Here we have an average of 568 boys a year committed to jail previous to the establishment of the Juvenile Court, as compared with an average of 12 a year after the Juvenile Court was established. What more does Ohio want? Must her legislators be reminded of the fact that when a young child is committed to jail, there to herd with hardened, vicious criminals. and absorb their evil ideas, the result will be that when the boy comes out of jail he will be a criminal at heart, and sooner or later-in most instances sooner-will find his way back to jail, and eventually will reach the penitentiary, perhaps the gallows? According to Jailer Whitman's figures, 556 Chicago boys have been saved each year from certain careers of crime by being protected from a jail sentence through the benign operation of the Juvenile Court. From the economical as well as from the spiritual standpoint the Juvenile Court has proved the most effectual weapon ever forged by a body of law makers to be wielded in fighting crime and dependency. Ohio cannot afford to be dilatory. Ohio cannot afford to be lukewarm in this matter. Ohio demands a Juvenile Court Law, and will not be satisfied until child-saving legislation has been provided by her lawmakers. JUDGE LINDSEY'S WORK. The watchword of the philanthropists interested in Juvenile Court work has been, since the very inception of the idea, "A Juvenile Court for every state in the country." While Illinois, technically speaking, was the first stated to provide a court where juvenile defendants and delinquents could be dealt with apart from adult criminals, nevertheless Colorado followed so closely with a Juvenile Court that the two courts might truthfully be called "twin sisters in child-saving work." The Denver Juvenile Court was brought about mainly through the earnest efforts of Judge Benjamin B. Lindsey of that city. For the past three years no one has been more persistent in the practical, day-after-day spreading of the gospel of Juvenile Court work than Judge Lindsey. Withal, his work has been done so quietly that it is probable many of his fellow townsmen do not realize the record he has made along the line. During the past three years Judge Lindsey has made five speeches in Michigan, one in New Jersey, two in New York, two in Missouri, three in Kansas, at Lawrence and Topeka, two in Nebraska, three in Georgia, three in Oregon, five in Washington, eleven in California and five in Iowa, on the subject of the work accomplished by the Juvenile Court in saving young children from ultimate lives of crimes. To this list should be added two church addresses in Chicago on the boy problem. Including the state of Colorado. where, of course, Judge Lindsay is quite at home, and where he has made seventy-six addresses on the subject, he has carried the gospel of child-saving into thirteen states, and has made, in all, a total of one hundred and twenty speeches. This outside work has never taken Judge Lindsey away from his own court to exceed four weeks in any one year. As he has not had a vacation for two years. it may be readily estimated how indefatigable have been his efforts to persuade other states to take up the Juvenile Court idea. We do not believe there is another man or woman in the country who has done more along this line than Judge Lindsey. The old saying that "a prophet hath no honor except in his own country" would seem to apply in this case, according to reports which have come to us. Judge Lindsey understands the Juvenile Court problem as few others in the country understand it. As Judge of the Denver Juvenile Court, he is the ideal man in the ideal place. No one else could take his place in the work and fill it as he does. Denver cannot afford to be without Judge Lindsey at the head of her Juvenile Court. We trust the good people of Denver will bear, this in mind when the 15th of May comes around, and will support him for re-election with such earnestness that there shall be no danger of another man being put in Judge Lindsey's place. We feel that it is only just to Judge Lindsey to call the attention of the citizens of Denver to the remarkable work he is doing as judge of the Denver Juvenile Court, and at the same time to remind them of the high opinion in which he is held by the best people throughout the country because of his efforts to raise up the fallen and to protect the weak, wherever possible, from falling at all. BALTIMORE JUVENILE COURT. The statistics contained in the report made by Judge Charles W. Heuisler of the work of the Baltimore (Md.) Juvenile Court during the first eighteen months of its existence indicate that it is quietly doing a great amount of good, and fully justifies the establishment of the court. It is needless to state that this justification does not come as a surprise to those who understand the letter and the spirit of Juvenile Court legislation. Just as certainly as day follows night, and night, in its turn, drops a mantle of darkness over the earth, so certain are the results that may be expected from the operation of the Juvenile Court. The only wonder is that this success should be considered by the daily newspapers in connection with the Juvenile Court work as a matter out of the ordinary. A certain cause is bound to produce a certain effect, in Juvenile Court work as in physics or mathematics. No one considers it an extraordinary thing for water to run down hill, or for 2+2 to make 4. The principles underlying the Juvenile Court laws, when applied to human lives can produce but one effect-the uplifting of the human entity