The Washington times., 1922-07-04
MINNIE : CASE
OFFERS STUDY
IN SOCIOLOGY
Child Was Rated a Criminal by
Laws intricacies, Although
Mere Truant.
BY JUDGE WILLIS BROWN.

Vt0to steossks
BY JUDGE WILLIS BROWN.
Minnie Is twelve years of age.
Minnie's mother Is from thirty.flve
to forty.
Minnie's step.father is twenty.
three
Minnie's mother has employment
This necessitates her leaving home
before Minnie departs for school.
Therefore when Minnie's mother
and step-father leave In the morning
Minnie is alone.
Thus II came about that Minnie
was frequently late for school.
Child Was Tardy.
Following tardiness. came absence
from school.
The mother was notified. and be-
came very indignant because her
daughter was so very ~illful and
disobedient.
Then II was that some neiShbors
talked. and gave information that
after mother and step-father left the
home. Minnie entertained guests.
talked with one Of the truant Of.
ficers Of the public schools Of the
District about Minnie.
The truant officers have duties to
perform. These duties consist IN In.
vestigating all cases where pupils
are absent without cause or excuse
from regular sessions OF school.
Thus II came about that Minnie
was taken to the Juvenile Court un.
der charges
The paper which was filed in the
case of Minnie. age twelve. recited
that the Corporation Council prose.
cutes one individual, 1. e., Mime,
aged twelve for violating law
against the form and statute made
and provided and against the peace
and Government Of the United
States Of America"
Rated As Criminal.
So Minnie. the school girl. aged
OF the United States for a few mo-
to punish said individual for violat.
ing the law Of the land.
OF course. Minnie Is found guilty
In most cases in this Juvenile Po-
lice Court. facts are dealt with and
the prisoner has not the opportun-
ity to have witnesses prove the al
legations.
In most cases the little girl or
wondering boy tells with positive.
ness all about their deeds or mis-
deeds
Parents are also asked and ad-
vised to tell all about the delin.
quencies OF their children.
Largely upon this testimony tudg.
ment is found.
In Minnie's case she was declared
guilty and committed TO the agent
of the Board of Children's Guardians.
In making this commitment there
passes from the case" the truant
officer. of whom the law makes a
complainant and tower in" Of
the child.
When judgment Is entered there
passes from all control the agent Of
transfer Of child from mother to the
Government OF the United States.
Then Minnie is with the strange
lady, who reads reports about the
girl and proceeds to act.
First in order was a visit to the
store where Minnie was outfitted
with clothes.
The statute made and provided"
in regard TO public school attend.
anCe by children who are infants
in law reCites that
Every parent. guardian, or
trict of Columbia having control
of a child between the ages OF
eight and fourteen years shall
cause such child to be regularly
instructed in the elementary
branches Of knowledge-and pur-
suant Of this shall cause said
child to attend school. etc.
So the laws command Is for Min
MES mother and not Minnie and
II the child is not in school the
law recttes that the parent shall
be punished. not the child.
THERE is NO LEGAL PROVI.
SION FOR THE PUNISHMENT
OF ANY CHILD BY LAW FOR
FAILURE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
In this case the fact that Minnie's
mother was not improvident, ard
that Minnie had many clothes Of
proper condition, did not enter into
the consideration.
There was available certain
fund with which the agent for the
Government and representing the
Board Of Children's Guardians could
call upon for the purchase of cloth.
ing for the charges of the Govern.
ment.
Then Minnie was placed in a
boarding house. OF course thi,
boarding house was the home of the
woman who kept it. and therefore
the more polite name given it was
"a home"
Minnie was instructed by the
agent to attend school or more dire
things might happen to her.
The woman of the home" was
instructed to see that Minnie start
ed for school each morning, and in
case Of any absence or tardiness to
report to the agent
l talked with the agent and ascer.
tained that Minnie's mother visited
her. brought clothes from a trunk
full OF suitable garments belonging
TO Minnie.
The mother was relieved of the
care Of the child. and gave more
time to personal enjoyment with a
rather new husband.
! secured a copy of the complaint
which brought Minnie under the
law.
OF the probation officer Of the
Juvenile Court l asked to be shown
the statute made and provided
which the girl, Minnie, violated.
This officer could not find II.
He did produce the Juvenile Court
act which on va tha,,.