Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-02-15

In the course of the conversation he
was asked IL throughout his career at
any time, he had come to the conclu-
sion that 1t would pay him better to
work for n living than TO continue In
n life of crime. He said he had come
to that conclusion a few months before
committing the crime for which he was
last sentenced. AT that time he had
secured position at good wages, and
was doing we'll But the exposure and
hardships forced upon him by his way
OF life had brought on an attack OF
muscular rheumatism. and he WAS
compelled to quit work and take treat
tnent at the Hot Springs. near Ogden.
While thus engaged he mot two of his
former companions, who told him how
easy Il would be to commit n certain
burglary and get IN a single night
enough money to pay for a complete
course of treatment. He was tempted
by the fact that the brief treatment
already taken had greatly benefited
him; and he thought 1t would be pos
sible In few months more to effect
a complete cure.
The burglary was attempted. II
failed. The two men who We're most
guilty, and who melted to crime the
old man who was trying to reform. es-
capped. The man himself, crippled
and weak, was unable to flee. and was
captured. His guilt was apparent.
and he WAS convicted and sentenced
as above stated. His attempt at re-
formation came too late. The school
ing In crime forced upon him by an
unjust, indiscreet Judge. had made re-
form well nigh impossible. His ca
reer of crime might have been prevent
ed; but in his old age It could not be
stopped The time to save him was
at ten years OF age, not at fifty-nine.
] speak of this case thus at length.
for the reason that II illustrates better
thain any other that has come under
my observation, the value of the juven-
lie court as preventative of crime.
No boy at 10 years of age can be really
guilty of a felony. II is impossible.
His moral responsibility is not great
enough. But II even he could be, he
should not be placed under the en-
forced association and influence of
hardened criminals. II is the surest
way to place him beyond the power of
reformation. 1t is the one inevitable
way to make him an outlaw and an
outcast.
The other method-detention under
morol influences. instruction in useful
and elevating pursuits. the opportunity
of mastering a trade and securing EN-
ployment, and above all, the impress
sion made upon him that he is a future
best way to save the boy and make a
man Of him. And we are to be con-
graduated on the fact that we have our
choice between the two methods of
dealing with delinquent children.
The juvenile court system IS a means,
and ] think the only means. OF prevent
ing such tragedies. The law on this
subject, passed by the recent legisla-
tuie, definitely prohibits the placing of
children In jails or lockups, and pro-
vides that when declared delinquent
they shall be assigned to the care of
probation officers, who are to look after
their associations and attempt to lead
them away from evil into the paths of
peace. II they have any desire what
ever to lead lives of usefulness they
are encouraged and assisted; and best
of all, the means of doing so are pro-
vide6 II they do fall into evil ways.
II is due to their own instincts and not
t. enforced association. The case OF
Alexander Mckay is a demonstration of
the necessity of juvenile courts.
JOHN G. CUTLER.