St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-01-25
Editor CALIFORNIAN:
c. H. DEMPSEY,
Supt. of Public Schools.

The subject of the curfew is one that
appeals to me strongly and am very
glad to have an opportunity to express
my views with reference to it through
the columns OF the CALIFORNIAN. That
such law, or some equally helpfu
measure, is needed, will be admitted by
every observing citizen, who will take a
little pains to familiarzc himself with
conditions prevailing in our village to an
alarming degree, -conditions which can
not but rouse the deepest anxiety in the
mind Of every thoughtful parent and of
every citizen, who has at heart the inter
est of the village, considered in its best
and most vital aspect.
The children of any community are it's
most valuable possession, assets" if you
choose to put a merely business valuation
upon them. They are the wards ofthe COM
munity, as whole. No care can be too
great and no burden of responsibility too
heavy to be assumed, cheerfulIy and con.
stantly, in their behalf. No parent in
terested in his chlds welfare can posi-.
bly, resent, as an interference with his per-
sonal liberty, any sincere, honestly in.
tended measure that shall have in view
the conserving of the general good, even
it it seem to him, at first thought, not
absolutely necessary in his own chiId's
case. THE general good",-no better
maxim can be found for the guidance of
any village, city, or state.
Now, of course, the theory that par
ents are the best judges as to the regula-
ton OF their children's movements, is en-
titled to respect, but we are met, at the
outset, with the MOTTO be-disguised fact
that, aside from the generally well iu-
tentioned parent, there are the ranks of
parents Indifferent and parents helpless,
and the stubborn fact OF the existence OF
such ineffective care.takers and sponsors
is sufficient justification for society's as.
Stunning proper responsibility for the
welfare of the individual child and of
1.-THE general good"
From eight to Is or 16 years Of age is
period fraught with great possibilities.
Here are being laid land pretty finely
crystalized, in some cases) the founda-
tions OF good citizenship, bad. Re-
spect for law and order, purity of word
and thought and act, deception of
parent,-all this and more is the process
which-in the positive or negative-is
going on, and going on rapidly, too, at
this stage.
The street is the worst imaginable
school for such an age; the deeply inter
ested, cooperative, sympathetic home is
the best. This is true, yet the fact
remains that we must, in some wav,
supplement, help, cooperate with, or
counterfeit las the varying cases may
demand) the inadequate home conditions
that we know exist.
Mothers meetings, prayer meetings,
all sorts OF good enterprises may help,
but they cannot compete in efficiency
with the results that, reasonable Ore.
vention can effect.
Letus, therefore, welcome every means
that can possibly contribute to the de.
sired end. Let us not criticise measures that
to some might seem unnecessarily min.
ute. Let us remember that in the most
perfect law is the most perfect liberty.
have lived in community where the
curfew principle was put into operation.
and can testify to it's efficiency and the
cheerful cooperation OF the community.
DAVID Y. CoMsTocK,
Principal of St. Johnsbury Academy.