The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-17

Serious offenses constitute strk-
ingly small per cent of the tQtai-
There were only two robberies and
eleven cases of drunkenness. -Four
negroes were charged with murder,
and three whites and one negro with
ma nsiaughter
The penalties. or rather disposition
of the cases. also shows the preventive
and protective nature of the court.
About oil cases We're prom pity dis
missed ISL were discharged with
warning: 81 dismissed at the request
of the compliments. The parents or
guardians took So. and 80 were re-
leased Isnder a suspended sentence.
The probation system was applied In
the large number of 262 cases This
means the court stiii maintains
helpful discipline over the child.
Money fines were exacted from lit.
i of whom many were probationed to
work the fines out by instaflments
Rod Used On Effty-five.
Virginia justice In the shape ~
parental whipping was melted out to
Ione white boy and fifty-four negroes
The rod still seems a safe deterrent
for misguided children One parent
absconded with a child. two negroes
were sent on to the grand jury. and
one white boy was turned over to an
other court About S45 children, or
III per cent. have been helped by court
or parent or institution with no shame
Or risk. The Juvenile workers argue.
THAT the sav wing In police. court and
terminal expenses, rs well as the
the protection of childhood. will more
than pay the appropriation of $4,000
for the proposed court.
The disposition of dependent"
children Is one OF the most perpiexing
problems that will confront the new
court. states the report The State
Board Of Charities received 30 cases
the past year. and the Juvenile Pro-
ttective Society. twenty-five. The
Negro Reformatory Association took
twenty four boys and the Industrial
Home School nine girls. Especial
tpraise is given the Bethany Home for
Friendless Children; and to the pre-
lventive work of the Industrial School
] Farm for Homeless Boys at Coving-
ton. Va.
I. Domestic Relations Side
The new court. in addition to hand
ling this volume OF investigation and
Judgments. will also have Jurisdiction
over cases involving domestic rela-
lions. Many questions of family and
parental relations will be settled here.
as the fear OF publicity in the Police
Court has heretofore kept many per-
sons from appealing for legal aid
tlne. Judge Tor SuCn a court WIFI uSau
especial training and sympathy. He
will be further helped by a steering
committee. an, institution that has
proven very useful in an unofficial adj
visory capacity. It's members at pres
lent are: DIR. Fl. D. c. Maclachlan.
Rev Charles Hannigan, Mr.. r: H..
Melton. Rev. J. J. Scherer and DR.
Frank w Upshur.
Many cases OF Juvenile delinquency
and domestic relations involve com
pick problems OF heredity and en-
ivIronmsnt. complicated by effects OF
physical and mental III health. To the
training and experience Of Judge
whose character and sympathy make
him suitable for such ethical questions
Is added by the steering COMMITTEES.
1.-THE advice and wisdom Of ministers
ard physicians The theory OF the
court demands such especial qualities
of all who are serving it, that In this
way it has been found possible to
secure the best results in helping each
individual child to safety and hap
piness This is the ideal that guides
the work throughout the nation, and
II. Is believed that Richmond will
4 make provision to that the present
high standard here reached viii not
he lowered. bur Its influence widened
by the new court.