The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-06-09
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ATTEN-
TON

TON
A case that appeals to the human
itarian instincts of all who are ac-
quainted with the facts is that of the
two little boys who have beenplaced
in the county jail charged with petty
larceny.
They are but mere children. one
being eight and one ten years of
age, and it arouses the Indignation
of every philanthropic heart to see
these young offenders associated
with the hardened criminals, the
general run Of prisoners that are
kept in the Jail.
Attention has been callel to the
conditions here by the state Off
cials and only a short time ago this
matter was brought up and the auth
critics admonishcd to observe the
law.
The law of this state is explicit
on this question.
1t prohibits the placing of juvenile
offenders in the Jail and prohibits
the regular officials such as sheriff
and police officers from having any
thing to do with such cases.
1t is incumbent upon the county
judge to appoint "A probation officer
whose duty shall be to take charge
OF such cases. to provide a place
where they shall be kept and to as
far as possible remove them from
every faint OF criminal connections
This has not been done, and these
young offenders are thus placed in
the category of common criminals
placed under environments where
their future is jeopardized. placed
where the finger of scorn will be
pointed at them all their lives. with
little if any opportunity for refor.
nation and under influences that
must necessarily be of such nature
as to lessen the chances for max
ing good citizens of them when they
grow up. 1t is a burning shame
that in community of nearly fiji
teen thousand people. that such
such conditions shoull exist.
These children should be given
chance. They are poor forlorn lit
tie creatures that need the attention
of the charitably inclined. Their Of
fense is not so much the result Of
innate wickedness as the environ
ments that have surrounded them
Under proper care and with a de
cent chance they can be developed
into gooi and useful citizens. Tn
der present circumstances and man
ner OF treatment they are likely to
develop into criminals that will help
swell the ranks Of law breakers or
which there are now altogether too
many
In allowing these children to be
sent to the county jaHs as common
malefactors the authorities are
breaking the laws of the state. are
transgressing every law of deceucy
and fairness and are abettiug the
creation of the criminal classes.
There should be an immediate AMI .
radical change in such matters. \ .
probation officer should be immedi /
ately appointe3 and the custody Of
youthful offenders given TO him.
Homes should be sought and better
secured where these little
ones will have temptation to do
wrong removed from their lives.
In other states many of them are
sent to country homes and develop
into useful men and women. The.
are removed from the temptations
and influences Of evil that are so
frequently found in a city, and out
IN the country. close to nature.
where the air is pure and the con-
iitions good. soon learn the lesson
II good living.
Ardmore is a christian city. Il is
upplied with churches and Sunday
chools and social institutions which
ave for their object the uplift-
ng OF humanity These little ones.
II Of them Gods children. are OBJ