who has been so fortunate as to fall under the benign influence of the Juvenile Court, and through that entity, the uplifting of the whole family, and eventually, the entire community. The Baltimore court began its work on July 1, 1902. Judge Heuisler's report covers the period from that time to January 1, 1904, during which time 3,360 cases were brought before the court. Of these 2,380 were dismissed, while 302 were released on parole. The parole feature of the Juvenile Court has worked well in Baltimore. Out of the 231 boys whose parole has expired, only 28 were re-arrested after its expiration. Judge Heuisler gives a comparative statement showing the number of commitments to reformatory institutions and to jail during the eighteen months since the Juvenile Court has been in operation, and during a corresponding period before its establishment. The statement shows in figures which cannot be controverted, that through the operation of the Juvenile Court hundreds of children are kept out of jail and reformatories. Judge Heuisler estimates the money saving that has come to the city of Baltimore in this way at $21,000-more than a thousand dollars a month. CHILD SAVING IN NEW YORK CITY A very serious matter that has been brought to light by the operation of the children's court of New York is the existence of schools of crime, in which children are taught by young Fagins to perfect themselves in theft. The teachers in East Side schools reported the existence of such seminaries of crime, and the offi-, cers of the court found that the report was true. Among the Italians and Jews the work of these professors of criminality was found to be most persistent. The aid of the Catholic clergy and officers of the Catholic charities was sought. The Jewish community also appointed representatives to look after their erring young ones. The result of this policy of inquiry promises to be very good. A boy does not become bad without passing through a sort of apprenticeship, and apprenticeship presupposes a teacher. So the court is hunting down the Fagins and trying to lead their victims into better ways. In the majority of cases the children are released on parole. They may have to report to the court or to one of the charitable organizations. In any case the young offender is not lost sight of. Sometimes he is warned that the clemency of the court will depend on his giving up certain society. If, on report, the conditions are found to be satisfactory, the judge will turn his inquisition from its accustomed channel to educational matters and, if possible, secure the child's interest. One unmistakably good result has already come about through the agency of the children's court. The children are no longer allowed to grow up unlooked-after. Each case that comes before the court is taken careful note of and the career of the child thenceforward is followed by interested and benevolent eyes. REPORT OF THE S. P. C. C. The twenty-ninth annual report of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children opens with the following extract from an address by its president, John D. Lindsay: "Twenty-nine years have elapsed since a shocking instance of child torture aroused the indignation of the society's founders and brought it into being. Its office then consisted of one small room. To-day its building affords facilities, not only for the proper discharge of the official duties it is called upon to perform, but also for the temporary shelter and care of the little unfortunates of the metropolis-either culprits, victims or outcastswho otherwise would be sent to prisons or station houses, and for whom, indeed, no other refuge is provided. The superintendent's report shows that during the past year no less than 7,294 children were given shelter, fed, and cared for at the society's rooms. Of 7,640 cases prosecuted by it, 6,083 have resulted in convictions." The superintendent's report contains the following facts: Since its inception the society has received 166,768 complaints, involving the custody of 481,582 children; 65,469 cases were prosecuted, resulting in 59,703 convictions, and 110,469 children have been rescued and cared for. In the year 1903 10,145 complaints were received and investigated; 7,640 prosecuted; 6,083 convicted, and 8,465 children rescued, relieved and placed in positions where they would be properly cared for, clothed and educated. The reception rooms of the society sheltered, fed and clothed 7.294 children during the year. COLLECTIONS FROM PARENTS. The society, with the assistance of the court of special sessions and city magistrates, collected during the year from parents for the support of children committed to institutions, $21,830.15, which sum was paid into the treasury of the city and county of New York. The sum thus returned to the city was reduced in the year, not by lack of action by the society, but because all cases of destitute children are now referred to the bureau of dependent children, department of charities, and do not pass through the society's hands, except to be referred as above stated. The establishment by that department of a system whereby parents, where able, are required to contribute toward the maintenance of their children in city institutions resulted in the collection of $12,820.94, the greater part of which under the former system would have been collected by the society, resulting in a material increase (instead of decrease) over the amount paid to the city in 1902. INSTANCES OF CASES. A large number of cases are cited where those who have illtreated