The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1916-05-11

4 ~ lew udyo d6O IOI IAS
nal bill, contains some un-
important improvements, but is still
essentially trap to place helpless
children in papal prisons that defy
inspection.
So many requests for copies of the
bill have come to this bureau that
we have been totally unable to sup
ply them, as the number of such bills
that can be obtained by private
citizens is limited. Those who wish
copies might write their respective
Congressman a request for such
copies.
The bill consists of forty-siX sec
tons and occupies twenty-eight pages
and is therefore too voluminous to
publish in it's entirety in the patri-
otto papers A number of eminent
patriotic lawyers and scholars have
examined it, however, with much
earnest care and have with one ac-
cord pronounced it essentially
vicious.
It's effect is to deprive the helpless
infant of the rights secured to an
adult criminal. In section 5, it de-
clares: cit is the intention of this
Act that in all proceedings coming
under it's provisions the court shall
proceed upon the theory that the
child is the ward Of the State" Such
theory might be maintained under
some of the despotic forms OF gov
eminent in past and present times,
but is fundamentally hostile to the
basic principles of free government.
Nature, revelation and American law
regard the child as primarily the
ward of it's parents, who are it's
natural guardians and protectors and
entitled to its care. custody and con-
troll, while the child is entitled to
their nurture, admonition, society
and protection. No earthly tie is
more vital or sacred than that which
binds parents and child together in
mutual love and duty.
That tie should never be disturbed
except in cases of most fragrant ne
cessity and only after ample notice
to both parties and opportunity to
be fully heard in an orderly judicial
proceeding according to established
and recognized standards of justice.
But this measure empowers the court
to order the arrest and restraint of
children against whom no crime or
misconduct is alleged on the mere
whim Of any irresponsible informer.
Section 10 provides, "That any
person having knowledge or informa-
ton that a child residing in or &C
tually in the District of Columbia is
within the provisions of the subsec-
lions of section four herein may file
with said juvenile court a verified
petition, stating the facts that bring
such child within said provisions;
but no such petition shall charge any
child with the commission of any
crime or misdemeanor as such. The
petition may be upon information
and belief"
Section II says: "That upon filing
che petition the court may forthwith
cause a summons to be issued re-
curing the child to appear before
child should not be dealt with &C.
cording to the provisions of this Act"
This section also provides for service
of a summons on the parents or
guardian, but with reference to SER
vice on such parents or guardian, it
is in Section 13. Provided, That
for good cause shown the court may
make an order dispensing with such
service" In the section last men
toned it is further stated that, "the
summons shall be considered a man
date of the court, and willfull fail
ure to obey it's requirements shall