The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-25
SOME REMEDIES SUGGESTED.
Colored Educator Talks OF Criminal
Tendency In the Young.
n. IL frhiAnr ~ Thu pnet ~


To the Editor of The Post.
Houston, Texas. April 14.-Will You
please allow space in your valuable
columns to speak briefly of thel criminal
tendency or our youth, colored especially,
and merely mention what l regard as
some causes and effective remedies.
There is not day but that some one or
more youngsters are before the courts Tor
theft or some other mischief. Despite our
well equipped city schools, the docket OF
youthful criminals grows larger daily. The
fact that education is NOT a fal're Is not
debatable, but that it Is not reaching those
for whom It is intended, and who most
need II. seems evident. Nearly as many
children may be seen in the streets uuT'
ing school hours as are in attendance-
colored children, II any rate. Ihere mus
be a cause, which is traoeable TO elthei
poverty misfortune OF indlnerence
think many will come under the head OF
Indifference, but will take refuge behind
poyerty when consulted. The great WORK
OF education is to place individuals IN
position to help themselves; that property
NAV be less liable 10 depreciation, SO
ciety happier and more at ease. our Gay
and State are liberal in making provision.
records, all things considered, register
more names than the schools. 1t is time
for the good, thinking people to note this
, growing tendency and to try 10 devise
. ways and means for an Improvement. For
, bear in mind, that while the way OF the
, tranegressor is hard" at the rate they are
increasing the time will come when the
matter OF raising respectable sons ana
, daughters will be far more dtnicult than
now. for these criminals will some day
. become fathers and mothers, and their
: ;ffgprlng will not be without corrup Ing
influence to say nothing OF the decrepits,
the mental and moral Kleaklings. Ii viii
. be then a question of the survival OF the
? fittest, II there be any fit to survive. II
: may iJt be In our day. yet 1t Will come
The young are drifting to the bad In toe
r great members to not arouse thought and
action.
a noticed that In the June meeting of the
: City Marshals' and Chiefs association the
. matter OF dealing with such classes vii
. be carefully considered. l hope they vii
= use their best Judgment and offer som,
!, romedy that VIII reach the root of the
= trouble, II the city laws are inadequate
8 the State laws should be appealed TO FOL
- aid. That the present method OF deal
=, ing with our young criminals is failur
. is clear. The boys thrown In with tn
- toughs are more hardened than reformed
J., Inere Is retormatory IN the STATE 10
!, colored youthe, but / am inclined e
;. believe It Is not doing the intended work
Z, It Is too far from the masses, suspect.
!, Without attempting In this article 4
80 discuss the matter I offer some remelle
~ that might prove effective. Out OF IN
-, number ! hope some one will be ceutere
=, upon by the good people ana recommends
- 10 the marshals and chiefs at their meet
- Ing, aud through them reach the highe
;. powers
First, orphan homes There are man
y Of our children in the streets OF our town
- aud cities from the fact that they hay
- "a no particular one to SEQ after and car
- FOR them. Many Of these soon make the'
y. ~ way to crime and ruin. think We as
VI people shocld do something on this lin
~ and feel THAI the good Whites VIII com
TO our aid
~ More reformatory schools in close touc
e With the city schools. I feel safe in sa!
a. Ing our city could almost support one. ar
10 II properly managed 1t could soon
~ ~ conducted SO as 10 support ITSELF aud (
good also.
ne Night schools for those who are forced
al work, yet need and desire education,
:, Laws regulating children running Il
10 streets after certain hours at night
ut Last and best, compulsory education
IN laws.
II hne-tooth comb were raked over d
ne city It would drag scores who should
lc- in school and can attend but who 81,
out beeaue no pressure Is brought 10 hes
OF and who are learning the easy ways
IN life have talked with some few officia
u-isnd II Is sad 70 hear Of many Of the wa