The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06
TO HELP INSANE.
Charities Conference at BelOit
Adopts Resolutions.
Recommends Changes in Laws
Regarding Children.
OPPOSES FEE SYSTEM.
Wants Officers and Courts on
Adequate Salaries.
Other Items of General Interest
to Kansas Readers.

Beloit, Kan, Dec. 6.-At the state
board of charities conference held in
Beloit last week resolutions were
adopted recommending important
changes in many of the county laws
relating to children and insane per-
sons The resolutions were as follows:
Resolved, That there should be a
public defense in criminal trials eth
er by public attorney elected in each
county for that purpose or by paid
attorney appointed by the court to
defend a person accused of crime, and
that witness fees in certain cases for
the defendants witnesses should be
paid by the county.
Resolved, That we believe from the
experience of juvenile judges of the
state that fully sixty per cent of the
cases of the delinquent and dependent
children are attributable directly to
the parents of these children and that
we favor such additional legislation as
courts to deal effectively with all par
ents of this kind.
Resolved, That the Juvenile court law
be so amended as to make it compul-
sorry on the part of counties of more
than 10000 population to provide de-
tention homes for children, and that
all the laws of the state pertaining to
dependent, neglected and delinquent
children should be made to harm onize
and cover the field intended to be
covered, prohibit the sending of child
rem to poor farms. and make the law
clear with reference to the adoption
of children.
Resolved That the jurisdiction of the
| probate courts should be extended so
as to include criminal and civil juris-
| diction and that the court be known
| as a county court and in counties
where the volume of work is too large,
that county court be esta blished sep
arate from the probate court.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the
| fee system and in favor of the adop-
ton of a law which will abolish IT
| and place all officers and courts on
| adequate salaries.
| Resolved, That reformatory for
! young women similar to the reforma-
tory for young men should be estab-
! lished, either separate and distinct
in connection with some other of oul
state institutions, or the maximum
age limit of the Girls Industrial school,
be extended.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
conference that some special provis
ion should be made for segregating the
criminal insane from among the pa
tients of the state hospitals for the in.
sane and the inmates of the penal in,
situations.
Resolved, That as a new institution
for the insane is needed, that the sams
should be located in the central par
of the state with large body of fertile
: land where an abundant water suppl,
could be provided, and that the mex
session of the legislature should pro
vide for the selection of a site and 70
: preliminary work.
y Resolved, That this conference US
: its best efforts with the next legisla
ture to secure the passage of addition
al laws making effective our presen
], statutes prohibiting marriage anon
f the insane, epileptic and feeble mind
= ed persons, and also proper Legislation
e looking to the prevention of blindness
f Resolved, That it is the sentiment G
!, this conference that desertion or will
full neglect of family should be mad
y to constitute felony.