New-York tribune., 1910-09-04

Greaf Good Can Be Done or Great Ey1
UrouSbf By Holders Of This
Position.

out Of all-the discussion and protest con-
cerning the selection ana appointment Of
probation officers under the new inferior
criminal courts act Of the city OF New
York, which went into effect on the first
day Of September, one good effect has re-
suited. The arguments advanced for and
against appointment of these officers
through Civil Service competition which
have been printed from time TO time in the
newspapers have awakened the interest Of
citizens who otherwise would not have
been il the way Of having their attention
called TO the subject. and in their final in
4iuence have clearly emphasized the vital
necessity OF securing probation officers.
whatever the method of selection, who are
men and women Of exceptional character
and qualifications.
Those who are most actively interested
in probation. and who desire to see the
system as emphatic a success in New York
as it has been made in Massachusetts and
elsewhere, believe the discussion over meth
ods OF appointment which has been going
on in1erInitTently ever since the bill was
introduced in the Legislature has been a
powerful factor in creating public senti-
1rent that VIII henceforth demand the Sc
lection OF properly qualified probation Of
ficials. and they confidently expect that this
ed by the justices and magistrates in whom
the final power Of selection rests.
What are the features Of probation work
that call for probation officers of strict IN
1egrity and of broad humanitarian inter
esfs? Why should probation officers pos
sess in high degree those qualities of
heart and character that are so generally
associated with great moral reformers and
with worthy prea achers and teachers? How
would justice go wrong II the probation Of
ficer were man of mean motives. open TO
bribery and susceptible 10 the grating
habit?
Most people are familiar with the general
theory of probation and recognize ii TO be
q form Of legal discipline intended TO aid
the probationer who has strayed from the
,,atf Of social rectitUde in habituating him
self once more 10 honest living.
In general, probation saves the proba-
toner from Incarceration. where he would
come under the influences Of criminals. It
places him under the friendly care and
counsel OF a probation officer, TO whom he is
required TO report at stated intervals dur
ing specihed period Of time.
But the ideal probation officer does more
than visit advise and watch over those
committed 10 his care The probation Off
cer. recommends sentence 10 the court, is
sometimes consulted with reference to the
plea which a defendant is allowed 10 make.
and, occasionally, in case Of person who
is servfrg a short sentence, is called on by
the court 10 offer recommendations 10
discharge OF the prisoner or completion Of
sentence.
A case in which the probation officer was
consulted with reference TO the plea the de-
feradant desired 70 make occurred only the
other day IN the Court Of General Sessions.
A man was being tried for a serious offence
against a young girl. The girl had been
Iaroled in charge Of a woman probation
officer and this officer had made palnstak-
ing investigation as TO the record of the
man. At first he entered g plea or not
guilty, but during the trial. when IT was
seen that the evidence presented by the
probation officer was making conviction
practically certain, the defendants attor-
rey approached the probation officer and
asked IL she would oppose II II his client
secured permission from the court TO change
his plea and. instead. plead guilty TO