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© 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller
NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
On-Line Library
32
HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS
OUTLINE. State Industrial Schools.
Who may make complaints.Age limit.Orthopedic Hospital.
Who is eligible.Age limit.Tuberculosis Hospital.
Admission.Who eligible.
Custodial Farm.
Status.Who eligible.
The Feeble Minded.
Who areA menace.
Sources for study of.
LESSON VIII--STATE INSTITUTIONS 33
Under the provisions of our Juvenile Court law, any reputable person having knowledge of a child in his or her county who appears to be neglected, dependent or delinquent can file a petition in the county court for investigation of the conditions under which such child is growing up. If there is a Juvenile Court held in the county, the petition is filed in that court. If any child under eighteen is found in need of custodial care such child may be committed by the Court to the care of a suitable person or institution. Unless sooner discharged, children may remain in the Industrial schools until they are twenty one years of age.The Orthopedic Hospital is for crippled, ruptured and deformed children and for those suffering from disease likely to cause them to become deformed. The Board of Control may in its discretion admit other crippled and deformed patients. Applications for admission to this Hospital must be accompanied by a certificate from a qualified physician giving the history of the case and the financial status of the patient. No age limit for patients at this Hospital is fixed by statute.
A hospital for indigent tuberculous persons was established by the State in 1911. Application for admission is made to the Board by a legally qualified physician on behalf of the patient. Provision is made for admission also of tuberculous patients, other than those for whom the hospital is primarily designed.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS What has been generally spoken of as the Custodial Farm, is called in the act creating the institution a State Reformatory for Women. The act was passed by the Legislature of 1919 and appropriates $50,000 for the purchase of the necessary land and buildings. The Board of Control is to make the purchase and establish the Institution. One public hearing has been held on the question of location. No site has yet (October) been selected. The object of the Reformatory is to furnish such home and care as will enable the inmates to fit themselves for useful lives and for earning their own livelihood. Commitments may be made by any court or magistrate. Girls of fifteen and upwards convicted of petit larceny, vagrancy, habitual drunkenness, of being a prostitute or of other misdemeanor may be sent to this Institution.
In a recent report of The New York Committee on Feeble-Mindedness the following paragraphs occur:
"Feeble-minded persons, because of a fault or defect of the brain usually existing from the time of birth, do not "grow up" mentally."
"In about two-thirds of the cases feeble-mindedness is transmitted directly from parent to child by inheritance."
In the Report of our own Board of Commissioners of State Institutions (Board of Control) dated November 30, 1916, on page 36 the following sentence occurs. The feeble-minded are recognized "as the most prolific class and potentially the most dangerous from the standpoint of race standards."
LESSON VIII--STATE INSTITUTIONS 35
Reports at the National Conference of Charities and Corrections give the following statements.
It is conservative to say that there are at least four feeble minded persons to each thousand of the general population. The average number of children born in a family is four, whereas in these degenerates we find seven and three tenths the average. Of three hundred prostitutes, fifty one per cent were feeble minded.
Persons wishing to study the question of the duty of society to this class of unfortunates will find material in the Reports of the Charities and Corrections Conferences. New York, Massachusetts, California, Indiana and Kansas have all made studies and published reports dealing with it. The Legislative Reference Bureau can direct the inquirer to sources of information.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS
Who may petition for committing children to the Industrial schools?How long are children kept at those schools?
For what persons is the Orthopedic Hospital designed?
The Tuberculosis Hospital?
Have we a Custodial Farm?
What is Feeble-mindedness?
Is it transmissable by inheritance?
Are other states investigating causes and prevention of Feeble-mindedness?
Where can literature on the subject be found?
Has our own Board recognized this class as a menace?
Have we a duty to the state of the future?
LESSON IX-SOME LAWS OF INTEREST 37
OUTLINE.
The Child Labor Law.Employment Certificates.Compulsory Education.
How enforced.Equal Guardianship Law.
Age of Consent.
