The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-25
Keep Away From, Fclon..

Kcep Away From FcIons.
instead of trying to raise up a
generation OF good children. the States
nave nave been trying to stlgmatize them.
'uVehiie Court no longer stigma
tlZes them and Furnishes them by cast
ing them into fefons cell. To-day
we take the child in hand and try to
snow 1t the error of Its ways: educat to
~ and bring It up. We bring it out OF
the wrong path Into the right and 10
uecency. and the State In justice to all
It's children. ought to perform this
duty.
Don't arrest children when 1t is not
cessary-there is entirely too much
arresting In this country anyhow. com
pared With the European nations
there Is no need of this, and If there
need OF arrestinG child. the thing
10 40 is not to take Il TO prison.
where there are Juvenile Courts
there are detention homes. and If 1t
IS necessary to keep q boy or girl
there for ono or two days, he or sho IS
Kept occupied. These detention homes
nave teachers and children held there
rose no time from their studies -
The Judges Surroundings.
Inc juvenile judge needs no ex-
terror effects to add to his dignity. He
doesn't want high bench, but a tn bIe
on the floor level where he can talk
to an erring child
II 1t is found that child has been
oolns wrong. do not send him to a
reformatory, put endeavor TO place him
under the environments OF home He
may De returned to the home OF his
parents or guardians. Here Is where
tho work of probation officers comes in
They constantly keep an alert eve
upon all such cases.
lf you can't show your Legislature
enet II Is money In the pocket OF the
STATE to care tor It's children, you Will
lind individuals Who will be willing To
aid In fund to start the movement
and the work Will quickly enough be
taken up by the authorities"
LAW, Hut No Money
IN SUD uniting the report of the com
mittee on Juvenile Court. Chairman c.
3. Cooke, of the Civic Improvement
League. said:
The last Legislature enacted a pro
baton law which helps some but IT
provided no judges. and far worse.
provided no money to carry the law
into operation
II should like to see in Virginia the
placing out system adopted where
juvenile delInquents are sent to good
homes in the country. and If necessary
The State should pay the board OF such
child rather than spend the same
amount OF money, or perhaps more, to
Keep them In reformatory."
In discussing Vlrginia's placing out
work. President George II. Denny, OF
Washington and Lee University, chair
man Of the State Board of Charities
and Corrections. said at the session
held yesterday afternoon in the Viz
sinia Mechanics Instituted:
Cnred For In Families
1T is recognized that orphanaees
and similar institutions are necessary
for the temporary. and, perhaps. in
rare cases. for the more or less per
manent care of dependent children: hui
Just at this time in Virginia we need
TO put the emphasis strongly upon the
duty OF all classes of institutions to
place these children In families when
proper homes can be found"
There has been more or less criti-
| clsm OF certain phases OF this kind
OF work n Virginia. as elsewhere. At
times there has been an echo of sus-
ptcion of actual wrongdoing. There are
! few things in all the catalogue OF
| crime more heinous than the traffic In
children, and the state Board of
Charities has the axed determine ton
! that any complaint of moral de-
l!nquency in this direction shall be
dealt with in such manner as Will
save the honor of this Commonwealth
and protect the interests OF It's I'M
| fortunate children. The Legislature
has provided the power and laid on
1t the responsibility of inspecting the