The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1913-02-01
Provide Domestic Relation. Courts.

FTovioo OomosuC uctatione SouVto.
The expected bill establishing courts
OF domestic relations In cities of and
above the class of Grand Rapids has
been presented by Senator Verdier of
Grand Rapids.
The measure provides for the estab-
lishment of court that shall have the
powers of a circuit court, but shall be
restricted to handling cases Of divorce.
desertion, illegitimate parentage, nom
support, contribution to delinquency.
cruelty to children. neglect by par
ents, and It shall also have the powers
of a juvenile court over children OF
parents that are brought before 1t.
Aside from the moral arguments for
this bill. 1t is being urged that it's pas
sage will do away with the possibility
Of creating another regular circuit
judgeship for Detroit, and may also
make unnecessary an additional police
Judge for number Of years to come.
The domestic relations court would
handle large proportion or business
now going to both courts.
Representative Flowers Is in charge
of the bill in the house, where It will
be introduced in few days.
A bill to systematic the work Of
county agents and to bring them into
the machinery of the juvenile court
has been introduced by Senator Yer
der.
The bill also makes the salary Of
county agents $1,000 per year, instead
of three dollars per day while working,
as now. The bill will not particularly
affect the powers or duties of each,
except to bring them in closer touch.
Majority ParoIed Are Making Good.
De Hull N Travis of Flint, member
of the state pardon board, has given
out interesting facts concerning the
indeterminate sentence law. Travis
said: THE fact that 81 per cent. OF
the men paroled during the past year
have made good and are now en-
gagged in useful employment seems
competent evidence of the worth OF
the indeterminate law.
1.-THE chief problem in the admins
tration OF this humane law Is the un
certainty of the first friend sys
man should have sober, industrious
and just first friends possessed with
enough of the milk of human kind
ness to be sympathetic counselors.
The average paroled man leaves
the prison with a manly determine
ton to retrieve his unfortunate past
| II he can manage to exist honorably
for the first few weeks after his dis
! charge from prison, there Is hope.
The first friend usually is called
| on to provide employment for the
paroled man, who finds that working
his way back into the community is
| his hardest task Much tact, perse'
, verance and charity on the part OF
everybody, especially the first friend
Is required.
n THE first friend should be man
who will inspire confidence and con
Vince the paroled man that he and
society are ready to meet him half
way on his journey to success.
THE best parole officer in Michigan
is w. II. Venn of Detroit. His deep
sympathy, broad charity and always
! helpful interest in the men are the
qualities that every first friend should
possess. Better results will be OBJ
tanned when the state realizes the
Importance and necessity Of more
systematic organization of first
friends who would be distributed
| over the state.
Il am inclined to think that ar
rangements might be made to have
| the county agents act. These men
operate under the state board of cor
rections and charities and consider
them the logical men to do the
work"