The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-05
JUVENILE COURT
TRIED 41O CASES
Disorderly Conduct, With 1872
Offenders, Constituted Largest
Single Class.
GIRL PROBLEM GROWS
Regarded by Juvenile Protective
Society as Its Most Diff
cult Task.

In memorial. just from the press
in pamphlet form. the Juvenile Protec-
tive Society of Virginia sums up for
convenient reference the work accom-
plished by the Juvenile division of the
city Police Court in the first nine
months Of it's life. covering the period
between April and December 81. 1912.
The memorial Is addressed 10 the Clty
Council In support Of a plea for an ap-
preparation Of $500. with which 70
continue the work Of the court ia the
coming year
II appears from the report. which
is signed by Rev. Il. -. &. Aaclachlan.
president of the Juvenile Protective
Society Of Virginia, that the Juvenile
Court In the FIRST nine months OF its
operation handled 40 cases OF JuNe-
nile delinquency. divided as TO sex and
color as follows: White boys. 1s1;
white girls. 80; negro boys. 1872, ana
negro girls. so.
OF the 40 cases. 1872 fall under the
general head. disorderly conduct. The
term includes fighting shooting crap.
throwing rocks and similar orenses.
Assault and battery furnished NIFTY
cases; larceny. III; HOUSEKEEPING
seventeen. and violations OF city ordi-
nances. twenty -One. Twenty-elght
cases are classified as offenses against
morality.
Mode of Disposition.
The report calls particular atten-
tion 10 the large number OF cases 70
which corrective punishment has been
spilled. OF sixty-twO children that
were committed fourteen We're as
signed 70 the Prison Association 81
Virginia. ten 20 the Negro Reforma-
tory Association. twenty 10 the State
Board OF Charities and Corrections. ten
10 the Virginia Home and Industrial
School for Girls and eight 70 the Juve-
nile Protective Society.
Among other dispositions were. Pro
batiOned. 109: fined. Il whipped b.
parents or guardian. IS. discharged
with warning. so, dismissed. 80. and
turned over 70 parents or guardians.
30
Attention is directed 10 the fact that
of 109 children placed on probation.
ninty-oue have not since appeader ia
court such record II is submitted.
is proof OF the wisdom Of dealing with
youthful offenders in the humane way
encouraged b. the association.
The YOUNG Girl Problem.
\ special division % the report IS
devoted 10 the work OF the Juvenile
Court in caring Tor young girls who
have been guilty Of oGeases against
morality This phase Of is work. II
IL stated, constitutes the courts big
eest and most difficult problem. To
quote.
.AImos, every DAY the police arc
confronted with the problem % what
70 do with the young girls who parade
Broad Street and frequent the moving
picture shows. They firt with the
so-callsd Washers and strike up &C
quaintance With strangers and com
init other acts OF indiscret!on.r
For aid in solving this particular
problem. the report returns thanks TO
the good work n the GirTs Auxiliary
Of the Instructive Visiting Nurses AZ
ISOLATION. and TO the services per-
formed by Miss Sarah p. Roller. as
Richmond's first woman probation Off
Ger.
Asks for Appropriation.
The memorial concludes with an ap-
peal 10 the city Council for an appro-
priation adequate 10 meet the grow
ing needs OF the Juvenile Court In
support OF their plea the members Of
the Juvenile Protective Society Of Viz
ginia offer the following reasons:
I'D We wish TO give every child in
Richmond a chance To be tried for the
offense with which he is charged with
out the publicity OF formal court
hearing and its inevitable stigma.
"(2) We wish TO continue p system
which will give child the chance 10
reform under probation without being
sent to Jail
"63) We wish facilities which will
enable US 10 take children from bad
home surroundings and place them
where they will be we'll cared for and
educated to useful citizenship
20 We wish adequate means 70
save from lives OF shame young girls
who, unless cared for. will inevitably
lead such lives
"(5b We wish TO end the disgrace OF
confirming in Jail children who may be
permanently ruined by contact with
hardened criminals.
The children OF to-day are the citi-
zers of tomorrow. They will be pre-
cisely what we make them. and will
show the effects in maturity Of the
treatment they receive now. Mercy
will be rewarded with manhood and
injustice with crime