but the Superintendents of the Poor to whom I applied to care for him, thought differently, so the Justice of the Peace before whom the boy was arraigned had no other resource than to sentence him to the Reform School, as preferable to keeping him under the baneful influences which had thus far surrounded him at home. This class of cases is not rare, and from my experience, gained in investigating them, I am forced to believe that the provisions of the law relative to neglected or abandoned children should be made applicable to such cases. As the law now stands, and is interpreted, no child is to be admitted under its control except he first be turned over to the Superintendents of the County Poor, their names placed upon the County books, accepted as wards of the county. This does not reach all required. A little power delegated to the Agents, or some other proper person, to be officially exercised upon such children as are complained of as would never fall into the hands of the Superintendents of the Poor, would save many from a life of crime by placing them beyond the association of corrupt practices. I suppose the ultimate object our Legislators had in view, in giving us the law in question was to make better citizens, preventing crime. If so, then we must attempt to include the class of children in which criminals are made. I think statistics will show, that at least four-fifths of the criminals now serving sentence in our prisons and reformatory institutions are those who never were a county charge. Paupers are seldom criminals. Pauper children are seldom charged with criminal conduct. They are properly cared for. The agent is to find a good home for them when possible. But the class of neglected and abandoned children of whom I am particularly speaking, those whom the county agent is required to take cognizance, are not included in the law as candidates for the State Public School. Therefore, it becomes necessary, from the simple fact that their names are not enrolled upon the county books, to send them to the House of Correction, the Reform School, or remand them back to their former position, under suspended sentences. I would open wide the arms of charity, and bring in all dependent and neglected children who are without home, eking a miserable existence from unsympathizing friends, or the uncharitable stranger. A case to illustrate: About a year since, the Supervisor of a neighboring town applied to me as Agent, presuming I had power to act, for relief for a boy about eleven years of age, whose mother was dead and whose father was a patient in an Insane Asylum. Both had been favorably known and highly respected, and acquaintances were not unwilling to give the boy a few meals of victuals, a rew nights lodging, occasionally a cast off garment, but they were unwilling to adopt him as a permanent member of their family. He was fast falling into evil habits, and the Supervisor's attention was called to the case. Hence his application to me. I informed him I had no official authority to act in the matter, recommended him to turn the boy over to the County Superintendents of the Poor, but he would assume no such duty, and no one else would, consequently the boy is at large, fast becoming a notorious, bad boy. I think positive administration of justice is required in such cases, and upon the proper showing of the facts by some competent person, this boy, and others similarly situated, should be made the protege of the State, and admissible to State Institutions, whether he has become a county charge or not. I am aware that so comprehensive a scheme would prove a large undertaking for the State, but I think as a matter of justice, and I might say economy, the State can do no less than to throw her protecting arm around all her neglected little ones, and secure to them such an influence as will make good citizens and prove a lasting honor to the State. Such being the class of cases I have had most to deal with, I feel compelled to urge their claims upon the State, fully convinced that a large majority of them, if timely cared for, will make honorable men and women, and hope that some way may be suggested whereby they can be reached and cared for. I have naught but commendation to say regarding the present law. It works admirably, and its effects upon the poor children of the State have already reached a limit of usefulness the most earnest friends of the measure could hardly have anticipated. Also, the effect upon those complained of as violators of the law, have been appreciated, and has thoroughly reformed, as I believe, several bad boys, as more than one-half of those I have examined have been returned to their parents and guardians with every present prospect of remaining dutiful children. Its influence upon parents is decidedly valuable, prompting them to a more rigid discipline, especially after complaints have been noticed. In one case the parents were wholly unaware of the waywardness of their little, eight year old boy, until he was complained of for burglary. They were respectable people. Their mortification was intense. The lad was returned to his parents, with a bit of experience never to be forgotten by any member of that family. Their daily prayers are full of thankfulness for the wisdom displayed by our law-makers in thus giving them a chance to reform their own child. They will do it. My dear sir, you will overlook the sending of this to you in so crude a condition when I tell you I write with a felon on my hand, upon which my mind more centered than upon the views you desire. Scissor it as you please, for I have to curse the fates so much that I can not remodel it. Hoping it will be of some little use to you, I am, as ever, Truly yours, To His Excellency, the Governor : Dec. 4, 1876. DEAR SIR: Yours received asking comment on the law under which I am an agent for juvenile offenders. I think the law a success, and also a great saving in expenses. I will tell the story of two cases I investigated in the township of The names were and , arrested for burglary and made a confession of it, and carried back the stolen goods. I had them waive examination in justice's court, give bonds and let it go to the circuit court (on account of jurisdiction), and by investigation I counseled the judge for a return of the boy to his home. Parents in good circumstances, home first-class; has had a good influence on boy, and parents also. — not having a good home, but a good mother, father dead and mother could not command him, I counseled the judge for the binding of him out until he was twenty-one years of age, for which he issued the order, and with the assistance of the judge of probate, we bound him to his uncle, which gives good satisfaction, and the result, the saving of a great expense and producing a better feeling and influence upon both children and parents. I consider the law based upon goodness, and the result of goodness will be