children were punished by the courts. Many of these cases are of a serious nature, but some of them are of simple cruelty, like the following: The cruel treatment of a child of ten years by stolid and indifferent relatives and custodians came to the attention of the so ciety at this time, its officers having found Stephen Cosdo, an Italian lad, on a hot summer day, carrying loads of ice, far beyond his years, while his brother, Frank Cosdo, twenty-five years of age, exerted himself only to the extent of placing these burdens upon the shoulders of the little fellow, and remaining in his cool basement until the boy should return for another load, often to be carried up three or four flights of stairs of the tenements of the neighborhood of No. 112 East One Hundred and Second street, where the coal and ice cellar was located, the child sometimes staggering beneath the weight of the burden imposed upon him. It was under these circumstances that the officers arrested the older brother and took the younger one in custody and to the rooms of the society. Aside from the cruel task imposed. the boy had been kept in a state of great neglect, and the condition of his person and clothing was that of the typical coalheaver. It was ascertained that the child had been brought to this country but a few months previous to this time at the instance of his brother, and that no effort had been made to give him any educational advantages, but he had been constantly engaged as found, in the heaviest of tasks. The relief felt by the child in his exemption from previous conditions was plainly apparent. His unfeeling brother and taskmaster was later convicted in the court of special sessions, and the child himself, after being removed from his former custodians, was placed by the court in an institution in which he will be given an opportunity to acquire an education, and receive the care that had heretofore been denied him. ANOTHER CASE. Here is another of the same type: "Dear Sur, Society-Please call at 1st Ave. bet. 31 and 32. and you will find a red-heded boy who has no home, and his mother is a bum, and goes with all the bums. She calls herself Maggy Murphy, and the boy goes under the name of Murphy or Hickey. It will be a god-send to put him away. worse. "A MOTHER." This complaint, illy scrawled on a postal card, meant much for the neglected, nine-year-old child to whom it referred. There is no section of the city so abandoned but that some kindhearted persons, possibly degraded themselves, are ready to attract relief to suffering childhood, such as existed in this case. The mother of the child, Peter Hickey, was a drunkard—and She had no home, except as she found one among those as abandoned as herself, and her child had for some time found his only sleeping place on the roofs and in the hallways of the tenements of the neighborhood, and, in the matter of food, was supplied by the charity of the neighbors. When found by the officers of the society he was in an altogether pitiable condition. and was taken into custody and to the rooms of the society, where he was given a bath and warm food and clothing, all of which he greatly needed. Nothing could be ascertained from the mother or the child as to the whereabouts of the father, and at a later date Justice Olmsted, in the children's court, committed Peter Hickey to St. Agatha's Home. The mother of the child soon afterwards died in Bellevue hospital from alcoholism. Of the more serious cases, it is enough to say that during the year there were prosecuted at the instance of the society twentyone cases of felonious assault upon young girls, in which cases sentences aggregating one hundred and twenty years of imprisonment were passed upon the offenders. There were, also, for such offenses, sentences in three cases to indefinite terms in the Elmira reformatory. HOW CHILDREN ARE DISPOSED OF. The tabular statement of the society's work for the year 1903 reads as follows: Complaints received Cases convicted . 10,145 Complaints investigated 9,690 Complaints, advice given. Cases prosecuted 455 7,640 6,083 Children relieved and placed in homes and institutions. 8.465 7.294 68 129 172 45 127 Cases investigated at request of city magistrates. Not proper cases for commitment. TEXAS HOME FOR ORPHANS. The board of the Texas Presbyterian Home for Orphans appointed by the last Presbyterian synod is preparing to act in the matter of providing a home for the orphans of the southwest. An outline of the synod's action at Marlin last year is as follows: I. That the synod proceed to organize a Texas Presbyterian Home, by the election of a board of trustees, consisting of thirteen members representing the presbyteries of the synod. 2. The board shall organize, outline plans, contemplating donating a location may have an idea of what the synod expects. 3. Prepare a charter, and incorporate, when institution is located. 4. Solicit and receive funds, legacies, donations, etc., present needs of institution, investigate sites, and when the way is clear secure a location. 5. To endeavor to raise a fund of not less than $30,000. The subject has been discussed in an informal manner, some favoring the following plan, which has been submitted: I. Not simply another orphanage, but an ideal orphanage, in a good, healthy location, near the center of synod, not forgetting that Indian territory and Oklahoma territory are parts of the synod, and preferably near a strong center of Presbyterian influ ence. 2. The cottage and home life features exclusively, with both a father and a mother over each home if possible, and every home surrounded by those things found in an average good home. 3. With a central kitchen and dining hall and infirmary, if this be found practical. 