Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-06

of over 5000 people--confidenc men. pick
pockets, burglars, murderers--good and
bad looking the most OF them bad look
ing. Up to- within recent years he main
tanned a record of all the jallbirds in thu.
State; he knew the convicts In the State
prison and knew when the various terms
expircd-excepting whatever allowance,
might be made for good behavior
He had a good memory OF faces and
descriptions of persons and places. This
fact was well Illustrated by an occur
renee in the early 9Js when Mr. True in
looking over some old letters came upon
one bearing the date Sept. 8, 'S8, which
contained a description Of a man who was
wanted for breaking and entering store
Mr.. True said to an officer present: Il
know where that man is and ] haven t
read that description since the day | re-
ceived it," He Immediately telegraphed
the city marshal OF Lewiston and learned
that he was still wanted; the arrest was
made and the marshal identified the man.
A few years ago when Names homeless
boys and naughty boys were receiving no
little consideration from newspapers ard
prominent people over the State, and the
problem of what to do with them was
treated to some sensible and practical
suggestions from representative Maine
thinkers, Mr.. True was heard upon the
subject In his lengthy experience ne
saw all sides of the boy character and
had studied the sure and rapid progress
from evil associat ions of neglected boy
hood through to actual criminalty and
/ final arrest and imprisonment. He had
| also examined the State prison and Re.
| form school method and while he had
| only the highest praise for their manage
ment yet he gave some eminently sensl-
| BILE ideas as to the result of such con
| finement upon the average boy. The evil
! literature that he refers to plays such ar
important part in forming boy character
as only an officer, engaged in continued
study Of human nature, can appreciate
| Mr.. True said
1.-The naughty boy question is certainly
| a question which presents many things
| to engage the attention of those VINO
| have had experience with youthful criml-
nails as well as the attention of those
whose charity OF heart leads them toWai
| the discovery of something that will les
| sen crime among the young, and infiu-
ence them for the better. A writer mas
| sa that the mind of a child is like d
sheet of paper, upon which by education
| we can write what characters we please
/ While applying this doctrine TO the Grim
| inal young, we must qualify it with tbs
assertion that this education must be te
| overcome also inherited capacities ant
| tendencies. | do not mean by this that !,
youth who commits crime has inherited
| these capa cities for and tendencies 7.
| crime by blood, but through some forcs
| of misapplied education he has acquired
| an experience in crime, though small i
may be- that must be overcome befoi,
any impression for good can be inculcatet
| upon his mind. The query is, what is Tho
be; what system discipline will it require
to make this impression and enforce thes'
| desired principles.
From his experience he concluded tina
it was most detrimental to the develop
| ment of upright and honest principle!
| and to the retaining from wrong doing
to infict a punishment upon boy for {
small crime or misdemeanor which
would place him, when the sentence i;
carried into effect, among those convicted
of a greater degree of crime and had be
come hardened to wrong doing. HI
| therefore declared against State prison
/ sentences for boys unless on graves
4 charges. He favored graded system To-
the reformatory institutions. To tn,
reading of trashy literature and the at
tempted emulation of the imaginary he
roes, he attributed much of the crime. , II,
emphasized particularly in his treatmen
of the problem the value of good HON,
life, and the idea that naughty boy!
would improve under right influences.
! He made many notable arrests during
his long service as State detective an,
columns of interesting matter might %
written on various cases with which nj
had been connected.