The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-03
MOTHER PLEADS FOR HER OFFSPRING Mrs. Haggerty's Tears Wins Another Chance Tn Pro-
 bate Court PLAIN TALK BY
 JUDGE FALLEN Worthless Father, a Slave to likeness and Drink
 Squalor In Hovel

Mother love and a mothers p1ead- ing won a stay today in the proceed ings to commit Howard and John Haggerty as county charges. The two bright little boys are the children of Edward J. and Josephine Haggerty and were before the probate court to- day on a petition from the Connec- ticut Humane society on the ground that they are neglected and depen- dent. During the hearing there was unfoIded a sordid tale of neglect and indifference of parents toward chi1- dren as has seldom been heard in a Bridgeport court room.
 The Haggertys live in a hut in Sampson avenue and according to the witnesses in a sQualor that beggars description. There are but two rooms and the mother, father and children sleep together in one bed, while the fathers brother sleeps on blankets on the floor of the kitchen.
 The boy, Howard. is 8 years of age. John is T. Neither has ever been TO school or to church. The father Is a molder and an expert gardener, as we'll. His brother is core maker, but neither work very much and it was said in court that what little money The children are often hungry and frequently there is little fire in the house, although it was said there is a cord of wood piled against the house where they live.
 'sThis is criminal" declared Judge Ha1Ien when told that the children had never been sent to church or school.
 .sWhat is your rengion7'. the judge asked.
 My husband and I are Roman Catholics answered Mrs. Haggerty, "a d r aof fa o11f in that faith.''
 ''How do you expect to bring them up In any religion if you do not send them to church, Sunday school and day schools 2" asked Judge Ha1len- 'srY oH are guilty of ofsavcrininaI oRsnse in keeping your children fnpm school and you and your husband should be punished for this. You are not 9giv- ing these children a square deal You are bringing them up in an atmos- phere which will make criminals of them when they grow up. I cannot dren from church and from school. This is a chi1dren's court and we must protect children from the neglect of such parents.'' admonished Judge Hal len.
 George Sanford of Washington ave nue, by whom Haggerty has been em- ployed in various capacities, said that Haggerty was an honest and capable man but that he was lazy.
 .He would rather stay in bed suck ing a pipe than get out and work for his wife and famtly,'' said MT. San ford. Mrs. Sanford has given Mrs Haggerty food but think more of it went to this man and his lazy brother than went to these children. have given Haggerty clothes and he has pawned them for drink.
 1T know he could have a good job a Ixe< r J1 give him work myself and know others that would give him work if he would brace up and do right. I do not like to see the children separ- ated from their mother, however, and think if County Commissioner Null yihill would give Haggerty a good talk ing to he might awaken a realization in him of the way he is treating his family and he might do better
 F. H. Downs, agent of the Humane society. after whose investigation the children were brought into court. said the family had moved 25 times in the last two years. He said the family lived in abiect poverty in a hoveI where the only furniture was a couple of chairs. bed. stove and an old trunk He said the only clothing the children had was what they had on
 There is another child nine years old, whom Mrs. Haggerty said lives with her sister. Another child two years old, is at home and Mrs. Hae gerty is soon to become a mother again.
 !. County Commissioner MuIvff1iIl thought Haggerty might do better if he was given another chance to SUD- port his family.
 Judge Hallen was not inclined to
 listen to this proposition until Mrs. Baggerty made her plea
 Wont you please give us another ChQnCa- fnd |, sent the children to church Or to school because they are so delicate, but I will send them at once if you let them stay with me. am sure my husband will do better, too He cried this morning when the children were taken away He felt so badly that he was not able to come here today
 'u think he was ashamed to face this court an1 that is why he did not come here,'' said Judge Hallen. \ These cases are the greatest prob lens we have to face. The only thing case for two WeesCs and see what Haggerty will do in the meantime. will ask MT. Downs and the probation officer, Rev. c. W. Simpson, to watch closely and report to the court two weeks from today
 Mrs. Haggerty with her arms about her boys left the court room smiling. Mir Simpson gave them car fare so that they might ride home. In the meantime Haggerty's brother will be ordered to leave the house and go to work. Unless Haggerty shows a dis position to provide for his family in the next two weeks, Judge Ha1len said he would be obliged to order the commitment of the boys to the St Francis home at New Haven.
 A months mind requiem mass was celebrated at the Sacred Heart church