but the ma
| jority were placed under the care of volun-
| teer probation officers. These so-caled Off
| GERS are men and women willing to take
| upon themselves the responsibility of one
| or more boys each, of securing them en-
| ployment perhaps. of seeing that they at
| tend school. of establishing friendly rela-
| lions with and securing the confidence of
| the lads, of being ready to advise and
| guide-in short, of taking, in sense, the
| part Of parent or guardian TO waits who
have been treated with little wisdom or
| kindness in their earlier career. No re-
form work can be more effective than this;
in no way can the child be brought so di-
rectly under good influences The certainty
| of having a friend, the acquaintance with
a man or woman of standing in ryhom he
has confidence and who shows an interest
| in him, must be an incentive to any boy not
| thoroughly bad to so conduct himself as to
win that friends approval That it is
| such incentive and inspiration is be-
| ing proved in many instances in this city
| Volunteers who are giving their services
in this direction report willing co-opera-
! ton the part of their young charges
when once the confidence of the latter is
gained and understanding reached. Di-
| rect personal influence thus exerted can
accomplish far more than the enforced
| rules of institution or the general
moral instruction given by its author
| tiles.
The Juvenile Court in its first year OF
existence has more than justified its estab-
lishment 1t has made itself an element
for good in the community and is an in
| diSpenSable institution