Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-17
WOMAN PROPOSES NEW CABI
NET OFFICE.
TO LOOK AFTER CHILDREN
Important Work Suggested as Calling
for the Enlargement of Functions
of State and National Government
Should be Administered by
Fathers and Mothers.

Portland, Me-, July 13.-An address
on the national outlook for children
was delivered yesterday by Mrs. Fred
erick Schoff before the American In
stitute of instruction. Mrs. Schoff
said in part:
'"The outlook for the children of the
nation, the influences for good or i'll,
which affect them, the opportunities
for their education and training, are
subjects of primary Importance to this
nation, for its future quality and
standards will be determined by the
influences which are shaping and
moulding the children who are to be
the men and women of the future, anil
who in turn will control the future of
coming generations. The sub
ject should be a department
of every state and national govern
ment. To be efficient it should be ad-
ministered by fathers, mothers anil
teachers who through study and ex-
perience have learned what children
need to bring out their best possibili-
ties, and who can give thorough study
to all the influences which lower the
physical and moral tone of society.
ct should be the department Of child
and home with headquarters in Wash
ington and branches in every state,
city and town. 1t should be working
department, collecting information and
statistics, and distributing practical
helpful suggestions for parents and
guardians of children.
"rhe government has long recog-
nized the value Of education of the in
tellect, and has provided generously
for that, and in many places has made
it compulsory. 1t has been
proved that 80 per cent. of
criminals yield to bad influences
during the school age, and that being
the fact, education which considers
the intellect only, and not the moral
side, is an injury rather than benefit
The fault is not with the children
laundering and neglect have developed
the bad qualities instead Of the good,
and that is the sole difference between
a criminal and good citizen. The
parents have the first five or six years
entirely in their own hands. If they
are earnest parents they will have in
their minds ideals toward which they
desire to shape the education of their
children. If they do not have any
ideals, but simply get along as best
they can from day to day, as the ma
Ivy 5n hn Of 20
children. There must be a way of
reaching the homes and helping them
to improve their system as much as
educators are studying to improve
theirs. The majority of children re-
ceive their education to the public
schools and through them it is pos
sible to reach the homes of the masses.
The time has come when to meet the
requiremnts of tn children the home
the school and the local state and ma.
t;OnGl governments should consult and
work together to provide the environ
nent education and opportunity which
are most beneficial for children. It is
the fundamental work which if
thoroughly and wisely done will pre-
vent the necessity for much Of the
work which now take time and money
Beyond the provision for public
school education it is surprising how
little has been done for children in
most states. There are always chill
dren who lack suitable guardians and
whose interests should be guarded by
the state. The last five years have
seen marked progress in creating bet
ter conditions but there is a limit1ess
field of work ahead before we approach
the conditions which are wholesome
and helpful for the best development OF
children.
"Organized motherhood has taken its
place as guardian and guide Of erring
children and every day it is increasing
the force of womanhood which is be
coming intelligently and actively in
terested in the training Of erring I'm
cared for waits of humanity.
''The protection of children from la
Dor which is injurious to life AND
health while giving them a love Of
work and the privilege of doing things
which are harmless physically is an
other phase of child protection which
is receiving consideration in many
places. 1t is very necessary in pass
ing laws governing child labor thai
we do not go to the other extreme ant
leave no work for them. The lack O.
Fairgrounds in cities and of any pro
vision for children to play in norma
wholesome fashion is serious draw
back physically and morally and is re
ceiving attention in many places, bu
there are yet thousands of communi
ties which have no provision of thai
kind for children. 1t is lack which
leads children to transgress city ordi
nances, and leads them into many
kinds of mischief The fact that in
state like Maine there should be one
l3;xOroo -, ororv civ r,orr;o1oe Sc .