The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-06-03
For Neglected and
Derelict Children

A number of the good women Of st.
Francois county again met with the
County Court on May 21st, for the
purpose Of further consideration Of
the proposition of the establishment
of county home for the protection
and care Of delinquent and neglected
children, Of which there are surpris-
ingly large number in this county.
Several reports were made by rep
resentative women from different
parts Of the county. Judge r. C.
Tucker, Probation Officer, made re-
port of some of his Investigations into
the matter of deficient and neglected
children, which aroused greatest in
terest on the part of all who were
present. He also read letter from
the Probation Officer of Butler coun-
ty, where there has already been pre-
pared a detention home. similar to
what is in contemplation in this coun-
ty.
The County Judges seemed to be
deeply interested in the facts that
had been brought forth, and on the
suggestion of Judge Tucker they
agreed to go to Poplar Bluff, in com
pany with the Judge, to investigate
further into the working and manage
ment of the home in that county. This
trip was made as per schedule and
disclosed the fact that the people Of
Butler county are very enthusiastic
over the solution of this big question
as it has been worked out there, which
action had been forced by the Proba-
tion Officer of that county, who final
ly put the matter up to the court in a
way as to result in the, establishment
of detention home, by saying that he
could get no just results from his
work, and therefore he would be COM
PEELED to resign if such home was
not established. That brought the
matter to a head, and has resulted
most benefcially there.
Both the Presiding Judge of the
Butler County Court and the Proba-
tion Officer said the plan was working
splendldly aray had airsady resulted
in great good. The visitors made j
trip to the detention home, which they
found to be in excellent order, the
surroundings altogether sanitary, and
the children being well cared for and
happy in their improved surround
ings. The County Court of Butler
county authorized the Probation Of
ficer to lease house and have it pro-
vided with modern conveniences, and
to secure matron to have charge of
it, the court members pledging them
selves to pay the rent and all Incl
dental expenses.
The actual results that have been
accomplished in Butler county have
been a pleasing surprise to the Coun-
ty Court there, as that institution has
been kept going in good shape by the
payment Of $4 week board for each
child that is there being reclaimed for
good citizenship. If such work can
be made success in Butler county,
then how much more important would
a similar work in st. Francois county
appear to be, where there are at least
several times the number Of neglect
ed and delinquent children to be looked
after, if the race is not going to be
permitted to deteriorate.
The splendid women, who have de-
termined that childhood must be pro-
tected, will again meet with the Coun-.
ty Court on Wednesday afternoon,
June 8th, to try and push this impor-
tant matter to successful conclusion.
While it is impossible to tell at this
time what action will be taken, it is
perfectly plain that somsthing will
have to be done in this matter in the
near future. While it is to be deeply
regretted that such deplorable condi-
tions exist in this county, such regret
will do absolutely no good unless the
matter is pressed to an absolute So
luton. Regret alone will not save
single child. 1t is not regret that is
wanted for the many neglected and
ierelict children in this county. 1t is
relief, and surely the taxpayers of ST..
Francois county will not object to the
necessary expense of such reclama-