Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-01
WOULD PROVIDE FOR
THE JUVENILE
OFFENDERS
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY
WANTS NEW LAW ENACTED
Would Give District Courts
Power to Handle Cases of
Contributory Dependency
and Delinquency.
Morning Journal Bureau,
The Palace Hotel,
cnnIn L. n Al I'm .

Or. c. II. IuhtIS, superintendent
and secretary Of the Childrons home
society of New Mexico, has been in
Santa Fe during the past week in the
interest Of the establishment of a
home for needy and orphan children,
for which an appropriation or spc-
cial levy is sought, and in the inter-
ost also of a law which would give
thc district courts OF New Mexico
virtually the powers of Juvenile courts
as established in Colorado and many
If the other states. The proposed
law is a compilation Of what are
considered the best features in the
child court laws of the several states
and by those who have read it is con
sidered a strong measure. The bill is
a long one, but there has been much
interest in the proposed legislation
and a need for some law Of the kind
has been felt in New Mexico for some
time. The following are the more in
tercstmg sections Of the proposed law:
An.Act defining the powers Of the
several District Courts of the Ter
ritory Of New Mexico in reference
to the Care, Treatment and Control
Of Dependent, Neglected. Incor-
rigible and Delinquent Children I'M
der the age of Sixteen (6) Years,
and providing for the Means by
Which Such Powers May be Fxer-
cised. 10 Define Contrihutorv De-
tendency and Contributory Delin-
quency and to Make the Same a
Misdcmcanor ana to Provide for
~ - 49,. Is,slt.r
Thereof.
Whereas, the welfare of the terri
tory demands that children should be
guarded from association and contact
of crime and criminals, and the or
binary process of the criminal law
does not provide such treatment and
care and moral encouragement as are
essential to all children in the forma-
tive period of life but endangers the
whole fusure OF the child; ana
Whereas Experience has shown that
children lacking proper care and
guardianship are led into courses of
life Which may render them liable to
the pains ana penalties of the Grim
inal law of the territory. although in
fact the real interests OF such child
or children, require that they be not
incarcerated i'm the penitentiaries and
jails as members of the criminal class
but be subjected to a wise care, treat
ment and control, that their evil
tendencies may be checked and their
better instincts may be strengthened
and
Whereas, to that end it is important
fbat 4ln nprnr - fla ZnntIrtc In 20
spect to the care, treatment and con-
troll over dependent, neglected, delin-
Quent and incorrigible children should
be clearly distinguished from the
overs exercised in the administra-
ton of the criminal law; therefore,
Be II Enacted by the Legislative AS
scmbly Of the Territory of New
Mexico:
Section H. That the district courts
within the several counties Of this
territory, in addition to the powers
now conferred upon them by law,
shall have and possess exclusive orig
inal jurisdiction in all proceedings
which may be brought before them
affecting the treatment and control
of dependent. neglected, incorrigiblc
and delinquent children under the age
of sixteen C1G) years; and for the
purpose of this act the following dcfi-
nltions arr given;
%. The words "Dependcnt Child"
and Neglected Child" shall mean
any male child who while under the
age Of sixteen years or any female
child who while under the age Of six
teen years. for any reason, is desti-
tutc. homeless or abandoned; or de-
pendent upon the public for support;
or has not proper parental care or
guardianship; or habitually begs or
receives aims; or is found living in
any house OF ill-fame or with any
Vicious or disrcputablc person; or has
a homo by reason of neglect, cruelty
or d%cpraVity. on the part Of its par
guardian or any other person IN
whose care it may be, is an unfit
place for such a child: and any child
while under tho age of ten Cl0)
is found begging. pcddling or
any articles or singin gor play
Ing any musical instrument for gain
upon tho street or giving any public
entertainments or accompanies or is
used in the aid OF any person 50 do
Ing
60. The words "Incorrigible Chill
iren' shall mean any child who is
by its parent or guardian
with being unmanageable.
90. The words Delinquent Child
hall mean any malc child who while
under the age OF sixteen years or any
child who while under the age
'f sixteen years. violates any law OF
territory or knowingly associates
With thieves. vicious or immoral per
sons. or without just cause and with
'ut the consent of its parents. guar
iianor custodian absents itself from
Is home or place OF abode. or is
growing up in idleness or crime: or
knowingly frcqucnts or visits a house
n n%l-repute: or knowingly frcqucnts
pr visits any policy shop or place
where any gambling device is oper-
ited; or patronizcs. visits or frcqucnts
saloon or dram shop where in
.oxicating liquors are sold. or patron
or visits any public pool room
where tho game Of pool or billiards
s. being carried on for pay or hire.
" who wandcrs about the streets I'm
he night time without being on any
business or lawful occupation.
'r h~abluually wandcfs about any rail-
Dad yards OF tracks Or jumps OF at