4. With school facilities of their own, from kindergarten to first year in college, with daily Bible and doctrinal studies. 5. With facilities to train the children in some useful avocation after they have reached the proper age. 6. The home is to be able to care for not fewer than thirty when it is first opened, with ground room sufficient to increase the capacity tenfold as the need may require. "The primary end of all education is the complete development of a sound childhood into a perfect manhood and womanhood." ST. LOUIS BOYS ESCAPE. Stuart Scobel, 15, and Walter Nieman, 14 years old, who escaped from Deputy Sheriff Ben Heet, inside the House of Refuge grounds, two other boys attempting to get away at the same time, were captured three hours later in East St. Louis by Detective William Kane. The boys were found at the relay station, where they said they were waiting for a train on which to beat their way to Alton. Walter Nieman, Stuart and Rex Scobel, twins, and Walter Gardner were arrested by fourth district police on charges of shoplifting and thefts from the lockers and clothing of employes of downtown stores. The boys confessed that they had stolen large quantities of cutlery, jewelry, silverware and considerable money since they banded together. They were held by the police until warrants were issued and sent to the Juvenile Court. Judge McDonald took up the cases and sentenced Rex Scobel to five years in the State Reformatory. He reserved sentence in the case of Gardner. Deputy Sheriff Heet of the Juvenile Court started to take the boys back to the detention ward at the House of Refuge. With them he took Spencer Hudson and Albert Eaton. The boys were taken on a Bellefontaine car, and under orders from Judge McDonald were not handcuffed. They defied the anti-spitting law by expectorating on the floor of the street car and got into a row with the conductor when they tried to smoke cigarettes. Heet, after considerable difficulty, got the boys inside the House of Refuge grounds fence. He was in front of the office when the Scobel brothers, Nieman and Gardner ran. They outfooted the deputy, but a boy trusty at the House of Refuge joined in the chase and caught Rex Scobel and Gardner. Search was made for the other boys, but they had made their escape. Heet returned to the Four Courts and informed Judge McDonald and Chief Desmond of the escape. The police of all the districts and of East St. Louis and surrounding cities were notified. Scobel and Nieman stole rides on street cars to the Eads bridge. From a store near the bridge they stole two boxes of chocolates, one of which they gave to a wagon driver to take them to East St. Louis. Deputy Sheriff Heet brought the boys back to the House of Refuge, and, with Judge McDonald's permission, put hankcuffs on them to prevent further attempts at escape. The Los Angeles Detention Home has now been in operation long enough to enable those most interested in the work to form a fair idea as to its value. It is the opinion of every one who has watched the work of the home that it is fulfilling all expectations. Judge Wilbur says of it: "It is doing good work in showing children that there is a stage in their conduct where the parental authority, if too lax, will be superseded." "Everything is most satisfactory. I have yet to learn of a case where any boys or girls whom we have attended to have behaved badly," says Chief Probation Officer Dodds. "The demeanor of the children who have been here in the home has been all that could possibly have been asked. I have heard but one word of profanity and have not experienced a single case of disobedience," says Mrs. Pratt, matron of the home. Since the old county jail was remodeled and fitted up as a place where juvenile offenders can be kept in custody temporarily, twenty-eight boys and three girls have been inmates. Of these, only one has been sent to Whittier, young Soward, who sawed a hole in the side of a shop and stole a watch. Homes have been found for two girls and one boy, several have been released on probation, and there are now fourteen boys and no girls in custody. HOW THE HOME IS MANAGED. Mrs. Pratt's statement of how things have been running in the new institution is interesting. The children get up at 6 o'clock in the morning and are marched over to the county jail for breakfast. Then they come back and are put to work cleaning up the home. This has taken a good deal of time, and the old jail building needed a thorough application of soap and water to make it presentable. The greater part of the morning is spent in this way. Then comes the march out to dinner, and the afternoon is spent partly in recreation and partly in work. The boys, though they vary in age from 8 to 16, and include all colors and nationalities, know no class distinctions, and enjoy themselves very well in the big play room. There are no quarrels, no displays of viciousness, no mutinies against the gentle rule of the matron and Major Oliver. All is peace and harmony. After supper the evening is spent in reading. A room has been fitted up with a long table and chairs, and supplied with such magazines and books as interested persons have donated. INTERESTED IN READING. "It is surprising," Mrs. Pratt says, "the interest they take in the reading matter and the care with which they handle the books and papers. Nearly all of them are fond of reading