Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-24
JUDGE FAVORS
PROBATION LAW
JUSTICE CITES INSTANCES OF
GREAT BENEFIT
Young Man Who Now Holds Respon.
sible Position Saved From Prison
Cell by Its Pro-
visions

If anyone doubts the value of the
probation law he should discuss the
subject with Police Judge H. H. Rose.
Before Judge Rose assumed the du-
ties of magistrate he was a member Of
the district attorneys office.
Being a close observer Judge Rose
took notice of the effect of various pen
alties on various criminals.
The police magistrate delights in
telling how he assisted in convicting
some hardened law breaker or leading
the cause Of the state to victory just
as he frequently tells of his defeats
and his trials as young attorney.
But there is one thing of which the
worthy magistrate is duly proud-name-
ly, the number of unfortunates to whom
he has extended helping hand.
A district attorneys office is cynic
factory. 1t has tendency to harden
ones feelings. The thoughts of the
soul are uncovered there. And 1t Is
cause for great wonder that the men
who sit patiently all day and listen to
the troubles of the public do not be-
come calloused.
The office is much the same as an
Information bureau, or railway
ticket office, where questions such as
What time does the o'clock train
go?" are continually asked.
Many attaches to these offices be-
come accustomed to hearing heartrend-
ing tales that invariably turn out quite
opposite to the initial representation.
But few attorneys have time to
separate the good from the bad.
The story told by Judge Rose of his
actual experience in the Office of the
last case he handled as a district at
torney will show what, at times, can
be accomplished.
INr,Ia tc
always a busy day in the police court.
Attorneys, prisoners and judge seeks
to clear UP the docket of the week.
Judge Rose had just finished with
a tedious jury trial, but was still smil-
ing as he descended from the bench
and was asked by a reporter for a
human interest story.
Judge Rose thought for a moment
and said, "Well 1 can give you such
story, but it will have to be a story
without a name.
"The true value of the probation law
came forcibly to my notice today" he
continued. More forcibly than ever
before, perhaps, although 1 have al
ways been a stanch supporter of that
law.
Just a year ago I prepared to leave
the district attorneys Office. My last
case was that of young man charged
with burglary.
! "That boy was alone in the world.
He had no weeping wife, no widowed
mother, nor orphan to plead his cause.
1t was just a case of lad who had
burglarized house. 1t was his first
offense.
Had that young man had sufficient
influence through friends he would
never have been brought to trial l
dare say, so peculiar were the circum-
stances surrounding the case.
"I investigated the facts and found
that the time iterference of a COM
panion had led lhe young fellow to do
the crime.
''He was tried before Judge Smith
and when the time came / made plea
for probation. The judge took the de-
sired action and the young man was
placed on probation for year and was
told to report to me twice month.
1.-The first thing that the young fell
low did when freed from Jail was to
apply for position with large mer-
camille house. He told his employer
the story of his life and was given
place of trust.
He has reported regularly to me
since. In years time he has worked
his way up the ladder. Not once has
any one questioned his honesty.
To-day 1 received a letter telling me
of his promotion and also reminding
me that his probation was ended"
1T believe in probation