Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-06-01

tenders by the children's court in this
city. A committee including Mrs N.
B. Dodson, president of the club, visit
ed the court and held a conference
with the matron. Upon inquiry as to
the number of colored boys and girls
brought into the court within the past
six months, the nature of the charge
| against them and if held what steps
were taken 10 correct them in order to
prevent n recurrence of the same Of
| fense and encourage them to lead
better life the matron stated that the
number in comparison to other races
was very small. Only about seven col
ored youths had been in the court
within this period Of time. AS to the
| disposition made of them, some were
sent to the juvenile home. and others
were either taken in charge by parents
or guardians or served short sentences
| and then released.
The committee asked why such
youths were not committed to the State
institution For Juvenile Offenders and
was told that there was no room for
them. The committee is Of the opin-
ion that it is the duty Of the state to
provide room for all offenders, whether
white or colored.
The investigation will be continued
until the club receives satisfactory in
formation from the higher authorities
in the matter To show that the club
means business the committee invited
Chief Justice Isaac F. Russell of the
county court Of special sessions to de-
liver the principal address at the first
anniversary exercises of the club.
which were held in the Concord Bap-
tist church on Wednesday evening.
May 30. Justice Russells subject was
The Welfare of the Child" There
was a large audience present, and the
justice gave convincing and logical
discussion Of the subject with fairness
and manifest interest in the welfare OF
the youths of all races and natjpnah
ties.
Starting with the child as babe In
the cradle, the speaker gave his opin-
ion as to the proper training of chill
dren and the best methods to use at
every period of child life on through
the adolescent period until youth
reaches the age of twenty-one- He
said If the ct&ld or youth could be
got through the adolescent period safe
ly without serious mishaps no fear
need be exercised as to his future well
fare The foundat ation must be laid in
the home and the course Of the child's
life carefully watched and guided until
he comes to the age of accountability.
1t is a good omen for all the people
when busy men like Justice Russell
lay aside heavy official duties and
come out in the open with the people
to assist in working out the many
difficult problems relating to the well
being Of the community. The infor-
nation received at this meeting will
go far toward solving the problem to
which the Mothers club has directed
its attention.
County Judge Lewis Fawcett on Crime.
The May public meeting in the in
terest of the Lincoln Settlement as
sociaton was held in Friends meet
ing house on Schermerhorn street.
The association has under its supervi-
sion the free kindergarten work and
the mothers day nursery.
Mr. George e. Wibecan. Jr.. one Of
the board Of managers, presided The
speaker was County Judge Lewis
Fawcett, whose subject was Crime
Its Cause and Cure" Judge Fawcett
was introduced by Internal Revenue
Collector Charles w. Anderson. Judge
Fawcett gave an interesting discourse
on the causes of crime and suggested
many methods by which the multi
plfcity of crime might be reduced.
He said that prior to the eighteenth
century criminals were extremely tor
tured. In the nineteenth century the
treatment became more humane. Grim
inals may be classified as follows: In
sane. born, habitual, occasional, pas
sion. The insane criminal belongs to
that class Of mental infirmities whose
minds are not sufficiently strong to re-
sist temptations. The born criminal
| is brutal. cruel, crafty and lazy. His
crimes are those of the highwayman,
burglar, Black Hand, etc.
The occasional criminal is the man
who is morally weak, who is governed
by force OF circumstances or environ
ment. The criminal of passion Is he
who allows his temper in moment to
get the mastery of him to the extent
that he may kill a man before he re-
gains himself. The occasional criminal
is one who does not commit crime
from nature; is the one who, when
temptations are removed, does not fall
again. Defaulters and embezzers come
under this head.
Poverty and idleness are largely re-
sponsible for many of the crimes. The
world is full Of men and boys who live
without working. They are really the
dregs In the cup of life. Eighty-hve
per cent OF the criminal classes are