and some spend hours in quiet enjoyment of stories and articles in old Youth's Companions and other magazines we have received. "In the evening I read to them and they all sit as quietly as possible all the time. When we arranged the reading room I asked them how they wanted it managed. Two or three of the boys had been up at the city library and said they wanted it like that, so they held a sort of meeting and voted on it, and all voted that the reading room should be kept perfectly quiet, and they stand nobly by their self-imposed regulation." Cleanliness is a virtue that is preached and practiced from morning to night in the home. When the children first come in they are supplied with overalls, colored shirts and stockings, and required to wash themselves and their own clothing thoroughly. The clothing they bring with them is then put away until such time as they leave, when it is given back to them. One incident caused a little ripple of sensation among the boys, which might have ended in a serious scatter, but the foresight of Mrs. Pratt prevented the mutiny from having any general results. One boy was brought in who, it was readily seen, was of a vicious nature, and formed a scheme whereby all were to escape from Major Oliver when coming back from dinner. As he was a new comer they did not accept him as a leader, but it was agreed that they were to halt at a certain point, the new boy was to make a dash for liberty, and when the major was watching him two others were to follow, and then the balance scatter in all directions. DARING PLOT. As they started out the matron noticed that something unusual was on foot and took two boys out of the line. These were the two who were to have followed the boy who had laid the plot. It proved that Mrs. Pratt's suspicions were well founded. As they came back from dinner the line halted in front of the court house and the new boy made his break for New High street. But the absence of the other two who were in the plot caused a hesitation on the part of the rest, which gave Major Oliver an opportunity to do the only thing possible, hustle them to the detention home. The boy who escaped was at liberty for several days, but was caught and placed under the more rigorous surveillance of the officers of the county jail, where he still remains. Probation Officer Dodds has charge of the cases where children have been paroled and required to report at stated periods to him. This is no light task, for there are over fifty probationers on the roll at the present time. They are all doing well, he states, and he is very well satisfied with the system. An incident on Broadway recently shows the result the detention home has had on at least one boy who has come within the range of detention home influence. SELLS PAPERS NOW. A reporter was going toward the court house, reading the headlines of a morning paper, when he heard a voice from somewhere near the ground exclaim: "Hello there!" Thinking it was merely a newsboy he paid no attention until he was nudged on the leg and the voice came again: "Hello there, fellah!" He looked down, and it was Charley Bethel, the youngster who had made the sensational record of hoboing from Albuquerque to the Needles when only 8 years of age. He was captured by the officers of the detention home, and after two weeks in custody released on probation. He became quite chummy with the reporter in the court room. "Well, how is business, Charley?" asked the scribe. "Pretty good," said that worthy. "See, I'm selling papers. I go to school week days and sell papers Saturdays. It's quite a ways out to where I live and I can't get down to sell every morning. P'rhaps I'll come down evenings next week." He showed the effects of his discipline at the home in many ways. He is very bright and determined to get ready to take a "real job in an office," he said. So far there has been no need for corporal punishment in the detention home, and the general effect is regarded as most salutary, not on children alone, but on parents as well. TEXT OF IOWA JUVENILE COURT BILL Senator Dunham of Madison county, Iowa, on Febuary 3 introduced a bill in the Iowa General Assembly which provides for a juvenile court in every county in the state. In this court shall be tried all incorrigible children, and any child brought up for any offense that would receive consideration in district or police court. The bill provides that a separate room be used for the hearing of such cases, and that there shall be excluded from the room all whose presence is not necessary to the conduct of the trial. The presiding judge may be the judge of the district court or of a higher court, or some one appointed by the district judge. The bill is the result of much hard work on the part of the club women of Iowa, and especially of the members of the various mothers' clubs throughout the state. Mrs. Isaac Lea Hillis, who is president of the Iowa State Mothers' clubs, has worked untiringly in the interest of the bill and in the work of drafting it. The plan outlined by the bill does away with the practice of bringing small children into courts where hardened criminals are tried. This intelligent move along the lines of reforming criminals should be started earlier in life is the idea of earnest women over the state, and in their opinion this bill constitutes the most feasible plan to get children away from bad influence. Should a child be convicted of any offense the judge may remand it to one of the state industrial schools, but the first effort made is to obtain a home in a good family