New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-01
YOyNG RrFFIANS IN TIE STREETS.

! YOING RTFFIANS IN TIE STREETS.
The London papers have SILLY season" topic
! of more than ordinary interest and practically.
| II is found IT. the plague OF Juvenile ruilianism
! with which the streets Of the city are cursed.
| The slums Of the East End always have their
! hoodluins. But now more or less organized
bands Of young rowdies infest all parts OF the
city. committing innumerable petty misdemenn-
ors against the peace and against persons and
property. and not infrequenly adding thereto n
serious crime. The majority Of these are lads
who should he In school, but who succeed In
cvading the school inspectors and the truant
officers No less than thirty seven thousand
Esbiual truants are reported TO exist. and
many If not most of these are inclined toward
ways of violence and vice II is recognized that
the stua ion Is really a serious one, demanding
the attention and vigorous action OF the local
authorities. # not oe Parliament itself.
London Is not alone in suffering from this
evil. The city that is next to her in size can
probably run her close second in hoOdlumlsm
on the streets. Here too. as there. the plague
is widely II not universally dlffuscd. on al
most every street M this time of year, In after
noon and evening groups Of boys and young
men are 10 be- found sometimes stationary Mt
corners or other convenient places. sometimes
strollng along the highway. always intent on
annoying pnsscrs.by and on making themselves
rs generally offensive rs possible. Usually the
victim Is helpless. man hailed with insult by
n gang Of four ur five young ruffians cannot
hope to chastlse them. for he cannot catch
them. II is worse than idle to demonstrate. for
that only provokcs furth~ and worse insult.
Appeal TO the police is futile. for the patrolman
IL al NJ he, fhpr NJ no bcfOrp
he could be found ;bc gang would vanish. and
when found he would probably decline to do
anything. unless 10 stroll lnzy in the direction
Indicated 10 soc the fun tho boys were having
In batting some new victim woman thus
sailed and women often are assaulted by these
young villains do nothing but close her
cars. avert her eyes and hurry 10 A place Of
safety.
In Itself II Is n most detestable state Of AZ
fairs. But II IL something more and worse.
These young hoodlums Of to day will be the
thieves and murderers Of tomorrow. They
may not all thus go from bad to worse but
many Of them will. md the tendency Of all to
do Will be very strong. Between giving n
foul word and giving foul blow tho difference
is not great. The hoy who does not respect an
others right TO pcaccabIe possession OF the high
way will ne n man not respect ano'hcrs right
TO possession Of his watch or purse. The prog
rcss from misdcmennor 10 crime is logical and
natural This Is the consideration which makes
the suppression of Juvenile rufansm matter
of so great and urgent importance. To have
men and women subjected daily TO insult and
abuse through sheer wanton depravlty is bad
enough To permit through Indifference the
trimming up OF whole tribe Of professional Grim.
inals is so much worse MS TO defy characterize.
ton.