Smyrna times., 1912-05-29
JUDGE HARPER's FINE CHARGE
Makes a Point of the Good Conditions
at CentrevilIe, An Argument That
Answers Well for Any Community

Answers Well for Any Community
IN his charge to the Grand Jury
at Centreville, Md, for the May
term of Court, Judge Hopper makes
some pertinent remarks that are
timely and important for any COM
munity of citizens to consider and
deliberate on. In speaking of the
generally good and satisfactory
conditions that have prevailed
he says: "Many things have com
bined to bring about this condition,
it may not be Improbable to refer
to some of them. The public school
system has aided largely in this
direction. The moral character
and general conduct of the vast ma
jority of people have helped. They
are temperate, Industrious and law
abiding. Their example must make
for good. For every man who re-
spects law, which is but the rule
for his conduct towards his fellow
men, and who shows his respect for
it by practice and precept restrains
others who might be inclined to
evil doing, leads them. by the force
of his uprightness, to pursue the
same correct course that he follows
himself. Every good citizen makes
other good citizens. Bad men do
not seek habitations of good men as
their dwelling places. They cannot
live there in comfort. The re-
straints of law abiding AMI wsll-
regulated community are too strong
for them, and they consequently
seek other places where there may
be less respect for law and more
liberation of their ways of living.
Good officers contribute to the con-
ditions of which am a speaking.
think the officers in this county are
good ones; they are vigilant and
efficient. They do not persecute,
but they are alert; they do not
make unnecessary arrests, but they
enforce the laws against the wilful
violatorS of them. 1t is only their
duty to act thus, but it is a pleasure
to see a man do his duty. Recent
changes in some of the laws that
were often violated in the past,
sometimes with impunity because of
the inperfections in them, nave
tended to aid this improvement.
Refers to the Local Option Law
This is notably true about the
Order Law. added in 1910 to the
provisions of the Local Code re-
lating to traffic in spirituous and
fermented liquors. Since it's enact
ment, there have been but few in
dictments for violations of the Local
Option laws. According to my
recollection but four cases of this
character have come before this
Court since this amendment was
passed. l believe the law permit
: ting the Court to parole convicts
? has assisted to better conditions.
! Under it, it has become almost a
2 rule with the court in this Circuit
to parole persons of their first
offence, when they are able to show
r previous good character and when
crime does not involve degree of
; turptitude that would lead to the
belief that leniency will not only
} help the person back to good con-
duct, but will only let loose de-
, praved person to prey upon the
, public. This law has worked par
/ ticularly we'll in cases in which
, minors have been convicted.
How to Deal With the Boy and Cir
! Zone of the most difficult prob.
lens of criminology is how to deal
, with a boy or girl convicted oi
S violating criminal law. Theil
r crimes are usually the result of the
e lack of good home influence anc
d proper moral training. Neglect,
5 not depravity. in many cases brings
f them to their unhappy state. Tht
e judges in this Circuit considered thi
It problem earnestly and long ant
II reached the conclusion that it is fa
k better, both for the public and tn
h accused, to give minor, who is no
l. fagrant offender, a chance t
it amend his conduct outside of priso
p walls than it is to imprison him in
1t penal institution and, perhaps
ID harden him into ali enemy of socie
10 tY, who would leave his place 0
rs confinement embittered and venge
ss full and ruined. We, therefore
Id paroled large number of minor
rs in the several counties in the Gil
I'd cult, and have noted with a gres
is deal of satisfaction that in almos
Of every case the reformation Of th
i'd minor was accomplished. 1t hs
On become our practice to listen
r, pleas for leniency in all first o.
ne fense cases, where the crime is NJ
nd fiagitious and to parole even adulr
'g when they show previous goC
e. character and when they seem