Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-04-08
THE COMMON COMPLAINT.

The Deserct News has frequently
called attention TO the evil known as
hoodlumlsm, and pointed out the only
practical means for It's suppression and
prevention that so far appear in evil
dence. We recognize the extent and
effects of the lawless spirit among some
of the youth Of the city, and believe II
ought to be and can be checked and
reduced to n very small minimum
But we do not thinl It will help the
matter to exaggerate Its proportions
or TO treat It NJ though II was the rule
here instead OF the exception.
Their are a number Of street urchins
who are ,lngoyernablc and mischeyous
and a few OF them criminal But the
very large majority OF our boys and
young men are OF different stamp
We do not believe any city In the Union
can produce larger number of eSem-
plary youths, according to population,
than arc to be found in Salt Lake
CITY. ny birth, training, home instruo-
ton, school tutelago and religious in
nuence they are directed In the way of
morality and honor. and the results OF
that culture are seen In their clean
lives, their honesty, integrity and In
dustry. The hoodlums are exceptions,
There are too many Of Them, no doubt,
but there arc hosts Of good boys and
steady young men who are the JOY OF
their parents and the hope Of society
This should not deter In the least
the Efforts In behalf of the reform OF
the transgressors There is need OF
urgent and persistent work In that d.
rectlon, But that will not be accom-
plshed by defamation and fault-hnd-
Ing. The root Of the evil IN most In
stances Is In the home. Parental guild
ence or correction may be lacking
Home attractions may be absent Too
much laxity or too great severity may
serve TO send into the streets at night
boz and girls who should be engaged
netting useful or interesting at
home. But iere are unruly spirits that
are impervious both to good counsel
and 10 chastlsement, ana blame should
not be hastily cast upon their parents
or guardians.
The non-enforcement OF the city ordi-
nances comes In for It's share OF CEN
sure The compulsory school law
should be carried into strict effect The
curfew law should be more than a
sound borne ON the air at night The
regulations as to disturbances Of the
peace should be made operative. Grimes
should bring punishment upon conyic'
ton. Lenity may be shown when II
Ia just to exercise It, but penalties
should be executed upon fragrant Of
tenders.
Entertainments ought to be proyld'
ed Tor the young folks both at home
and in public places, and they should
be Of u nature to amusc and elevate
and not be carried ON to q late hour
OF the night AS gardens need CultI
walton or they viii run into weedS
wastes, 80 the children need care anC
culture and constant watohcare, or they
viii run into wildness and disorder ant
into debasing and lawess habits, The
homo influence for good must be sup
pemented by moral teaching in lht
schools, Intellectual exercises are no
enough, The soul must be reached an,
its spiritual energies be aroused In IN,
direction OF right and truth and virtue
Then, the law must be enforced
against tronsgrossors, and violence anO
vandalism and crime be met will
proper penalties, Kindness patienc
and forbearance for the errlng but re
pentant: retribution for the stubborn
and wilful and rebellous, Clear tn
streets at night Of the roaming juve
niles and corner gatherings Of rowdle
and roughs. Peace officers should b
set to this work. Punish the proianC
the riotous and the vicious, Talk les
and do more and the evil now justl
complained Of win be overcome an
order and quietness be established.