The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-03-25
POINTS OVERLOOKED.

In the discussion OF the Juvenile
Court decision by Judge Lewis, there
has been some hostile criticism of that
| court that is unfair. but this has como
chiefly from those who were opposed to
the court In the first place, and whose
hostility was intensified when IL was
found that certain coterie of law
breakers and their defenders were not
10 have control OF the court, That
'ot OK coterio counts every new con-
dition imposed to help both the parent
and the child "a change OF mind on the
part OF the court" ard rejolccs at
every court ruling which initiates
against the power and usefulness OF tho
court
That coterio seeks on all occasions
and at every opportunity to belittle the
work OF the court, and TO hamper its
operations Those opponents do not
forget the good work of the court but
seek TO put in In the background And
many others. who unquestionaSly have
a kind feeling toward the court have
lost sight OF the most important fea-
tureS of the Juvenile Court act.
This is the probation system. Both
in the matter OF Juvenile and adult de
linqLent3 the purposes OF the court
have been under the probation condl-
tIons TO keep ielinquents from deten-
ton. Under the act the court finding
Il parent, guardian or any other person
guilty Of encouraging or contributing to
the delinquency of a juvenile. may
impose conditions upon any such per-
sons and so long as such persons shall
comply ther ewith to the satisfaction OF
the court, the sentence imposed may be
suspended"
A drunken father who by cruelty and
neglect has contributed 10 the delin-
quency of his children can be sentenced
for a misdemeanor, and serve a num- |
Der OF days In jail, number OF days |
may then be suspended pending his |
observance of certain conditions that |
he drink no more, support his family, |
send his children to school. a failure |
on his part, and the suspension of the |
sentence can be abolished and he can |
be made to serve his time. The whole |
conduct of the court is to help rather |
than punish.
Juvenile delinQuents are released |
from the State Industrial school under
certain conditions though sentenced |
until they are of age Some have stayed |
there four months. eight months two
years, some out on trial, and returned
two and three times.
The sentence of the court "in the
county jail for a period not exceeding
thirty daya any number OF which may
be suspended on certain conditions" is
but carrying out specifically what the
aw contemplates. a probation system
Tor parents and others who by acts and
habits are influencing children with
whom they come in contact to become
delinquent
So long as old adult criminal law and
procedure arguments are used In criti-
,ising the Juvenile Courts actions, so
,houl1 be understood that twelve other
states. Colorado and Illinois foremost,
administer this adult delinquency law
ind it is fl st becoming the most impor-
ant department of Juvenile Court
work, and by fer the most sensible.
1t takes a strange combination OF
orains that VIII commend a court for
little children and condemn 1t
or Furnishing the adult who Is respon-
;ible for the chlld's misdeeds.