Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-29

court several members OF Judge Delays
stan were present. including Court Officer
William A. Hickey. who has charge OF
issuing practically all the warrants
which leave the court and Probation Of
ficer John r. Dillon. who has in many
instances investigated cases where hus-
bands have failed 10 make the required
payments.
What are the causes for these non
support actions?" was asked
The principal one is drunkenness Nj.
Hickey declared. But there are almost
innumerable reasons. Incidence on the
part of the bread winner is one of the
principal causes. the husbands attentions
to other women. the inability of husband
and wife to adapt themselves TO each
other and interference on the part OF
relatives are the other principal reasons
Some of the cases which have come un-
der my observation-the distressing neg
lect OF a hard working honest. reputable
wife by a worthless husband might
say are shameful. 1t makes the blood or
self-respecting man boil with indigna
ton to realize that any one travelling un-
der the name Of man could be guilty OF
such things
Result of Early Marriages.
and l have noticed" Mr.. Dillon re-
marked. that not a small number OF the
cases are those of mere boys who have
nineteen years OF age. In the course OF
a years married life and after a child
makes its appearance. these youtllul hus-
bands apparently tire of the new condi
tions and seem 20 falter under the re-
sponsibility. There are disputes between
husband and wife over questions which
have never arisen before. These continue
and finally he deserts the young mother
and throws her and the child either ON
the community or upon the wife's rela-
tives. There are a large number OF these
cases, and IL usually requires severe
lecture and stringent orders 10 provide
support before the husband realizes his
duty:
There are other cases where a suit for
divorce is contemplated and where no
alimony is provided. In such instances
the payments made by the husband only
continue until the higher courts take
charge of the action and dispose of II.
Are there many acquittals I'm these
cases?" the court officers We're asked
Very few" was the answer. 1t IL
seldom that anything but a bona fide
case goes beyond the warrant clerk.
When acquittals do happen 1t is because
which did not develop until the trial.
Few Workhouse Commitments.
How about the workhouse commit
ments?'' Mr.. Hickey was asked.
Il may say there are very few of those
he answered. Il don't think that
there have been more than twenty
men in the workhouse at any one
time on such charges. The commitment
only comes, except in very rare instances.
when man refuses to make the pay
ments and is brought in on an attach
ment. When this occurs the suspended
sentence goes into effect
II was stated that the acquittals on
non-support charges would hardly exceed
or 8 per cent of the total number of
convictions. These. however do not in
clude what may be nominally called ac-
quittals when the court officers or the
presiding Judge effect a reconciliation be-
fore the case comes to trial. Though
few in the number such reconciliations.
IT was stated. with hardly more than two
or three exceptions. have been permanent
and happy The idea in reconcilng es-
tranged wives and husbands. according to
the court officers has been to appeal to
the parental affection principally and pic
ture the ideal home. The court officers
say that Judge DeLacy has been partic-
gravated cases. and point to them as OBJ
ject lessons In many other cases which
make their appearance in the court.
Must Take the Pledge.
Another factor In these cases is the in
all delinquent husbands who are liberated
oath to refrain from the use of intoxicat-
ing liquors for one year. The court at
tendants state that instances have occur
red where Immediately after the oath
had been administered to a husband the
wife requests that no other obligation be
imposed. expressing confidence that if
the husband keeps his promise there is
no necessity for other action to compel
him to support his family properly.
An examination of the law governing
non-support cases shows that a stated
sum has been annually appropriated by
Congress to provide the payment of 20
cents a day for the labor of delinquent
husbands committed to the workhouse.
For the past two years. according to the
officials at the workhouse, the appropria-
lions of $500 have been worked out by
prisoners In comparatively short time.
and there was a deficiency I'm the fund Of
$500 and LOO in the years of 1905 and
1907. respectively. Owing to the Increase
in the number of cases and the proper
tionate increase in the number of commit
ments the appropriation has been in
creased to 81. 400 for the current year on
the recommendation of Supt. Zinkham.