Chapter CXXV. *to incorporate the Guardian Society and reform Juvenile Offenders in the District of Columbia.* July 1, 1862. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Guardian Society incorporated
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Chap. CXXV.— An Act *to incorporate the Guardian Society and reform Juvenile Offenders in the District of Columbia.* July 1, 1862. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, Guardian Society incorporated. That Amos Kendall, John M. Broadhead, Zenas C. Robbins, Sayles J. Bowen, Nehemiah B. Northrup, Benjamin B. French, Joseph Bryan, Peter N. Higinbotham. Thomas C. Jenner, David W. Heath, Janies R. Barr, Matthew Waite, Samuel A.
H. McKim, John R. Nourse, and Stephen Premiss, and their associates and successors, being members of said society, by paying into its treasuryMembership. the sum of two dollars annually, or life members, by paying fifty dollars at one time, or ten dollars annually, for six years, are hereby incorporated and made a body politic by the name of the “Guardian Society” for theName and objects of the society. purpose of encouraging and aiding impartially such of the poor, the ignorant, and the vicious, as can be induced to make such efforts as they ought for the improvement of their condition, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, with the power to use a common seal, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, in any court of the United States, to collect subscriptions, make by-laws and rules needful for the governmentBy-laws. of said corporation not repugnant to the laws of the United States; may have, hold, and receive real and personal estate, by purchase, gift, orMay hold real &c., estate, &c. devise; may use, sell, or convey the same for the purposes and benefit of said corporation; may choose such officers and teachers as they mayOfficers. deem necessary, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.
Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted*, That they may, at their discretion,House of industry, inmates, &c. receive into a house of industry provided by said society any minors, under the age of eighteen years, who shall be convicted of any crime,500THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 125. 1862. offence, or misdemeanor, other than such as are capital or punishable by imprisonment for life; and such person[s] shall be committed by the court, or magistrate before whom the conviction shall be had, to said house of Alternate sentence.industry, with an alternate sentence to the jail or penitentiary of the District of Columbia if the trustees decline to receive or keep them, and to the commitments shall be annexed the names and residences of the witnesses examined and the substance of the evidence given.
Sec. 3. Same subject.*And be it further enacted*, That the court may, with the consent of accused persons, or their parents or guardians in writing, arrest proceedings at any time, and commit them Io the house of industry. Sec. 4. Same subject.*And be it further enacted*, That the trustees may receive any children at the request of the parents or guardians, or next friend, or the mother, if the father be dead, or has abandoned his family, or does not provide for their support, or is an habitual drunkard; such parents, guardians, or next friend, or mother, making a written surrender of such children.
Sec. 5. Trustees may reject certain offenders.*And be it further enacted*, That the trustees shall not be required to receive any offenders known to be extremely vicibus, nor to keep any who may prove incorrigible, or whose continuance may be deemed injurious; and those whom any two of the trustees or the superintendent, if duly authorized by the board, shall refuse to receive or keep, shall be disposed of according to their alternate sentences. Sec. 6. Witnesses and certain persons held for trial to go to house of industry.*And be it further enacted*, That persons committed as witnesses, and those under the age of eighteen years committed for trial, shall be placed in the house of industry instead of the jail or penitentiary, unless they are so vicious that placing them in it should be deemed injurious.
Sec. 7. Term of commitment.*And be it further enacted*, That no commitment shall be for a shorter term than until the offender is reformed or twenty-one years of age, except such as may be committed for trial or as witnesses; but any of them who may be deemed to be thoroughly reformed may be discharged during good behavior, on the order of the board of trustees, duly entered upon their record. Sec. 8. Power of superintendent.*And be it further enacted*, That the superintendent may, with the concurrence of the board of trustees, govern the inmates, preserve order, enforce discipline, impart instruction in the veneration and love of God, in morality, useful knowledge, and some regular course of labor, and establish rules for the preservation of health and their proper physical, intellectual, and moral training, until they are reformed and discharged, Trustees may bind out inmates.or twenty-one years of age, or remanded as incorrigible.
The trustees may bind out, with their consent, by indenture, atty who may appear to be sufficiently reformed, where they will have the benefit of good example, wholesome instruction, and other means of improvement in virtue and knowledge, and the opportunity of becoming intelligent, moral, and useful members of society. They may appoint a committee of one or more of their own number to execute and deliver indentures, which shall be filed and kept in the office of the house of industry.
The superintendent Superintendent may let out inmates to hire.may let out inmates to hire during the daytime to employers whose work is not too distant from the house of industry for him to have the general inspection of their conduct and the treatment they receive. Sec. 9. Untrustworthy and unreformed apprentices.Fugitives.*And be it further enacted*, That if any apprentices, prove untrustworthy and unreformed, the trustees may, at their discretion, permit their return, and order the indentures cancelled.
Fugitives from the house of industry, or from apprenticeship, may be arrested and returned to the house of industry by a sheriff, constable, police officer, or an officer of the house of industry, on the written order of any two of the trustees or the superintendent. Sec. 10. Private examinations, when permitted.*And be it further enacted*, That persons under the age of eighteen years shall be entitled to a private examination and trial, if theyTHIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. II.
Ch. 125, 126. 1862.501 request it in writing, at which only the parties shall be admitted, their parents, guardians, or other legal representatives. Sec. 11. *And be it further enacted*, That the expenses of maintenanceExpenses of maintenance of inmates, how paid. of the inmates committed for offences against the people, or for trial, or as witnesses, shall be paid by the county, and those of persons committed by parents, guardians, or next friends, shall be paid by the persons committing them, unless the trustees shall otherwise determine.
The rates ofRates. expenses shall be fixed by the board of trustees. Sec. 12. *And be it further enacted*, That the grounds, and the buildingsGrounds, &c., exempt from taxation. thereon, for the use of said society, shall be exempt from taxation. Approved, July 1, 1862.