The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-14
FEAG|N RESENTS
 FILINGS AT BILL Points Out How Another Boy
 Has Been Saved MEASURE IS ALL RIGHT Asks What Father Would Want the Bill Repealed If His Own Child
 Were the One Involved.
 The Pickett Case.
MEASURE IS ALL RIGHT

best friend of the young boy in Bir- mingham. champion of the juvenile court bill, judge of the inferior court of Bir mingham, makes a spirited reply to the attacks that have been made on the law which was passed by the legislature aft CT being presented by Col. Sam Will John. This is what he says:
 I find the following in yesterdays Bir- mingham Ledger:
 Ut is rumored that a number of the Jefferson county judges, civil and crim. inal, will unite in a petition that is un- l derstood to be in progress, and which | has as it's object the repeating of the | juvenile court bill Developments in the case of young Pickett, the boy who was turned loose Monday because there were no laws to hold him. and there were no probation officers to try his case, has since then met with responses from vari- ous parts of the county. parents com plalning that they want some protection from their degenerate children, but have no means of obtaining
 "Especially is this said to be true in regard to the negro race. Practically, it is claimed the juvenile court bill, as it will have to be applied In Jefferson county, will simply amount to the li- censing of young criminals to do what ever they want to, and in the event Of detection to be detained. not locked up Tn Jal, put SiIHpiS delhiucd, NilHOue learning useful employment, etc. Nearly all the judges questioned thought the law should be repealed"
 It appears that young Horace Pickett, boy Il years of age, was turned loose because there were no laws to hold him. Section of the juvenile court law pro vides that "the child must be committed to any home or school or reformatory in this state"
 This child was on yesterday brought before the police court of this city and on proof that he loafed and loitered on the streets of this city, that he besides had committed several offenses just out of the jurisdiction of the Birmingham police court and that his mother and step-father could not keep him at home or under control. the police court com mitted him to the Boys Industrial school at East Lake. putting him in charge or the city juvenile court officer, MT. l.. II. Putnam.
 Now, what do you suppose became of this incorrigible CD child of II years of age whose conduct was so terrible that his parents could not control him, Who was turned loose Monday upon this com munity because the juvenile court law said that he should not be committed to a prison or iail'' to be contaminated by the older and hardened criminals and inmates.
 That little, red-headed, freckle-faced, bright-eyed boy, full of energy. self will determination and daring as any Anglo Saxon youth in Alabama-that boy who has in him the latent possibilities GIT confined in jais or prisons with crimi- nals steeped in crime), of Jesse James or a Rube Burrows-that boy was taken in hand by Mir Putnam, to whom atter a long, heart-to-heart. confidential talK as to his waywardness. and the causes of the same was advised to quit ms o,.l nd O. a n. MT Putnam told him that he could make oood that he had the splendid elements of strong, sturdy manhood in nm to make an honest, upright boy and III tlfhe' after effort on his part, could De every inch A man-that education, character, success high achievement in life await ed him and finally said, T will do as you say, MT. Putnam, and Will go to the Industrial school at East Lake ana do my best" He was then gwen ms car fare, his own commitment papers committing him to the school uhth ms 21st year, and with his little grip ana scanty supply of clothing. and with hlgh homes of his own future of usefulness he struck out alone and afoot rom the end of the car line to the Boys Indus trial school to remain there untii ne IS released for good behavior.
 As soon as possible after his arrlVai n telephone message was delivered to Mir Putnam. after the lad himself had nresented his commitment papers 10 the superintendent of the school, saying that ha was there and all right.
 Here is one lad, youth with a prlsht future now before him, saved, py the good features of the juvenile court law from the damnable stigma of a Jal or nrison. where he might have come in contact with older and hardened crlmi- nals young and old. male or female, ana in some jails black or white. well or sick. in heart and soul as well as pooy to he further taught in the lessons or crime. - .
 1t ie said that some of the judges or the city of Birmingham will unite m a petition asking for the repeal or the juvenile court law" which law has gwen this 'incorrigible, profane. uncontrollaple child of tender years' his chance 10 make good"
 What father would ask for the repeal of this law if applied to his ehlidF
 When the case of young Pickett was brought to the attention Of the good women of the board of control or the Birmingham Boys club at their regular monthly meeting this morning. tWeohes day. November 1S). by the superii,eIloeIl and the newspap per accounts and cartoons thereon were presented, these laoies IT structed the fudge of the Birmingham nolice court to tender the services or their superintendent to the judges ana chanceIlors of Jefferson county to give a mart of the balance of the time now divided between the Birmingham 1uVenIe court and the Boys club, to act as the county probation officer.
 
 NEW INCORPORATIONS.