New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-13
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AS PREVENTIVE OF
CRIME
BY REV. E. ROBIN OF PARIS.


CRIME.
BY REV. Z. ROBIN OF PARIS.
As prefaratoy to this paper it may be proper to say
that the substitution of Dr. Crosby for the author, as
reader in to Dr. Robins request, expressed
as folOws "Mr. President and beloved Brethren am
very sorry to be able TO deliver myself the speech
which have prepared the work OF industrial schools
in which engaged. But Dr. Crosby is kind enough
to read it in my place. His kindness will spare me a
great trouble and his reading will be agreeable
10 you than would mine.l
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND BELOVED BRETHREN
The first thing which attracted my attention after setting
foot the soil Of America were the words written III
large letters the entrance OF streetcar beware
Of PckpOckets." IL notice dictated by prudence.
do not say that such notice is more necessary Ia
pockets found in America only The tribe exists
everywhere. In all countries tue army OF crime IS organ
has its soldiers concealed in the crowd who I'VE only by
the depredations and the crimes when they commit
They elbow In streets, in puOnc c0nyeyances,
aud even within the precincts OF our temples Prudence
then, is not needless precaution, since i leaves less
facility to Indicators for the COMMISSION or tner MS
deeds In other times when society succeeded In selz
ing one OF these enemies Of Its safety, II IN
manners sotened; the prisoner Is
brother gone astray, who is to be won
II could keep the army OF criminals from recruiting
their forces and thus destroy crme that would be still
and more economical In your State prisons the aver
age annual cost OF each imprisoned criminal is 800 aud
houses which have visited in New-YOrk, and when are
institutions Of preventive character, the Chldren's
Aid Society expend5 only g. year on each child, aud
makes of the greater part of these children moral and in
dustrous citizens. DeducDg IN both cases from these
expenditures the product OF the labor, ana Leaving
wholly out OF the the injury done to society by
the criminals it is found that As times more expended
for each Individual III the prisons than in the preventive
establishments and that, with little moral results,
far the criminals are concerned the preventive
method is. in this regard, immensely SUPERIOR IL mas
been said with truth: " II is better prevent crime than
to punish IT. 1t OF this preventive work that pro-
to treat In addressing you on the subject OF INDUS
While placing questions of doctrine and Of religious
Alliance could not neglect to give their due Importance
to practical other words to works or Chris
tan charity To show tue power OF Chrstlah principles
when applied 10 the evils from which society Is suffering,
is at time TO offer the best defense OF CHRISTIAN
ity ITSELF Two OF these evils are formidaDe-lgnOrance
aud deness Instruction and the love OF WORK peneIr
ing lower strata Of society," are the means Dy when
alone these evils may be ayerted from future gener-
strength 10 preserve from evil II we may hope
for the moral transformation OF man already
grown old in ignorance and gwen up 70 =, tu ho
ness and vice. this work VIII be yet easier II II DC
undertaken in favor OF young minds still dOce ana I'M
pressibe. The whole future OF society depends on
good Christian education. extending to al chldreh'
from the ghest to the lowest classes.
All cannot aspire to the advantage OF superior euu-
cation but ought 10 he deprived of the minimum
minimum, besides the moral and religious pIihelples
which its essential basis, should contain double
profession or business. Among all the nations which
take thought for the future, pcrseverng Efforts are
rising generation general ana professional eduea-
ton.
lied within the last ten years, much remains 70 DC zone
in this respect In 1864, annual meeting OF the
Institute" stated that out OF 100 young men, 20
years OF age, there were more than q VINO could not
readthat Is neary third aud IL appears, from an
could not sign their names These facts do not 80 50
far back 10 years since then important reforms
have seen Tue py renced Them 70
something akin to indulgence Is Improving schools are
multiplying and Instruction Is paced WITHIN the redch
There are, however-and here speak particularly Of
the state OF things IN my own country classes
remain complete strangers TO II. ,
II we examine Che different categories Of children for
whom elementary instruction is designed we can distln'
gish four principal divisions Those OF the nrst cate
CORY belonging rich families, destined TO receive
superior education aud to occupy the highest places IN
society. Those OF the second, the children VI SHOP
keepers and small laudhoders. avail themselves Of the
special instruction Instituted Tor them Whch eAcuuos
ordinarily classical teaching The third class comprises
the children OF mechanics and farm a6orers Wh0 re-
ceye only primary instruction, more or less complete
In the education OF this class have to regret many
deficiencies but efforts are making 10 BRING ITO the
proper standard There remains fourth category, con-
sstinR OF sdeserted children .yagrans aud beggsrs,
who allowed. on account OF restitution or the neg
ee OF their parents TO grow up In the most absolute
Ignorance both OF elementary aud professional N
structon, and who thus live exposed 70 az tne
Temptations OF want, idleness. and vice. Hitherto
no measures have been taken IN France to Sc
cure the benefits OF instruction 10 these cnll-
dren Compulsory instruction does not exist among US
The principle has many earnest advocates but the df-
Guilty of applying IT, arising from paernal authority on
one hand aud on the other from the lnpgsso Oh oD
aiuug general the infection OF penalties ON
pares who should refuse TO conform 20 It's prescriptions
nave raised up adversares Yet Is Impossible 10
Ignore the fact that IL nperativey necessary not to
abandon to themselves and 70 the suggestions OF desti
tuition these children whom the absolute want OF
guidance the pernciOns Influences with which they
are surrounded must infaOy lead 10 woe aud thence
To crime and prison. We must protect them against
the misfortune OF their BIRTH against the cupsole indif
ference OF their parents were IL but IN the interest OF
social order This must done by nsuring 10 them the
fnarY F1lp
winch they for society. The question OF which
treating mere IL question ~ Oucc VI CHARITY auu
OF public security. =,
the streets cities, are undeniaoy those who most
need ntary and Industrial instruction III such in
sructon ought u be made obligatory for IL
tainly should for them. Yet, OF all the children
prsed in the different categUres OF which we have Just
snoken these are precisely who have share
In its benents ana who derive advantage from the
impro Of present organization and the pro-
gress that been accomplished Refusing receive
Instruction they must be constrained u accept II.
Eventually constraint will DO necessary; will
then and inenoetual the evil viii have gained
strength and Will be moro difficult 10 overcome. Foe
then this ignorant young vagabond Will have become
Vicious and will have taken, perhaps forever fatal
path. The IN the end taxes under s Charge the
child frequently convicted OF yagraney aud mendiciy
and places him In house for correctional education IL
would be better 10 begin sooner and not wait I'll the evil
has become well nigh Irfeparabe. The Embellishments
for correctional education are, their name Imports
repressive institutions prisons aud IL Is BOT 10
schools The prison designed for the repression y. W.
often increases IL the school only ehectusuy presen
1t. when chd has been convicted OF begging VI
agrancy he undergoes frst commitment. nnoa 90
poses hun always for several hours auu otter ~,
several days 10 the most demoraiTng associaion,
his ease has been examined sS,,ars ne who exert
the most depiorable influence on Ills mho aoa
After the fret commitment he Is geneihy s m sS
10 his parents Restored 10 liberty, NC cOmhiS Tue
anne oense again and again. until the court sends nun
10 house OF Some children have been taken