The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-13

probation system. 1 want to say that
too much Importance is attached to the
idea of the juvenile court. In my opin-
ion the good that has been accom-
plished is due to the probation system
and the probation officer, and not to the
juvenile court. The juvenile court is
merely an instrument to put this sys-
tenn into operation.
These 1876 boys and girls released
from probation or favorably disposed
of means that that many boys and girls
are now leading honest and upright
lives and becoming useful members of
the community, the majority of whom
would have become criminals to prey
upon the community had it not been
for the probation system.
This represents a saving to the state
from this county in four years of &c.,
600 in money. The saving in citizen
ship is beyond all possible computa-
ton in dollars and cents"
In the course of his remarks the
judge laid constant stress upon the
duties which parents owe to their chill
dren during the earlier years of their
children's lives. Declaring that after a.
child has been allowed to roam at will
during the first II or IA years of his
life his parent cannot expect to either
reform that child himself, or have that
child reformed by juvenile court in
period of a week or ten days.
Experienced parents will not hesi-
tate to say" he declared, that the man
or court never existed with power or
skill enough to make a bad boy good
in two weeks. under any circumstances.
THE foundation, thought and idea of
the juvenile court is that children
should be kept at home to the greatest
extent possible.
1.-The child's own home is preferred
by the court, but in lieu of that it is
intended that any good home. where
proper care and training will be given,
shall be provided for the child.
"The state, in assuming its relations
ship as the guardian of the rights of
the child, assumes a serious RESPONSE
bility. Every child has a right to ed
ucation and physical care. Primarily,
this duty lies with the parents. and this
obligation should be enforced wherever
possible.
Family Unit of Society
"The family is the unit of society
and most of the evils of society arise
from a demoralized home It is the
duty of the state to cooperate with the
family as long as possible and help to
hold it up. If, however, for any rea-
son, the family fails, then a new home
is necessary until such time as the
LlAIiiy Lldy ne again brought together.
If the family proves recreant and abdf-
Gates its functions altogether it is the
duty of the state to secure as nearly
normal conditions for the children un-
der its care and custody as may be in
its power. The home is the normal
place for the child's education and
training. The institution should be
only temporary stand on the road
from the ruined home to a permanent
nome with foster parents.
There are two classes of parents:
those who instinetively guard and are
anxious for the welfare of their chill
dren, and those who through various
degrees of Ignorance and vice are dead
to moral duties.
The former l would urge to sacredly
guard their children and by sympa-
thetic companionship, sharing their
childish pleasures and disappointments
and sorrow, knowing how and where
they spend their leisure time and set
ting them an example of a pure and
upright life.
For the latter there is no lesson and
the law must stand between them and
their children. -.
children start out in life innocent
and pure in heart, but their association
with the ways of the street and through
bunting influences, too common everv-
where outside the sphere of parental
authority, they become Scared and
plackened and reach level from which
nelther parents love nor prayers can
save them"