Child Welfare Commission.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS
Our Child Labor law prohibits children under fourteen from working in any theater, concert hall, place of amusement or any place where intoxicating liquors are sold, in any store, office, hotel, laundry, factory, bowling alley, elevator, or as messenger or driver and prohibits persons from employing children under fourteen at any work during school hours. For children between fourteen and sixteen, if employed, employment certificates are required. They are issued by a school officer or some one authorized by the school officers.Children under sixteen may not work before six o'clock in the morning nor after eight in the evening nor more than eight hours each day, nor more than forty eight hours each week.
Children under sixteen may not be employed in any dangerous work. The duty of enforcing this law devolves upon the Deputy Commissioner of Labor and the school officers, but any citizen may cause its enforcement. A Board of five inspectors, (two of whom must be women) appointed by the Governor have power to demand the examination of any child who seems unable to perform the labor at which he or she is employed.
Attendance at school is compulsory for children between the ages of seven and sixteen for at least twelve weeks in the year. In city school districts children must attend during the whole time the schools are in session.
LESSON IX--SOME LAWS OF INTEREST 39
Teachers are required to keep records of the attendance of all children and furnish monthly reports of them to the County Superintendent. It is the duty of the school officers to see that all children attend school unless excused by proper authority. School census is taken yearly.
Fathers and mothers are the natural guardians of their children and equally entitled to their custody. If either dies, or is disqualified for acting, the guardianship devolves upon the other. In cases where it is necessary that a guardian be appointed it is done by the County Court.
Carnal knowledge of girls under eighteen, unless the girl is over fifteen and previously unchaste, is rape which is a pentitentiary (sic) offence (sic). Hence the so-called age of consent in our State is eighteen years.
The Legislature of 1919 established in the state department of public instruction a State Child Welfare Bureau with a director in charge. It is the duty of the director to organize a supervised system of recreation, to endeavor to lessen and prevent penal trials for children and to equalize opportunities for children in Nebraska. In connection with the Child Welfare Bureau The Children's Code Commission is organized as a special investigating committee in behalf of the children of the State to make a report to the Governor on December 1, 1920. It is the duty of this Commission of not less than five nor more than fifteen persons, to make a careful study of the subject of child welfare in Nebraska and to recommend in its report legislation for its promotion.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS The act carries with it an appropriation of $15,000.
The director has a salary. The Commission is unpaid. They may receive traveling expenses and a salary is provided for a secretary.
What are the hours of labor for children?At what age may children be employed?
How are employment certificates issued?
How is the Child Labor Law enforced?
At what age is school attendance compulsory?
For how long each year is attendance compulsory?
Have we equal guardianship for fathers and mothers?
What is the age of consent in our State?
Have we a Child Welfare Bureau?
What is the Children's Code Commission?
LESSON X--LAWS 41
OUTLINE.
Marriage Laws.Divorce Laws.
Property Rights of Women.
Descent of Property.
Employers Liability.
Hours of Labor.
Wills.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS
The age at which marriage may be lawfully contracted is eighteen years for boys and sixteen for girls. If the parties are minors, the consent of parents or guardian is required. It is necessary to obtain a license from the County Judge and to have at least two witnesses.Divorce is applied for in District Courts. A divorce may be granted for a number of causes among which are extreme cruelty, desertion, and failure on the part of the husband to provide suitable maintenance. Applicants must have been residents of the place where the application is made for at least one year previous to filing the application. A divorce does not become absolute until six months after the decree is granted. Hence re-marriage may not take place within that time.
*The property rights of women both married and single are practically the same as of male citizens. Married women may make contracts, sue and be sued and carry on business in their own name. They have a right to their own earnings. These powers were secured to married women by what is known as The Married Womens Act passed in 1871 and amended in 1887. Neither of a married pair can mortgage the homestead without the consent of the other.
Where persons die leaving no will, real property descends as follow: one-fourth to the husband or wife surviving if there is one child or more and the
*See 1560 et seq. Revised Statutes.
