The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-25

JUDGE STREFTFR
SHOWS EMOTION
COMMENTS ON LAxlTY OF SUP
ERvISlON OF CONDUCT AND
WHEREABOUTS OF YOUNG
GIRLS.

The case of Pong Wo 500, charged
with a statutory offense, whose trial
came up today before Judge Streeter
i'm circuit court. was the cause of a
talk by Judge Streeter on the neces-
sity of parents knowing what their
children are doing. that they may be
kept away from immoral influences.
The case of Pong Wo 500 was ham
died by Attorney +. II. O'Brien, who,
on behalf of the defendant. offered a
plea of guilty To a lesser degree of the
same offense When this plea was
accepted by the court Mr. o'Brien
asked for permission to say a few
words anent the circumstances in the
case. He stated that he had found tho
prisoner was suffering from mental
trouble and was. In other words, "a
little off" Further he stated II as his
belief that the evidence in the case
showed that the Chinaman was not
entirely TO blame and that the par
ents Of the young girls implicated did
not exercise due supervision over
their conduct Because of this, Mr..
OiBrien asked the court to be as le-
nient as possible in passing sentence.
Judge Streeter agreed to this and
i'm short talk to the assembled au-
dience, said:
II think that always when the con-
dition of the prisoner is to he con-
sidered and especially in the amount
nf Int All icrAtn l.s.ac ...I..
is ignorant and mentally Unbalanced
should not have sentence anything
like the man who has nothing the
matter with him. What are real
criminal acts and what are not de-
pend more on the surroundings and on
the moral tone of the community than
on anything that is taught i'm the
schools, or preached i'm the churches
or written on the statute books of the
state. The legislation might make the
laws universal as to what degree of
intent to commit crime might be pun
ishable. And so far as 1 have been
able to learn the Chinese idea of the
relation of the sexes is entirely foreign
to any that we consider. and while
anyone who is within the jurisdiction
of the United States is subject to our
laws. / think that matter might be
taken into consideration.
Perhaps it is going beyond the duty
of the court to discuss this matter,
but there are gentlemen here from all
parts of the country who know the
conditions at the present time. Per-
NIT me to say that within the last
three years a number Of cases have
been brought in here that seemed to
indicate that there is very lax super
vision OF the conduct and whereabouts
Of young girls. I'm a great many
places i'm this country that is a matter
that rests directly and almost solely on
the parents of the girls and those of
you who have lived in this community
know that here was a time when no.
body thought that there was the
slightest danger to a little girl to go
about town at any time of day or
night. But those times have passed,
am very sorry to say, and some of the
cases that have been brought here are
really too horrible to think of. But IL
community could understand once
that IL Is necessary for parents to
know what their children are doing, a
great many ruined lives might be saw
ed"
Here Judge Streeter broke down and
was unable to go further with his talk
but told the sheriff to take charge OF
the prisoner and the next case was
taken up Immediately.
The jury i'm the case of Peter Tai
iklla OF Painesdale. charged with as
sault. brought in a verdict last even
ing, finding him guilty OF lesser
crime. that of assault with intent to
do great bodily harm.
In the case of the people versus
Henry Kellollosli. Kalle Heikkinen,
Herman LuolllIo and Matti Jamsi
charged with assault to do great bod
lily harm. the charges against the first
two were nolle pressed, while Luol<ko
and Jamsi were allowed to plead
guilty to assault and battery They
will be given their sentences later
The case of Herman stark. q sa-
loonkecper arrested on three charges,
pleaded guilty to the charge of keep
ing open after hours. on the charges
of keeping open Sunday and of keep
ing gaming house, the prosecution
decided 20 have his case nolle pressed.
stark was given fine of $50 and s25
costs
Prosecuting Attorney w. ]. McDon-
aid stated today that the criminal cal
endar will probably be finished to-
morrow as there now remain only Ave
cases to be tried. six have been dis
posed of already. The case OF Jonn
Johnson on a charge of larceny Is now
being tried. The Jury in this case
was sworn this morning.