Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-10
THE JUVENILE COURT CASE.

w fDf NIVl'fA hENiAt'A hii' az Ai'ANF -
"Judge" Brown Of the Juvenile court
particularly IN reference 10 the Knox
case. and Is in accord with the salt
Lake press on the subject, Il urges
the busting OF the mar who has shown
himself TO be 50 incompetent for the
position. and II that Is not practicable,
tho abolition OF the law establishing
the Juvenile court 1t closes yigor-
Gus editorial with these remarks;
Repeal the law. and by so doing
Dust such q person. because he VIII
never resign: the place Is too big a
graft for him 20 let go. Repeal the
law, get him and those who think like
him out OF the way and let us give the
children Of Utah n square deal. Let
MS have Juvenile court conducted on
principles Of equity, justice, and above
all. decency. Let MS have statute
that will place some limits upon such
swell-headed persons as Brown. Watch
the next Weber county delegation In
tho state Legislature. Judge Brown,
aud note how quickly your alleged ju-
dicial head will como on"
We do not think there VIII be any
occasion to repeal. tho law passed al
the last session OF the, legislature, but
II will have to be amended IN some
important particulars We arc not
among those who advocate the abroga-
ton OF the statute. but are firm In
the opinion that the court should be
placed in competent hands. There
are lawyers of standing and ability.
who could occupy the position OF Judge
of that court with honor 10 themselves.
with credit 90 tho State and for the
benefit of Juvenile offenders In one or
two Of the Western States, where It Is
proposed to establish juvenile courts,
they are 20 be under the Jurisdiction
of the probate courts. which will In
sure some degree OF judicial ability.
and render them far superior TO the
kind Of a court we have had hero
ever since the law came into opera
ton
as to the ousting ~ the present In
cnmbent, providing he viii not resign.
We have already pointed out legal
objection 10 his incnmbency ON the
ground that he was not eligible TO the
office at the time OF his appointment.
The law provides that mo person shah
bc eligible 10 any office who is not n
qualified elector OF the city, This
excluded the newcomer and It was
pointed out to the commission M the
time Of his election, and also Of his
disappointment with n raise OF salary
to the limit This point ought TO be
tested In court of competent juris-
dictlon, unless other means are en-
ployed for his removal That he ~ en-
rirely UNIT to occupy a judicial Office
has beenrepeatedly and fully demon.
strated.
There was no doubt demand, or Ir-
gent request, for his appointment by
u large number OF respectable citizens
and this Influenced the majority of the
board In taking up comparative
stranger for the position, and passing
by large number 90 Utah attorneys.
"Nf"tN" WIN NpIiultloHa mere ana
having at least some familiarity with
the statutes Of the state ana the ordl.
nances OF the city.
The influence exerted In his behalf
was consequent upon the enthusiasm
which he aroused among number OF
boys In this city. which appeared 10
be In the proper direction tending to
correct bad habits and to induce them
10 band together for general Improve.
ment and make pledges OF future good
conduct. But that was IN the nature
OF what Is called "reylvallsn" in rell.
glous movements. 1t was not perma.
nent nor solid. 1t was a kind of ox.
element that attracted the public and
enabled him 10 cur dramatic figure,
with n view TO his own ends and aims,
The excitement has subsidized. his in
iluence Is gone He has played the
tyrant and IL regarded as Il nat foil
IRE. The public win not be satisfied
with his retention under any plea or
excuse.
In case Of his removal or resignation.
the people OF this city will demand
and have the right to expect. the APP
pointment OF a man OF problty as we'll
as experience; an exemplary citizen Of
sood habits and reputation. whose in.
fuenoe will be on the side Of temper
Rnce, honor, respectabillty and clcanu-
ness OF mind, person and language. and
who will BE- regarded by the public as
fitted for tho position. not by reason
of HIS subservience to any faction or
party. but because OF his qualifications
for the important office. II the chang,
IS not on these lines the present IN
cumbent might as well remain; but
there Is a general demand for his dis
missal.
If there are stumbling blocks I'm the
way of his removal under the present
status of the aw,or an improper choice
r. made again. then we win second
the motion of the State Journal and
urge upon the Legislature at its next
session, II not the abolition OF the law.
such changes IN II as viii meet the
needs OF the situation and place the
court In competent hands, with such
guides and restrictions as will prevent
the petty tyranny and outrageous pro-
ceedings which have rendered the court
up to the present date nuisance and
q stigma rather than a benefit. 4
change Is Imperative and It must be