The Mena weekly star., 1921-04-28

[ DOlt lOIDiu Qc tO CAbttl
 that national morality can prevail
 in exclusion of religious principle
 George Washington.
 That justice is not vindictive, ever tho it may be exacting. was one of the broad gauge truths sought to be i'm pressed upon the hundred or more boys and girls who were in circuit court Tuesday afternoon at the first annual observance of Boys and Par. ents' Day
 The youngsters and also the elders who thronged the courtroom heard other truths and much splendid advice from the speakers who were in the formal program, and as a finale heard frst-hand information of some condi- tions right at home that emphasized 1 the need of more such meetings.
 Tho Boys and Parents Day as a part of circuit court work, is a new idea, and it's origin is due to Polk county resident. J. o. Gates of Hat | field is credited with having first preached the idea to Judge J. S. Steel and the venerable jurist, who is ever endeavoring to help prevent the mak- ing of criminals in preference to the curing of them, gave the suggestion his approval In all the counties where Judge Steel has held court this year Boys and Parents Day has been on the official calendar. The success of such meetings has been such that i it is certain the day will be observed annually so long as Judge Steel re- mains on the bench.
 | Among those of the younger ele- ment that heard Tuesday afternoons program were half dozen boys who have in previous terms of court been before the bar of justice charged with some violation of the criminal code. These boys, instead of being confined to prison for their first mishap with the law, were paroled-in other words, were given a chance to redeem themselves. Judge Steel reports that all these boys are making good, that | they are living up to their promises to attend school, church, and refrain from association with evil companions and to live honest and upright lives It is to save other boys and girls
 
 get them into the tolls of the law that the observance of Boys and Par ents' Day is especially intended. The speakers at Tuesday afternoons ses- sion took up different ideas that will help boys and girls travel the straight path, and some also called attention to the fact that the youngsters cannot be expected to go right unless the parents are right.
 This was especially emphasized in the talk by Miss Leonora Rector, the county probation officer. Without flourish of oratory, or any attempt to work on the sympathies of the audi ence, Miss Rector gave, in a direct, straightforward fashion, recital of some of the things she had found in Polk county in the few months she has been in service. It was a revela- ton to many of the audience to know that some of the things could exist iii a Christian community, and some of the conditions revealed are not exactly complimentary. Miss Rector's report made plain that children are mainly what their parents make them. In other words, boys and girls that are not given chance to live clean, de- cent lives cannot be expected to be- come good citizens.
 Miss Rector's work with her is one largely of love, and she puts world of sympathy and understanding in her labors with the unfortunate The au- dience must have understood this, for when. the little lady had stopped talk ing she was given as much applause as the biggest man on the afternoons program.
 Another speaker who won favor be- cause of the direct manner in which he presented some plain, simple truths, was Mena resident, Mark P. Olney. Mir. 0lney was the last of the scheduled speakers, and he wanted to be excused, but the audience insisted that it could stand more speeches and insisted that he go ahead. And go ahead MT. Olney did, proceeding to give in plain words, without waste of language, some mighty practical ad- vice.
 Mr. Olney's chief thought was that nothing worth while in life is attained without effort. He told his hearers, and the words were intended mainly for the younger ears, that there was no easy road to success in anything. The speaker used illustrations from everyday life to show the truth of these things.
 | When Judge Steel called the meet 1 ing to order at 1:30 p. m.. there was not near enough seats in the court room to accommodate the assembled court. Many stood up the entire two hours. Judge Steel presented as the | first speaker, A. D. Dulaney of Ashdown, former prosecuting attor- ney of the district Mir. DuLaney spoke briefly of the work of the states system of paroling juvenile offenders and explained many of the details of this law. The Ashdown at torney praised the humanity of such legislation and gave numerous illus trations from his own experiences to prove that the policy of giving the juvenile offenders chance was a wise one While prosecuting attor. they, Mir DuLaney made a notable rec ord for his treatment of first offend. CTS, and many boys and young mer turnout the ninth district are today enjoying freedom and endeavoring tt become good citizens because thu Ashdown man helped them instead o1 prosecuting them.
 The principal address of the after noon was that by the Rev. J. b. Ham