where the child will know the guidance of adopted parents. The text of the original bill is as follows: An Act to Regulate the Treatment and Control of Dependent, Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: Section 1. This act shall apply only to children under the age of sixteen years who shall be found to be dependent or neglected, that is when any child is for any reason destitute or homeless or abandoned, or dependent upon the public for support; or has not proper parental care or guardianship; or who habitually begs or receives alms; or who is found living in any house of ill fame, or with any vicious or disreputable persons, or whose home, by reason of neglect, cruelty or depravity on the part of its parents, guardian or other person in whose care it may be found to be, is an unfit place for such a child, and to children who may be delinquent, that is, any child under the age of sixteen years who violates any law of this state or any city or town ordinance, or who is incorrigible; or who knowingly associates with thieves, vicious or immora! persons; or who is growing up in idleness and crime, or who knowingly frequents a house of ill fame, or who knowingly patronizes any policy shop or place where any gaming device shall be operated. PETITION TO THE COURT. Section 2. Any reputable person being a resident in a county having knowledge of a child in his county who appears to be either neglected, dependent or delinquent, may file with the clerk of the district court a petition in writing setting forth the facts verified by an affidavit. WARRANT. Section 3. Upon the filing of a petition a warrant shall issue requiring the person having the custody or control of the child, or with whom the child may be, to appear with the child at a place and time stated in the warrant, which time shall be not less than 24 hours after service. The parents of the child, if living, and their residence is known, or its legal guardian, if one there be, or if there is neither parent nor guardian, if his or her residence is not known, then some relative, if there be one, and his residence is known, shall be notified of the proceedings, and in any case the judge may appoint some suitable person to act in behalf of the child. If the person summoned as herein provided shall fail without reasonable cause to appear and abide the order of the court or to bring the child, he may be proceeded against as in case of contempt of court. On the return of the warrant or other process, or as soon thereafter as may be, the court shall proceed to hear and dispose of the case in a summary manner. Pending the final disposition of any case, the child may be retained in the possession of the person having charge of the same, or may be kept in some suitable place named by the court. PROBATION OFFICERS. Section 4. That in any county the district court shall have authority to appoint or designate one or more discreet persons of good character to serve as probation officers, to receive such salary as the board of supervisors may fix to be paid out of the county treasury. In case a probation officer shall be appointed by any court, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to notify the said probation officer, in advance when practicable, when any child under the age of sixteen years is to be brought before the said court; it shall be the duty of the said probation officer to make such investigation as may be required by the court, to be present in court to represent the interests of the child when the case is heard; to furnish to the court such information and assistance as the judge may require; and to take such charge of the child before and after the trial as may be directed by the court. DEPENDENT AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. Section 5. When any child under the age of sixteen years shall be found to be dependent or neglected within the meaning of this act, the court may make an order committing the child to the care of the State Industrial School, as provided by law, or some other suitable state institution, or to the care of some reputable citizen of good moral character, or to the care of some association willing to receive it, embracing in its objects the purpose of caring or obtaining homes for dependent or neglected children, which association shall have been accredited as hereinafter provided. The court may, when the health or condition of the child shall require it, cause the child to be placed in a public hospital or institution for treatment or special care, or in a private hospital or institution. GUARDIANSHIP. Section 6. In any case where the court shall award a child to the care of any association or individual in accordance with the provisions of this act, the child shall, unless otherwise ordered, become a ward, and be subject to the guardianship of the association or individual to whose care it is committed. Such association or individual shall have authority to place such child in a family with or without indenture, and may consent to the legal adoption of such child. Such guardianship shall not include the guardianship of any estate of the child. DISPOSITION OF DELINQUENT CHILDREN. Section 7. In the case of a delinquent child, the court may continue the hearing from time to time, and commit the child to the care or custody of a probation officer, and may allow said child to remain in its own home, subject to the visitation of the probation officer; such child to report to the probation officer as often as may be required, and subject to be returned to the court for