The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-23
Fdnc1iion and Crime.

Editor Of The Times.
sir:-Permit me word ~ reply to ne
letter Of Woman" i'm your issue Of the
18th inst I hope and believe that ! am
fhe last man In the world 10 deny to wo-
men the honor due them for the powerful
Influence for GOOD which they exercise the
wide world over. but whilst thus anxious
10 do them Justice. / cannot conceGe tine
point that this influence for good mas prrn
exercised in England by reason Of their
bcfng those permitted 10 occupy seats on
public boards. The only boards upon
which they are permitted 20 sit are Scnool
boards end the boards OF guardians al
ministcring the poor laws ana upon these
boards the number or women nave AZ
,yavs been very few I believe ! should be
correct If I said that upon nine-tcnths or
these boards 10 woman has ever hech
elected. 10 is the exception an over lhe
country 20 find woman a mempeI' bul
this characterization In the transaction
Of the Dublic business OF the boards al
ministering the local affairs of England 10y
women excludes their powerful lnuutuct
being exertcd I'm the place where holi
Il 10 be most rightfully and most natuIal-
Is potent. I'm the bosom OF the FAMILY ana
in the home circle. ] believe II largely
due TO this influence thus eXertcd thar the
children Of England and Scotland are
now enjoying and always have enjoyed
the benefits OF a daily religious educa-
ton, for II IS. thank God. the exception 70
find n woman who despises or minlmlIes
the value OF religious teaching Tor the
young The mother who first teaches the
infant lips to lisp at her knee
Gentle Jesus. meek and mild,
Look upon little child.
IS not likely to look with favor on sys-
ton, of education which shall teach her
child to forget those blessed moments
when that child first found utterance TOR
those religious aspirations for its welfare.
This influence 81 is which fills the Church
of England schools with more than two
and a half millions Of the children or the
land a number In excess or those taught
I'm all the board schools I'm the country.
and where she knows that her children
will he given definite religious teaching
every day. and that same influence largely
decides that such definite religious teach
ing shall be had. even though n costs a
weekly fee OF several pence. whilst in the
board schools with only religious training
Of a less definite character II can he had
free. All honor. I say 10 women Tor the
exercise OF such an influenced
For that Influence which Is only eNer-
cised through the presence Of women on
public boards Of anv KIND ! nave llltie
consideration. The place Of woman - az
home There she may make or mar me
happiness OF a household or a nation. The
hand that rocks the cradle IS me mana
that rules the world" and | would nave
every woman to find in the home her
highest and truest sphere or work. When
she thus devotes herself there ~ no fear
but that her influence will BE- powerfui Tor
good i'm every public work ana that WITH
ont the exercise Of the franchise or
seat on any public board.
Allow me to thank woman for her
complimentary cornment on my artlcle
and 10 express the hope that II may nave
the effect 7 intended when | wrote II. 10
direct attention 10 the Importance. yea
tho absolute necessity or religious teach-
ins, In the nublic schools II crime Is 10 De
decreased in the land. A condition Fra
not a. theory confronts u.s. Crime Is De,
.rfn "A widespread
every dav. THE numbers or our criminals
are growing daily larger Our jai ,s.. anu
and new ones are being built daily. \
wise discretion demands inquiry as 70 the
cause for this. It. cannot De because IT.
neonie are not educated IN face ~ tne
money spent by the nation on that ohjest
Nav IL not be that the fault les IN tne
character 81 that education? The POSI-
ton in England and Scotland would seem
70 give weight 10 this view. Let us IN
quire. r,cysOy
Richmond, Va. Nov. 20. 1897.