The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1865-09-12 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

VIE PROTECTION OF INFANT LIFE.  To the Editors.  One of the most difficult probl-e-MS-tO solve in the present day, is how to check the crime of infanticide. lam not vain enough to suppose that I have discovered the panacea; but having been engaged for the last fourteen years in trying to protect the friendless and rescue the fallen, I feel that I must try with others at least to init'gate this great monster vice. First, I recommend that the affiliation of children be a compulsory act on the part of its mother within three mouths of its birth, not merely for securing support for the child, but more especially for the proper registration of the paternity of the child. The coat of this proceeding should in the first instance fall on the parish adthorities in which the child is born, but be afterwards repaid by the putative father, or in default let him be sent to prison. Further, that every affiliated child be duly registered in the surname of ita father.  As the law stands at present, any married man deserting his children, and leaving them chargeable to the parish, is liable to be apprehended and oommitted to priron as a "rogue and a vagabond." A poly this to the fathers of illegitimate children- The crime is the same: the Censequences of desertion are similar, and th obligations to duty are alike in natural right, therefore let equal offenders be punished by the same penalty. Any mother of an illegitimate child neglecting to give notiee to the vestrV clerk of the pariah or registrar of the district in which the said child is born, within three calendar months of its birth, should be liable to fine or imprisonment; or any solicitor preparing or executing any agreement between the parents of such children for the care, support, or education of such child or children, otherwise than as the law prescribes, should likewise be liable to fine. Now, I am quite prepared to find that my suggestions are at best but impracticable when criticised by those better acquainted with the difficulties of the case than I am; but the subject is one of the greatest importance to us all, and one, therefore, in which we should not allow a few difficulties to daunt UP, but should rather quicken us in our endeavours to save human life, and so many young : women from the crime of murder. Depend upon it there is but one remedy for this crime; and in my judgment, it is this :—equalize the shame, the care, the trouble, and EXPENSE of illegitimate children on their FATHERS las well as their MOTHERS, and you will do very much to check the crime of infanticide. With the view of seeking further legislation for the protection of and better I care of illegitimate children, I propose that a memorial I upon the subject be presented to the Home Secretary as early as possible in the next session of Parliament and that mean% bile an association be formed of all persons interested, in order to the collection of evidence, diffusion of information, and exciting the public mind upon this painfully interesting subject. I shall be glad to receive suggestions in writing from any part of the United Kingdom, also to receive the names of persons desirous of becoming members of this association; and to work the association with vigour essential to success, some money will be required; to meet this, I therefore ask for oontributions of five shillings and upwards. If at all successful, I will form a special and responsible committee to carry out the objects of the emaciation ; and also show, through a treasurer duly appointed, the receipts and expenditure. My own imperfect service will be given entirely gratuitously. I am, your obedient servant, K W. THOMAS, Sec. London Female Preventive and Reformatory Institution. Office, 200, Easton-road, N.W.