LESSON X--LAWS 43
survivor is not the parent of all the children of the deceased; one-third to the survivor when he or she is the parent of all the children surviving and there are two or more children; one-half to the survivor when there is only one child; and one-half if there are no children. In all cases above, the remainder of the real property descends to the children of the deceased, and if there are no children, in the same order of descent as where the deceased is unmarried. Descendants of children take the parents share. When one dies leaving no husband or wife, real property descends as follows: First, in equal share to the children of the deceased or their descendants. Second, if deceased had no children, to the parent or parents surviving. Third, if neither children nor parents survive, to brothers and sisters in equal share and to their children if they are deceased leaving children. Fourth, if none of these kin survive, to the next of kin. Personal property is distributed similarly after certain allowances are provided for. Where a will is made, the surviving husband or wife is allowed to choose whether he or she will accept the inheritance under the law or that provided by the will.
*We have an Employers Liability Law which affects men and women employes similarly. This law defines the compensation for injuries and death under given circumstances.
**In places of 5,000 or more inhabitants, it is unlawful to employ women more than nine hours each day or fifty four hours each week. The hours of em-
*36423696 Revised Statutes.
**Session Laws 1915 p. 185.
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS ployment must be between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m. Exception is made in the case of public service corporations. These may employ women between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m.
Every person of full age and sound mind has a right to dispose by will of any property either real or personal owned by him or her. The will must be in writing, signed by the person who makes it and witnessed by two competent persons. A will is revoked by destroying it or by adding a codicil making changes, or by making another will at a later time.
*The State maintains a Department of Public Health. In addition to the supervision of the medical practice of the State, there are Bureaus of epidemiology, of engineering and of vital statistics. Also the Department must provide literature for the promotion of interest in public health and prepare and exhibit in different communities public health demonstrations accompanied by lectures, moving pictures and other effective ways to prevent the origin and spread of disease and to promote the general public health.
"Any city, village, county or township may employ a community nurse. If twenty-five per cent of the*Session Laws, 1917, p. 407.
**Session Laws 1917, p. 514.
LESSON X--LAWS 45
electors of any one of the above named groups petition for the installment of a community nurse, the authorities must hold an election. If the vote is favorable to the installation, the authorities may levy a tax not to exceed five mills to meet the necessary expense and employ a nurse. The nurse may be given police power to carry out the orders of the community respecting any matter of public health. In Omaha, a visiting nurse, or nurses from a philanthropic or charitable association may be employed subject to the supervision of the city council and the expense met out of the general funds of the City.
At what age may people marry?What is necessary to a legal marriage?
What are some causes for divorce?
In what courts are divorce cases heard?
How long after divorce before parties can marry?
What property rights have women?
How is the homestead safe-guarded?
How does property descend?
Have we an Employers Liability Law?
Are hours of employment of women limited?
Who is competent to dispose of property by will?
What is necessary to make a will valid?
What public health measures has our State?
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HAND BOOK FOR NEBRASKA CITIZENS
STATE OFFICERS AND JUDGES
TERM
ELECTED AT
SALARY
Senators
Two years
General election
$600 Biennium
Representatives
Two years
General election
$600 Biennium
Judges Supreme Court
Six years
General election
$4500 per year
Judges District Court
Four years
General election
$3000 per year
Judges County Court
Two years
General election
Fee Office
Justices of Peace
Two years
General election
Fee Office
Police Magistrates
Two years
General election
Fee Office
Governor
Two years
General election
$2500 per year
Lieutenant Governor
Two years
General election
$1200 per year
Secretary of State
Two years
General election
$2500 per year
Treasurer
Two years
General election
$2500 per year
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Two years
General election
$2000 per year
Attorney General
Two years
General election
$2000 per year
Commissioner Public Lands and Buildings
Two years
General election
$2000 per year
3 Members Railway Commission
Six years
General election
$3000 per year
6 Members Board of Regents
Six years
General election
None
3 Members Board of Commissioners
Appointed by Governor
State Institutions
Six years
$3000 per year
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