The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-04-06
JUVENILE COURT
WORK EXCELLENT
Missouri Law Journal Praises
Utah System and Salt
Lake Judge.
BUT LITTLE UNDERSTOOD
MUST BE DEEP STUDENT OF THE
CHILD.
(Central Law journal, 81. Louis)

CHILD.
Central Law Journal, St. LOUISE
There has rever been so much interest
manifested in Juvenile courts as at the
present time, and yet there is very little
known about them generally. The proper
administration of a juvenile court IS cer-
Tain not only TO reduce the expenses OF
the county or city wherein they are estap-
lished, but, more important still. 10 save
many a boy and girl from a criminal ca
rpcr 10 become useful citizens. For these
reasons il is 10 be expected that pro-
found interest in such courts VIII DC hldh-
Tested by the bar Of the country
We have Just received a copy OF the act
providing for juvenile courts IN the STATE
at Utah which is said TO be the best yet
enacted in arv state. This act seems adj
mirably adapted TO cover every situation
which may arise in such a jurisdiction.
The success of these courts depends upon
the qualifications of the judge as well
as the probation officers of the court. II
is the duty Of the probation Officers 10
ascertain what children are delinquent
in large cities and when necessary, have
them brought before the court and such
provision made as may be deemed for
the hest interest of the child. Many chill
tIren are taken from the custody OF their
parents and various methods of reform
rosoTted 10 i'm order to bring up the child
20 useful citizenship.
The Old Way.
The old way was to arrest children
guilty of crimes or mlsdemeanors ana
place them i'm jail with hardened criminals
and punish them by sending them to the
reform schools But now all this is be-
ing changed by the advent of the juvenile
court. Instead of having one rule for cor
rccti0n of all delinQuents, they are CLASH
fled and provided for according TO the ma
ture and extent of the requirements ascer-
tanned 10y the judge and probation officers
Of the court. Instead of rough and harsh
treatment, the delinquent is treated kind
lv. and In this way the better nature of
the child is revealed to itself; trust and
confidence is repOsed in it; ambition is
reused and progress in the right diTeC-
ton obtained. where hope had almost
IDtu abandoned of a reformation. In
many instances a child has been found to
Boo iu need of a doctor, and, when prop
Criy treated, RECEIVERS. An operation may
ha necessary, or some trouble exposed by
medical examination which may be cured
Instead of one mode Of treatment, as for
merly in the reform school, a half dozen
or more methods are put in use, with the
Iappiest results.
Judge Browns Work.
II was fortunate for the state of Utah
that il secured the services of Judge
Willis Brown TO interpret the laws, which
no one could have done who did not have
UNDERSTANDING CHlluTen
and their needs Only one man We know
of in this country, besides Judge Brown
would have succeeded so well, and I'M
fortunately he has not had a separate /
court. We mean Judge Lindsay, of Den
Yer Judge Lindsay is hampered by an
extremely bad political situation and. like
every man with advanced ideas he has
found opposition in his own city. That /
Judge Lindsay has given ideas which |
nave been II 1ncalculable benefit in the |
conduct of the juvenile court, no unbiased /
person Will ieny. He deserves high honor !
FOR II He was the first 10 open the |
door TO correct methods of procedure in |
such d court. A juvenile judge has DO
sltlon which requires peculiar and eX-
traordinary ability 10 make it a real suc-
cess. He needs TO devote his whole mind |
and attention to that one thing, so that |
u he has genius for that kind of work
il may be unhampeTed.
Must Grasp Child Nature.
There is ear less need for an extensive
understanding of law than for a deem
and comprehensive grasp of child nature |
and the natural remedies which should be |
applied IN order TO give the right direction |
TO me dellnquents mind. in these re-
spects Judge Brown is extraordinarily |
endowed de has had a separate court |
the first to be provided in any state. for
Mhlcn he himself is responsible in a large
csgTee, and the splendid results accom- /
pushed IN salt Lake City show the utility |
be done by man without legal training.
VINO understands how TO deal with chill |
drcn.
Equity and the Law.
Boston has recently followed the exam
pie or Utah, As has also the District of
GoilADld, IN providing separate court
II il is necessary Under the constitution
or any state TO secure a constitutional |
PROVISION for separate court, this should |
~ ny an means De done at once. We know
the arguments used by some Of those in
ltrcsled IN the juvenile courts which are
not separate courts but the misfortune
Is mat the opinions coming from such
sources are lot based upon comparison
between a court wholly given up to the
consideration of Juvenile affairs and one
Whicn exercises a general equity jurisdic-
uon and gives but small portion of its
Ume 70 the juvenile work. recently in
GUIDED in its scope, though equity had al
WAYS had jurisdiction OF this class as a
matter Of right
Utah the Precedence.
An unbiased view Of the work accom-
pushed in less than half the time In Utah,
Where the separate court is esta blished. as
compared with the juvenile court in Chi
cage would give Utah the precedence.
MS statement is given credit in the re-
cent establishment Of the separate court
u I Boston and Washington, D. c. Salt
Lake city has been completely trans
formed by the advent of the separate
Juvenile court with Judge Brown 10 give
u direction In order to understand this,
enc has but to have the fortune TO wit
ness the wonderful influence the express |
son Of his methods has on an audience OF
= yuildren between the ages of L and IS.
~ Is then easy &c understand why he has
51cComplished such great things in Salt
Lake City, Utah, in so short a time.
Method OF Selection.
The juvenile judge should be appointed. |
not elected There is no one matter of
greater concern to the state. We think !
nc selection Of such judge should rest
Win the governor of the state, the state
superintendent of public instruction and
ne superintendent Of public instruction
p the city where such 2 court is 10 be I