Evening journal., 1919-02-11
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY II, 1919.
KEEP IL our OF POLITICS.


= 20 wise wilmngtonlan fail TO recognize the
~ necessity for keeping the Juvenile Court out OF
politics and preventing It's degeneration from valuable
reform Institution into sordd and selfish machine for
conferrlng partisan avors and lining up partisan votes
at election time because Of fayors bestowed.
Nor can any wise wilmingtonsn fall to recognize the
necessity for having at the head of that court Judge
who viii not be svayed by partisan motives, and for
having as Chief Probation Oncer man who has no
political fa,ors to grant and political punishments
to innict
The court which was created TO deal with and where
possible reform Juvenile denquents, should perform
ihsl function fairly mpsrtlay and free from partisan
talnt or bias.
Chief Probation 0fncer who is a politician and dis
posed to use his ONCE for the playing OF politics. has
II within his power through the commission OF unfair
and impartial acts involving the granting OF avors and
the Imposing Of penalties. TO build up potential pot
cal machine, playing the game with the future lives
OF children and the hearts OF fathers mothers brothers
and sisters as his trump cards in such reprehensble
work.
Those thoughts are brought to mind by the recent
resignation Of w. f. H. Wentze Chief Probation
ocer owing the sinister influences arrayed against
him. osensbly because he from outside the State.
but in reality because he not the sort Of man to
make political playthings Of the court and its Juvenile
charges.
Let us review few Of the facts which led up 10 the
resignation Of Mr.. Wentze:
About the middle OF last year E. Ross Farra. who
the Chief Probation OGlcer resigned because he
said the salary Of $500 allowed by law small
that he could longer make ends meet when. faced
with the tremendously increased cost OF living
The Judge Of the Juvenile Court then expressed his
belief that it would be Impossible to and any qualified
person to on the position at salary OF only $1,000
whereupon the Juvenile Court Association assured him
that if he could ind a proper man for the post who
combined The essential qualities Of sound character with
welfare work. the association would undertake TO sup
pement the legal salary.
After going into the matter thoroughly. the Judge
finally located W F. H. Wentzel whose record in Juvenile
Court work and child welfare work Indicated that he
especially well qualified for the position and who
willing TO accept at salary Of $500 year, $500
more than the $1,000 allowed by law.
The Juvenile Court Association agreed TO provide the
extra $1,000 The Judge Of the Juvenile Court recon-
mended the appointment OF Mr.. wenze TO the Judges OF
the Superior Court. who vested by law with the
power OF the appointment The appointment was made
and Mr. wentzel entered upon his duties.
AT that time 1t announced that the legal salary
OF 1920 would be supplemented by private subscriptions
Of public spirited citizens"
Shortly aftervard. certain organization saw ht for
reasons best known TO ITSELF to protest 30 City Council
against the payment Of its Of the salary OF the new
Probation officer the ground that he was not Della
warean and therefore that question existed TO
HOtNiLiobohuHc 'o~s
that had made by the 1--WE law Judges who con-
sntute the highest legal authority in our State
Curiousy enough. Council ut to entertain this
ucuous protest. and assumed refer the matter TO the
Ivy solicitor for legal opinion. We have reason to
srss' uia' inquiry win show that there Is a grave
as 70 whether the City Solicitor has been
o,oou spechcaly about this appointment II he Is
oores ~ lax Tor publication or il Council can be
ha Ous ~ way that win compel to disclose all
co, :. e",s supposed consultation with the City
ooncor' II IS quite possible that they win serve . on
inocation OF what was Councils real motive l., -
tanning the protest of the organization Of which
spoken ~ VIC nave
We suspect three motives are at work IN ,h -.
affair: lD The possibility that the former proh,,
O1icer Mr. Farra. may want his old lob back ., on a,
creased salary to be provided by the Legislature. 70,
that the political organization referred to may have MT,
takenly assumed that the public spirited citizens" WIN
were 10 supplement the salary OF the Probation Officer
meant Pierre s. dupont and his friends. and (3 de
SIRE perhaps not wholly conscious. to control the Juve
nile Court for political purposes
Ma z. Paul dupont is = member Of the Board o.