Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-06-27

LOT lNe DaO ndDllS OIL lIlS SuliuIcu. LIE
next table, however. puts very differ
ent light on the matter, for it shows that
in over one-half of the cases the CHAR
acter of one or both Of thes parents was
bad. In 80 per cent of the cases the par
ents We're either unmarried, divorced
or separated. In nearly So per cent one
or both parents were Incorporate in the
use of intoxicants. In SO per cent the
environments OF the children We're bad
previous to their admission to the
schools. In over 80 per cent their asso-
ciates were bad and in about the same
number of cases the habits had been
bad. About 30 per cent had received
practically no education before admis-
sion.
The statistics showing the career Of
their relatives We're no less significant.
About per cent of the entire number
had had either brothers. sisters, or near
relatives IN Institution for the feeble
minded. asylums, and penitentiaries.
The mothers of the inmates in the great
majority of the cases averaged far bet
ter than the fathers. In 246 cases the
latter were addicted to tn use of liquor
w.nile the former were in only thirty
three cases. Many families were found
to be represented in the Industrial
schools by two or more members.
From his study OF the prevailing con-
ditions Chairman Kline draws the fol-
lowing conclusions !:
First-That the nature of the parents
is a potent factor in shaping the future
of their children.
second-That the breaking up of the
family circle by the death of one or
both parents, thereby perhaps, turning
children gu. as objects of the worlds
care and charity, creates an environ-
ment in which they are likely to be led
astray from the paths OF recitude.
| Third-That the unhappy conjugal re-
llations of parents. resulting in such a
large number of divorces and separa-
tons, is perhaps the greatest single
cause for the large population of these
schools.
Fourth-That closely connected with
the last cause is the intemperance Of ont
or both of the parents.
Flfth-That previous environments
'|have been productive of many inmates
for these schools.
4 sixth-That many of these childre.
have been permitted to run the streets
when they should have been in school.
4 AS aremedy for these conditions Chair
man Kline suggests that compulsory
education law would help in many ways
He is not of the opinion that it will d.
everything, but Is of the opinion that
would be a great help. 1t is also sug
, Rested that provision must be made TO
the employment of the children outside
lof school hours but especially thru tn
Il summer Vacations Courses of instruc
ttion in the use of tools are suggested.
The fact that parents are responsible
for the bringing up and welfare of thei
children must in his opinion be NOR
thoroughly impressed upon the people
Along this line he says. 1t is regret
: able that in many instances parents
9 without any real necessity therefor, an
= by concealment Of the real facts, or b
= Misrepresentation to the judges secur
y the commitment Of their children t
these schools for the sole purpose of es
. Gaping the performance of parental du
y ties and bearing parental burdens.
= Legislation on the subject is urged.
The two greatest reasons, howeve
: are shown to be bad character of tn
parents in many instances brought ups
$ or made worse by the use of intoXica
s ing liquors and unhappy conjugal rels
Astions. OF the S01 children whes.es cas-
- were Investigated 297 had either faith
or mother addicted to the excessive u:
u of Intoxicating liquors. The conjugal r
lations of the parents We're good in on
n twenty-one cases; they We're fair in .
J. unhappy in eight, unknown in four.
u las cases the parents had separated,
twenty -four they We're divorced, and
IS one they were unmarried. Other stat