New-York tribune., 1910-09-11
WORK OF CHILDREN's COURT
Chief Justice Russell Explains the AS
signment of Judges.

Sir: I notice in your issue OF TINS daIe
an elaborate article. with attractive mead
lines, calling attention to the assignments
OF justices of this court shat have been
made for service in the Chldrens Court IN
this city, and containing a rebuke to the
Chief Justice for disregard of the law IN
making such assignments. Your readers, L
think, are likely to misapprehend the real
situation unless they get some Information
beyond what is contained in this article.
The truth is that both the letter and spirit
of the statute reorganizing the Court OF
SpeciaI Sessions were constantly considered
in the making Of these assignments with
tho result that the largest share of the
work is given in Brooklyn to Mr.. Justice
Wilkin. and in New York County to MI
Justice Hoyt. and In Queens and Richmond
to Mr. Justice Ryan Interested and intel
lignnt observers will recognize at once that
these justices have the special fitness COM
ing from both temperament and experience
which the statute calls upon the Chief JUS
tice to recognize in making these appoint
ments. The exact language of the statute
is as follows:
In assigning justices to sit in the Chill,
dren's Court ne (the Chief Justice) shall
have regard for the fitness of the justice SO
e;,c ana 81 6a5 for Substantial
periods of service in said Children's Courts.
Oaws of 1910. Chapter $50. Section 1i)
Service in the Children's Court Is very at
tractive to all the justices. every one OF
whom justly aspires to taking share in
this work. The points of attraction are
doubtless the fact that the entire jurtsdlc-
ton is in the hands Of the single justice
who holds the court, undivided with others;
and the further fact that the scope and
variety of matters justiciable in such tri-
bunals are not limited 70 misdemeanors,
but include offences which. If committed
by adults, would be felonies. Add to this
that unparalleled opportunities are afford
ed at such a post of duty to influence the
conduct and character of the Juvenile de-
linquent, and 1t is seen that any justice
may we'll believe that here lies the noblest
chance in his life to do the best OF the
worlds work. Were all this judicial SER
vice given over TO a single Judge IN city
as large as New York there would be no
competent reserve force available in case
of the breakdown or enforced absence Of
the regular appontee. nor would there be
a judicial training school for the develop
ment of the special fitness that the law
contenlplates and demands. Moreover, the
testimony of veteran judges in this arm
Of judicial service, like Mr.. Justice Olnsted.
Is to the effect that the strain of continued
work in the ChIldren's Lourt cannot be en-
dured beyond two months. So narrowing
and egonizing are the epectacles and re-
citals that the sensibilitieS are shocked and
the heart wrung to the breaking point, and
the judge who Is most just and disciplined
will sometimes long to confront some class
of offenders to whom stern Judgment can
be administered with a result and feeling
of satisfaction in his own mind and con-
science.
AS to the appointment Of Mr.. Graveur
the writer in "The Survey is grossly mis-
Mr.. Graveur is not police Of
fcer. but is the one man best qualified by
character and experience for the post of
chief probation officer
ISAAC FRANKLIN RUSSELL.
New York, Sept 10, 1910.