The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-20
TIE JUVENILE COURT.

Through the lines of the long and
somewhat tedious sermon included in
the supreme courts decision on the
juvenile court case. one gathers that
the act instituting the court is consti-
tutional, that the workings OF the
court have accomplished great good,
but that the procedure of Judge Brown
has lacked the ornate and beautiful
display OF red tape BETTING judicial
proceedings i'm this state. 1t appears
further that the court has no jurisdic-
ton over adults responsible for the
delinquency Of juveniles.
-
Most Of the courts dictum has been
anticipated I'm the broader court OF
public opinion. which decided long ago
that the Juvenile court is saving TO
usefulness boys and girls who. under
the old system. would have become
criminals and burden upon the state.
Every observer Of the court has seen
boys Influenced for good by the Judge;
apparently hopeless cases have suc-
cunbed to the kindness and gentleness
OF his personality; others who were
only hayward and unhappily situated
have been directed Alright without ap-
pearing In court; and hardly a case
has failed to prove the wisdom of the
legislature which provided this means
Of retaining children and youths who
would otherwise have made wrecks of
their lives.
1t is true that on one or two occa-
siOns the judge in charge has shown a
lack Of discretion, but such instances
are rare, even rarer possibly than blum
ders OF judgment i'm some higher
courts. There has been no faint Of
malice or of unfairness or selhshaess
i'm the administration of the juvenile
law on the contrary, the whole spirit
OF the court has been permeated with
the doctrine OF helpful unselfshness
and self-sacrifice. misunderstood,
harassed at times by the ignorant ana
vicious. almost alone at other times in
cases where public sympathy should
have rallied to his support. Judge
Brown has done great work, and he
deserves all the practical help and
sympathy due 10 any public servant
who has done a great work, and done
st well without hope OF personal re-
ward.
Every citizen of the state who is in
terested in the salvation of Juvenile hui
manity should rally around the man
who has inaugurated this excellent and
prsiseworthy work. and add voice to the
Astounding expression OF esteem Cor
what has been accomplished. as well
as support i'm the larger things remain
ing to be done.
Some Of the comment on the supreme
courts opinion seems to have been
based on misapprehension as to the law
affecting delinquent parents and others
who contribute 10 the delinquency of
minors. While the decision denies the
jurisdiction OF the Juvenile court i'm such,
matters, it i'm no way abrogates the law
administered by the district courts.
There is still a law with which to pun
ish adults who sell liquor, tobacco or CT
garettes To children: there is still a
law TO punish parents who refuse to
send their children TO school withour
proper excuse; the laws still in force
will reach any adult offender in these
and allied cases. The only difference
now is that adult deIinquencies will go
before the district court and be a mat
ter of record. whereas III the Juvenile
court the purpose was to reach Offend
ers by persuasion if possible and with a
minimum of publicity.