The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-03-14
SHALL THE
CURFEW RING?
BY PROF. F. G. KRAEGE.
lsup't OF Public schools, Green Bay. Wis


lSup't OF Public schools, Green Bay, Wis.,
During three years of service as prin-
cipal Of the educational department of
the Wisconsin Industrial School for
boys, l had excellent opportunity to be-
come familiar with the principal causes
for the downfall of the boys committed
to that institution. / was convinced
that one principal cause of crime among
the young in the cities is unlimited
street rowing after dark. Since leaving
that institution, years of study Of So
cial problems, and an extensive CORES
pondenee with those engaged in re-
formatory work, have strengthened
this conviction.
In this busy age, men and women
are so absorbed with professional, bus
iness and social interests, that they do
not observe the growth of dangerous
tendencies in the community. To the
thoughtful student of sociology it is
painful to witness the crowds of youth,
especially girls, promenading the city
streets after dark with an air of bon
homie and good eomradeship, ex-
changing rude jests with young per-
sons Of the opposite sex and sometimes
Of doubtful character. The moral dam
gers that beset the path Of the young
who are allowed too free contact with
street life are not sufficiently realized
by many parents.
The street talk among boys, especial
ly, is not likely to be pure; the tempta-
ton to perform nlischievous acts is too
alluring; ana the whole tendency is to
establish habits destructive to proper
regard for authority. Not infrequent-
~. street gangs are formed. They
tease, torment, and annoy citizens,
abuse smaller children, snatch fruit
from groceries, destroy property, and
insult girls = doing many of these
things because they think it is fanny
or smart. Amidst such influences,
children develop low, quick species
of cunning; but it is acquired at the
expense of arrested development along
higher and better lines of growth.
AS the demoralizing process, thus be
gun, goes on, parental authority is first
disregarded, then defied. Home re-
straints are thrown ofss, iiate hours, bad
company, and truancy from school and
home soon follow. Means must be OBJ
tanned with which TO crafty the ex-
travagant snd vicious habits contract
ed, and TO keep pace with the crowd.
II not sufficiently far advanced along
the line, more experienced compan-
ion suggests the means.
First, perhaps, the theft of few
cents from fathers or mothers purse
Next, dollar or two filched from a
neighbor. Then midnight entry into
a store or warehouse or the slugging of
some beIated traveller on the highway.
The reformatory and prison are the in
evitable result.
STATISTICS OF JUVENILE CRIMES.
Those who baye had any experience
with criminal classes know too well
how many darkened young life-histo-
ries trace their first wrong step to the
evil stories and suggestions heard while
lettering in the city streets at night.
Official reports show that during the
year ending March. 1896, l97, ,227 youths
were arrested in 100 Of the largest cities
ia the United States. In Milwaukee
alone, Ss2 under sixteen, and 9i2 he
tween sixteen and twenty-one, were ar
rested during the year ending March,
1898.
Such reports should arouse the
thoughtful to action, and force them
TO investigate the social Influences that
produce such results. feel confident
that a careful investigation of this mat
ter will convince any one that at least
seventy-five per cent. Of these arrests
are directly OF Indirectly traceable to
unlimited street rowing after dark.
Leaving out of account the need OF
rest. early sleep and healthy moral
teaching in the home, there towers
over all these the almost certain des-
truction of pure instincts, the inculcs-
tion of vicious sOul.destroying thoughts,
where children roam the streets at will
after dark. The steps of free night
roaming are clearly marked and inev-
table: First, amusement; second, mis-
chief; third, crime.
LAxITY OF PARENTAL CONTROL
with 10 emphasize the fact, which
ali students of sociology are bringing
into prominence, that the principal
cause Of the dangerous influences al
luded to. is laxity of parental control.
II is a great misfortune that so many
parents do not trouble themselves to
know where their children are at night,
or iu what company. Too often child
rem 20 where they please and do as they
like. The indifference to this matter on
the part Of some parents is almost GRIM
inaI. Ana not only the poor and un-
educated, but the educated, with every
advantage, are strangely neglected. in
this matter. Whether this neglect ar
ises from poverty, Ignorance, careless
ness. or indifference, the effect on the
children and society is the same
"Train up a child in the way be