The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-16

..t,ov Does C,iminnllfy Develop In n
Child" with Hints on Moral duca'ion.

.stfory Does { ,iminHlify Develop IN u
Child" with Hints on Moral ducaiion.
Dr. Maxlmlian p. +. Groszmann lee
turcd AT st. Andrews parish house yes
terday afternoon on How Does Criminal
ity Develop in a Child. with HINTS Oh
,t,rot t,dncotion." 4 good audience
nearly filed the room although The dust
ana threatened rain was calculated 10
ICON many away. Several prominent
clarrvmon including TWO bishops were
among the interested listeners. bI'
Groszma.n treated his subject IN very
thoughtful and scientific way.
"Wul tha struegle against crime n new. IN
end7' asked Dr. Groszmann' ln'
phllosophv of nesslmism relieves IN the
rormorency of sim. only by invcstieat-
ing the causes and influence that ".'h
for crime can we hope 20 understand l'0
nature and 20 gradually eradicate 10 oy
extirpat.ng the causes.
"Crlminality is either a pathological
condition, q deviation from inc norma
t,.pe. or it represents an undc'elop
state ln other words Do is Due 10 lAe
presence in our midst OF a class OF peo-
ulo who stll bol0ng 10 The savage STAGE
OF civilization and who nave never oeth
reached bv tte progress OF humanity
criminal tyne that has become fixed oy
hsreditv There may be either direct
criminal hercdity that Is. criminals VIII
hcret criminals. or indirect criminal n'r-
.c6lfv when parents who are in some way
affective. VIII transmit 81 condition OF
weakness 20 their children which in them
may produce % criminal tendency.
"Int.rcctual weakness is often a symp-
tom indicating also moral weakness. IN
veetleauons show that idiocy is pre-einl-
nenty O. hereditary phenomenon; lhsan-
i,v aud intcmprrance in the parents ai e.
mainly responsible for arrested mental
devoroprcut M the children. And as the
mothers influence rs greater than the
fathers. in transmitting pecularitles 10
inc offspring. the physiological and psy-
choloeical condition of woman is a De
fe-mining factor in the chain OF heredl-
tarv Influences.
but the effect OF environment must
mot be moderated Crimlnauty is in a
large Measure The product Of social con
d.tlons. The three principal causes oil
abnormal development Of the nervous
system which in its turn predisposes foi
crime are Old bad nutrition, CD fatigue l5l
disease"
Dr. Grcszmann showed that these
causes are operative not only among IN,
| Door. EuL also lN AN' NC A"i Nt"f'~"
society. lie made special reference o.
several critical periods I'm a childs lt'
when HYGIENE neg ect IL particularly per
nlcious. lie quoted Tolsto's confession
ON his condition during the period OF ado
lescence. and pointed out the large mum
Der OF criminals under twenty years OF
age
Most powerful ~ ell Is tho influence OF
had examples The child is alarminglS
/ Initiative and subject 20 suggestlon
Companlons often play calamltou'
role In shaping his character
AS 20 remedies, the speaker suggeste'
/ first an Isolation N the born crimlna
I so that the type may not be propagaiea
! Further he recommended special school.
| FOR defective children where their spe
| ciai needs may be minlstered 20. ne als'
/ nleadsd for an elevation Of The condiuoI
/ of woman and for generally better socia
| conditions OF the masses. But most I'm
/ portout IS an education which VIII deVel
/ on The chiidren's power OF Independent
| thought and which will surround then
/ with the snnobllng influence OF Inspiring
| examples Home and school must co
operate. but the home life OF The child u
/, that factor which produces the deepes
] and most lasting effect upon the lorna
| tlon IL the chid's character
| The lecture for this afternoon is on
| tilted "The Dignity and Responsible
| OF the Teacher"