shown in the rising generation, as well as a great saving. From your most obedient servant, The message was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Taylor, The Senate took a recess until 24 o'clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION. 2:30 o'clock. The Senate met and was called to order by the President. To the President of the Senate: SENATE CHAMBER, Lansing, January 4, 1877.) SIR,-Pursuant to a resolution of the Senate, I have appointed Edwin S. Hoskins, of Eaton County, Assistant Secretary of the Senate. Mr. Hoskins then came forward, took and subscribed the constitutional oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of his duties. MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND NOTICES. Mr. Nelson offered the following: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and is hereby instructed to furnish one thousand copies of the Governor's message printed in the English language, five hundred in the German, five hundred in the French, and one thousand in the Dutch language, for the use of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Read, The resolution was laid on the table. Mr. Burleigh offered the following: Resolved (the House concurring), That the Senate and House of Representatives meet in joint convention, in Representative Hall, to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock, to listen to such communication as the Governor may be pleased to make; Which was adopted. Mr. Taylor moved that the Senate take a recess for one hour; Which motion did not prevail. On motion of Mr. Adair, The Senate adjourned. Lansing, January 5, 1877. The Senate was called to order by the President, at 10 o'clock A. M. The President announced the appointment of Willie Packard, of Van Buren county, as Messenger, under the resolution of the Senate. MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE. The President announced the following: To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, I am instructed by the House to transmit the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the Senate concurring), That Valorus W. Bruce of Mecosta Co., be appointed Postmaster of the Senate and House, to distribute all mail matter belonging to the members of the Senate and House, at a compensation of three dollars per day; Which has passed the House, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, DANIEL L. CROSSMAN, Clerk of the House of Representatives. On motion of Mr. Read, The Senate concurred in the adoption of the resolution. To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR,-I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That the Senate and House of Representatives meet in joint convention in Representative Hall, to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock, to listen to such communications as the Governor may be pleased to make. In the passage of which the House has concurred. Very respectfully, DANIEL L. CROSSMAN, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The message was laid on the table. To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR, I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That the State printer be instructed to forward one copy of the daily Journal to each daily and weekly newspaper published in this State, and also to State officers and members of State commissions, to Circuit and Supreme Judges, and the county clerks in this State, and also to the resident clergymen of Lansing: And to inform the Senate that the House has amended the same by striking out the words "Circuit and Supreme Judges," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Judges of all courts of record." In the passage of which as amended the House has concurred. Mr. Morse moved that the Senate concur in the amendment made to the concurrent resolution by the House; Which motion prevailed. The President also announced the following: To the President of the Senate: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SIR,-I am instructed by the House to return to the Senate the following concurrent resolution: Resolved (The House concurring), That Allen L. Bours be, and is hereby appointed to compile and publish, without delay, under the direction of the committees on printing in the two houses, the usual number of Manuals, for the use of this and the next Legislature, at a price not to exceed the sum paid for compiling the last Manual. In the passage of which the House has concurred. DANIEL L. CROSSMAN, Clerk of the House of Representatives. The message was laid on the table. MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND NOTICES. Mr. Taylor offered the following resolution: Resolved, That rule 18 of the Senate be so amended as to provide for an additional committee on the Normal School; Which was not adopted. Mr. Morse offered the following resolution: Resolved (the House concurring), That when the Legislature adjourns to-day it be till Tuesday, Jan. 9th, at 11 o'clock A. M.; Which was adopted. Mr. Packard offered the following resolution: Resolved, That no smoking be allowed in this Senate Chamber, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms be required to enforce this rule. Mr. Burch moved that the resolution be laid on the table; Which motion did not prevail. Mr. Perrin moved to amend by inserting after the word "Chamber," the words "during the sessions of the Senate." Which motion did not prevail. Mr. Newcomb moved to amend by inserting after the word "Chamber," the words "cloak room and committee rooms." Which motion did not prevail. The resolution was then adopted. Mr. Baxter moved to reconsider the vote by which the Senate refused to adopt the following resolution: Resolved, That rule 18 of the Senate be so amended as to provide for an additional committee on the Normal School; Which motion prevailed. The question then recurring on the passage of the resolution. On motion of Mr. Edsell, The resolution was laid on the table. The Sergeant-at-Arms announced a Committee from the House, who informed the Senate that the House was in readiness to receive the Senate in joint convention, to hear the message of the Governor. On motion of Mr. Perrin, the Senate proceeded to the Hall of the House of Representatives to meet the House in joint convention. [For proceedings of joint convention, see House Journal.] The Senate returned to the Senate Chamber, and was called to order by the President. Roll called; a quorum present. The President announced that the Senate had met the House in joint convention, and had heard the message of the Governor. The President also announced the following: MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, To the President of the Senate: SIR, I am instructed by the House to transmit the accompanying message of the Governor delivered this day to the two Houses in joint convention. Very respectfully, DANIEL L. CROSSMAN, The message is as follows: Clerk of the House of Representatives. |