The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-14

t1fy the purpose of their esta blishm ent
by the exhibited results of protection,
reformation and restoration. The state
home for dependent and neglected chill
dren affords the protection rendered
necessary through the loss of the nat
ural home, and it's mission is ended
when the child may be restored to the
care of a natural guardian or placed in
an approved home secured for it.
The juvenile reform or Industrial
school aims to defeat the evils of in
corrigibility and criminal tendency by
processes which attract and encourage
the pupil to seek the restoration or re-
placement necessary to a successful
career. The prisons work out the prob
lem of so dealing with the criminal
classes that the criminal by impulse, &C
cident or result of exposure, who regrets
his misfortune and longs for the return
of the jewels which he has lost, may be
encouraged and helped on to liberty,
while the criminal by choice is held Sc
cure as an enemy to honesty and a. de-
StrOyer of peace.
1T needs but a. thought to convince
the observer that the work of these in
situations can not end when the child,
pupil or reformed or released criminal
passes out again into the world. If the
state is to preserve the precious results
of its effort the child and adult must
have friend at the gate and watch
man to notice their signals of distress.
Homes open readily for the innocent
boys and girls of sound minds and
they go, what they do and how they are
cared for.
Homes and employment are not so
easy to find for the boy and girl from
the reform school or the man and wom-
an from the prison. A few clothes,
little money and a Godspeed are neces-
sary and welcome aids, but they do
not promise either shelter or work. For
these reasons the practice of states
which enjoy distinction for progressive
methods confides the wards of the state
sent out from these institutions to COM
petent agents who secure homes or en-
ployment and conduct the visiting and
CORES ondence necessary to a. thor
ough understanding of the condition of
each child, pupil or prisoner
kansas has neglected to make pro-
vision for this oversight, and has no
records to exhibit a. full and reliable
history Of those who have been dealt
with in past years. The legislature has
not lacked either advice or importantly
to make provision for so important
need. and it's credit for wise states
manship will not be established until
it secures the welfare of those whose
guardianship 1t has used its power to
obtain.
"A competent man to reside at the
state industrial reformatory at Hutch
nison and acting as the agent Of both
prisons would soon become of valua-
BILE assistance to discharged or paroled
prisoners.
Each institution for juveniles should
have it's own agent, living in the in
stitution, so as to become acquainted
with the children aad thereby be better
enabled to suit a child to one of the
homes which might be available for it.
"A wise parole law for the prison as
a substitute for the pardon is indicated
by the best available authority on pris-
on mana cement. The reformation Of
the prisoner as the end of prison disci-
pine has become the watchword of
humane people who are willing to leave
the judgment of retribution to the
higher COURT