Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-11-06
IE VERMONT PRINTING CO.. Publishers.
BRArTLEBoRo, FRIDAY, NOV. 8, 1908


Il
education as a remedy for all sorts OF
evils including crime, will be surprised
to read recently compiled statistics re-
lating to the tendencies of crime with
the multiplication of educational oppor-
tunties. While it is true that crimes
of a purely brutal and savage nature
have decreased, those in which skill
and cunning play prominent part
have largely increased. 1t seems that
education does not do away with the
evil impulses of human nature; it sim
ply refines those impulses and at the
same time furnishes additional power
to carry out unholy schemes.
In the November Century Dr. j. Nj.
Buckley furnishes some startling sta
tistics about the character of present
day criminals:
about three years ago. he says. Il
delivered an address to the prisoners
in he penal institution at Sing Sing.
In the audience of 800 were bankers,
30 lookkeepers, Al clerks, physicians,
5 lawyers, / United States consul, and
q statesmen. Besides there We're police
men, chemists, dentists, merchants.
journalists, an architect. and clergy
men The balance of the 1850 in the
prison, $50 of whom were in attendance
at the Catholic chapel, included all
trades and occupations. Prominent
representatives of almost every denom-
nation were there, and several men,
bers of families of high ancestral dis
tinction in the country. In addition to
these We're many skilled workmen.
After similar address in the Tombs
prison in New York, | visited the pris-
oners from cell to cell. Among them
were fourteen charged with murder.
OF these. ten would compare favorably
in appearance and manner with the
male attendants at any re-
ligious service. 1t is not so
surprising that more than a third of
the inmates of the Elmira reformatory
are we'll educated, and many of them
refined and ingratiating in converse
ton and department. The alarming
fact is that a large proportion of these
are among the most incorrigible,"
DIR. Buckley believes that the pres
ent prevalent disrespect of law is due
partly to the methods of labor unions,
the influences of the recent coal strikes
and the Intervention of President
Roosevelt which he considers decid
eddy detrimental in its results. In this
connection he quotes Washington's
fundamental maxim: Influence is not
government"
Still we keep crying out against the
evils of illiteracy and of the danger of
letting the unlearned of other coun-
tries in among US as if ignorance were
the root of all trouble. The Boston
Journal notes that 900 illiterates
poured in upon us last year and says
"Here is a loud call for the restriction
from American immigration of those (
who cannot read and write, at least in {
their own language. Illiteracy is the {
present danger of American political
and social life" OF course there is I
something in this, but it is not mans
ignorance that makes him either help
full or dangerous-it is his character {
his natural impulse either for good or
bad. Many of the great and good men {
of the worlds history have been I'M t
schooled. Greatness and goodness are /
not got from books. They are from I
germs in the human being which t
knowledge but develops. And knowl- a
edge may also develop germs of evil.
OF course these conclusions in no C
wise discredit education. We should
not expect everything of any uplifting
influence. Popular education has de- 2
creased the lower forms of crime; it e
has greatly increased the productive o
wealth of nations and has raised the
general standard of wages and com ;,
fort. But personal character is outside y
Its jurisdiction.
1t was this point, probably, that in =
1uced an eminent Catholic preacher to :"
give utterance recently to the opinion
that the great need of this country Is
4 system of UNCONVENTIONAL schools
ike that of Canada. He believes that V
we are training the minds of our chill CT
iren and neglecting their hearts. He W
nay be right; but the u
American people will proba III
by never be able to see it .that VI
way. 1t is undoubtedly true, however, Oh
and pity it's tbs true" that the present e'
lay enthusiasm for educational, indus L
rial and business advancement tends m
o relegate religion and the preserva- dc
ion of unblemished character and fine
onScientiousness to a secondary place
n the estimation of the growing gem w
ration. Sc