further or other proceedings whenever such action may appear to be necessary; or the court may cause the child to be placed in a suitable family home subject to the friendly supervision of a probation officer, and the further order of the court; or it may authorize the child to be boarded out in some suitable family home in case provision by voluntary contribution or otherwise for the payment of the board of such child until a suitable provision may be made for the child in a home without such payment; or the court may commit the child, if a boy, to the State Industrial School for Boys, or if a girl, to the State Industrial School for Girls, or the court may commit the child to any institution within the county incorporated under the laws of this state that may care for delinquent children, or be provided by a city or county suitable for the care of such children. In no case shall a child be committed beyond his or her minority. A child committed to such institution shall be subject to the control of the board of managers thereof, and the said board will have power to parole such child on such conditions as it may prescribe; and the court shall on the recommendation of the board have power to discharge such child from custody whenever in the judgment of the court his or her reformation is complete, or the court may commit the child to the care and custody of some association that will receive it, embracing in its objects the care of neglected or dependent children, and that has been duly accredited as hereinafter provided. TRANSFER FROM JUSTICES AND POLICE MAGISTRATES. Section 8. When in any county a child under the age of sixteen years is arrested with or without warrant, such a child may, instead of being taken before a justice of the peace or police magistrate, be taken directly before the district court; or, if the child is taken before the justice of the peace or police magistrate, it shall be the duty of such justice of the peace or police magistrate, to transfer the case to the district court and the officer having the child in charge to take the child before that court, and in case the court may proceed to hear and dispose of the case in the same manner as if the child had been brought before the court upon petition as herein provided. In any case the courts shall require notice to be given, an investigation to be made as in other cases under this act, and may adjourn the hearing from time to time for the purpose. CHILDREN UNDER TWELVE YEARS NOT TO BE COMMITTED TO JAIL. Section 9. No court or magistrate shall commit a child under twelve years of age to a jail or police station, but if such a child is unable to give bail it may be committed to the care of the sheriff, police officer, or probation officer, who shall keep such a child in some suitable place provided by the city or county outside of the inclosure of any jail or police station. When any child shall be sentenced to confinement in any institution to which adult convicts are sentenced, it shall be unlawful to confine such child in the same building with such adult convicts, or to confine such child in the same yard or inclosure with such adult convicts, or to bring such child into any yard or building in which such adult convicts may be present. SUPERVISION OF INSTITUTIONS. Section 10. All associations receiving children under this act shall be subject to the same visitation, inspection and supervision by the board of control of this state as are the public institutions of this state, and it shall be the duty of the said board of control to pass annually upon the fitness of every such association as may receive, or deserve to receive, children under the provisions of this act, and every such association shall annually, at such time as said board shall decide, make report thereto, showing its condition, management and competency to adequately care for such children as are or may be committed to it, and such other facts as said board may require, and upon said board being satisfied that such association is competent and has adequate facilities to care for such children, it shall issue to the same a certificate to that effect, which certificate shall continue in force until revoked by the board. RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES. Section 11. The court, in committing children, shall place them as far as practicable in the care and custody of some individual holding the same religious belief as the parents of said child, or with some association which is controlled by persons of like religious faith of the parents of said child. INSPECTION BY COUNTY. Section 12. All associations receiving children under this act shall be subject to the same inspection and supervision by the grand jury and board of supervisors of the county as are other public institutions of the county. CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACT. Section 13. This act shall be liberally construed, to the end that its purpose may be carried out, to-wit: that the care, custody and discipline of a child shall approximate as nearly as may be that which could be given by its parents, and in all cases where it can properly be done the child be placed in an approved family home. Section 14. Nothing in this act shall be construed to repeal any portion of Chapter 8 of Title 13 of the Code of Iowa, 1897, and amendments thereto, establishing industrial schools for boys and girls; but this act shall be so construed as to increase the jurisdiction of the district court in relation to minors and to regulate the practice in that regard. |