The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-04-13
JuveniIc Delinquency,

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Judge Ben Lindsey. Of Denver,
probably our most notable exponent
Of the new method OF dealing with
juvenile delinquency points ont in
aFecent lecture the immensely of the
problem presented by the breaking
up, through various Influences. oil
home life, says the Washington Her.
aid, AT least 100000 in this
country are forced to occupy the
double role of mothers and bread
winners, over 100000 mothers en-
ter this role every year, bringing
with them children who are forced
10 aid in the family earnings or who
are compelled to stay in abodes
lacking for the better part of the
day a mothers presence. Under
these conditions the protection of
children and the supervision Of the
Influences under which they live he
come more and more care of the
community. Thousands Of children
areIbrought before the juvenile and
other courts on various counts of de-
linquency. Many of these children
are the victims of environment, some
are affected by physical defects, and
a few of the mare hopelessly beyond
redemption. The purpose of mod
ern treatment is to save them, If
possible. so that they may become
self-supporting members of society.
and not dependents or heasts of
prey.
As late as the year 1882, Judge
Lindsey tells us, English boys under
IA were sentenced to death for petit
larceny. though their sentence was
commuted to life Imprisonment in
Difference to the growing sentiment
against extreme penalties. Nova
days boys of that age guilty of petty
crimes are not regarded as crimi-
mails. but as delInquents. and are sent
to reformatories: or If the case be
one which can he so dealt with, the
delinquent is put on probation. "A
remarkable advance in Jurisprudence
IS indicated ny these extremes. yet
1t appears to he justified by results.
The Jail. as everybody knows, is our
most prolific school of crime. To
send thousands Of children annually
to Jail would he in itself crime.
according TO the modern way of
thinking. Instead of committing
that crime against youth, We now
seek to avoid placing upon the
child's brow the stigma of crimi-
nal record, and to direct his energies
into wholesome channels. An at
tempt is made TO cure the defects
Of his home training and in deten-
ton schools TO give him the disci-
pline his parents failed 10 supply
Judge Lindsey says the detention
school in Denver costs $4,000 a
year, and the Jail $4,000. Under
the old system he tells us. the
Jail was the state school for crime; :
the detention school. on the con-
trary. is the state school for good
citizenship
Judge Lindsey is of the opinion
that the new system pays. 1t is not
only cheaper in cost than the old,
hut It saves as a social asset what
might otherwise DE lost in human
degradation and criminal activity.
Prevention of crime Is cheaper than
its promotion and punishment. Jail
and reform schools are necessary in
Judge Lindsey's opinion, Tbut not 50
much as so many people think.
Whatever can be done. to save chill.
dren from travelling the path of dc.
struction by SO much lessons the
need of institutional methods OF
dealing with delinquency. Probably
there Is no more useful and hopeful
extension Of state function than that