Evening journal., 1910-02-08
DIR. KELLOGG ON
CHILD PROBLEM
Makes Stirring Plea Before
Ministers For the Helpless
and DefenSeIeSS

ntu DNANAaNANa6
At the monthly meeting of the Minis [
terial Union in ST. Pauis NJ. &c. Church
Yesterday morning the Rev. DR.. Hiram /
W. Kellogg. pastor OF Grace NJ. z.
Church. was one Of several speakers who |
treated OF delinquency among children. A |
synopsis of his address appeared in yes
terday's Journal, but his address in fun is
given herewith;
81 speak to-day for the helpless, bruised
and defenseless-the delinquent child-for |
whom the cold world has little thought !
except 10 dispose of him in the easiest
way as a worthless weight. But I speak
again for a new awakening in which brain
and heart Of nations arc seeking 70 stop
wicked waste Of precious part OF so
clety. This is the encouraging fact-that
many OF the strongest men and women
educators, journalists. statesmen. iurists
as well az reformers and phllanthopists
are becoming tremendously in earnest
about f. Already the work, IN civic sd-
ministration has advanced beyond, the
stage Of experiment. Already few prin-
cipleS governing a successful accomplish
ment. are settled. They are axiom-s of
these shall speak. I utter not my opin-
ion. but voice an authority Of vast
world movement that has the approval Of
states and nations-an approval bassed
upon wisdom and experience.
II Mead for the acceptance Of just three
imperative necessities to the accomplish
ment Of this supreme task. First and fun
damontai Is the segregation Of child Of
fenders from older criminals both in
hearing and in detention. This principle
Is the result Of long and patient expert
ment The following convincing argu-
ments support Il.
81 The child is not a criminal. His age,
motive and relations to society deny the
charge and it is unjust that he should be
made TO bear the shame. The state has no
right to force il upon him and commits
a crime against every child that It does
not protect from the disgrace. This Is good
law now in many Of our states. supported
by higher decisions and is already written
I'm the constitution of some.
..2 Association with older offenders has
long been recognized as a school OF crime
and no state has a right to support such
a school, Jails and city prisons have been
hot heds for the growth of criminal hab-
lts and often the innocent child has had
his soul filled with black seeds.
2 Again an arrested or detained child
has a right to decent wholesome sur
roundings while awaiting hearing and
such supervision Of kindly help as will
tend TO improve him. It Is a critical mo-
ment and may decide the whole career OF
his life and destiny. TO neglect child
now is A greater crime committed by the
state than any child can commit against
the state-'A crime against the life of the
SOUL as Victor Hugo called it when his
protest startled a careless world.
"a once more a child offender has the
sacred right 10 be protected from publicity
from the scanning curiosity OF de-
PRAYED lot of creatures who hang about a
court room Of a city han who feed upon
the embarrassments and sensations of q
helpless girl struggling to recover from
shame. Shame on that city or state tha
viii permit such exploitation Of its unfor
= tunate childhood before the corrupt de
sires Of depraved menl I need not tell yol
that this first and fundamental principle
in child restoration is violated throughou
}, our state and the practice in this city is
disgrace to any pretended civilization. w
must stop it or hang our heads in dis
grace under the condemnation OF our sis
ter states We can only recover our hon
OF when we meet this demand to protec
our childhood from unjust disgrace, from
criminal association and from publicity.
p Supervision Of Deinquents.
'The second demand for which / plea
+ is proper supervision OF delinquent child
% hood. Keep in mind as I proceed the me-
) motive that is gripping society and in fac
10 moulding governments j.. e., the intentio
h to save the child rather than punishin
/. it, This is the call that is ushering in
le new age and inaugursting an interns
lf tional movement and Offering a new pre-
n gram. Competent supervision is absolute
7s lv essential TO success. Trained officer
Is sl<nlful persons are necessary TO ever
ne step in tho process. When complaint
1r made thorough investigation shall begi
III that shall take account of parentaae, SUI
~ roundings, physical. mental and mori
u personal conditions. Medical inspectio
~ shall form no small part in the collectio
Of evidence, for It Is too well known thi
few II any delinquents are normal. CT
. Icumstances and provocations leading
the offense with every fact that the cou
desires. free from preiudices Of peti
" spites that so often condemns the inn'
cent but friendless. who outraged und'
Il the sense Of injustice whole life is d
n graded
u Records, complete and particular, shs
be made and preserved for future refe
n ence Simple justice demands all this
o. mercy has not yet begun. This is but Il
n preliminary step in supervision. This mu
Il be continued with diligence and careful
y ness as long as the child is a ward Of Il
y court. that is until the child gives sati
- factory proof that it is cured and nee
3 no longer the friendly help Of the law.
4, And here let mo be emphatic ! wou