200 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. [ART. 27

Sentence for First Offense—Release on Recognizance.

1894, ch. 402.

304 A. In any case in which a person is convicted before any
court of larceny or false pretenses or any other offense not
capital, and no previous conviction is proved against him, if it
appears to the court before whom he is so convicted, that regard
being had to the youth, character and antecedents of the offender,
to the nature of the offense, and to any extenuating circumstances
under which the offense was committed, it is expedient that the
offender be released on probation of good conduct, the court
may, instead of sentencing him at once to any punishment, direct
that he be released on his entering into a recognizance, with or
without sureties; and during such period as they court may
direct, to appear and receive judgment when called upon, and in
the meantime to keep the peace and be of good behavior; and
the court may, if it thinks fit, direct that the offender shall pay
the costs of the prosecution or some portion of the same, within
such period and in such instalments as may be directed by the
court; and at any time within such period, but not afterwards,
the court may, upon being satisfied by information on oath that
the offender has failed to observe any of the conditions of his
recognizance, issue process for his apprehension, and thereupon,
without further proceedings, impose sentence upon him.

III.
PLACES OF REFORMATION AND PUNISHMENT.

House of the Good Shepherd for Colored Girls.

1894, ch 187.

329 A. The House of the Good Shepherd for Colored Girls
of the city of Baltimore, organized under the general incorpora-
tion laws of this State, for the purpose of affording a refuge to
colored females who have had the misfortune to lead an evil life,
and who wish to abandon their vicious course and reform, such
persons to be received without distinction of creed, age or place
of birth or residence, is declared to be a body corporate and
politic of this State for the purpose aforesaid, and is hereby, as
to colored females, vested with all such powers and charged with
all such duties as have heretofore been conferred or charged by