The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-11-14
The Great Question

TIC 0iCaA &0NoN'~F
Ue fullv agree with the St Adams
Messenger and the Bennington Ban
ner that one OF the most vital ques-
tions before the people OF Vermont
today is the care of those poor I'M
Terminates who are left without
home or are worse than homeless;
children who are growing up in ignor-
ance and surrounded by influences
that tend to make them anything Dut
useful citizens If not criminals
This great question is world wide
and is demanding the most serious
consideration of the great statesmen
and students of human progress in
this country.
II the proper development of the
human body was worthy the attention
of the great statesmen OF ancient
Greece. how much more important II
is TO the future of this state and ma
ton that not only the body but the
mind be properly developed that we
become a country of great men. II
physical development could make
people great in history as 1t did the
Spartans what might not the right
development of mind and body do for
Vermont, do for America?
If the legislature could be brought
to a full realization Of this tremen-
dous question and pass bill provid-
ing for the establishment of great
state industrial school or schools
where not only the mind and body OF
that great class Of future citizens
could be trained and developed but
at the same time they might be
taught not the art OF war as in Spar
Ia but the arts Of peace, some trade
best adapted to their capabilities, 1t
would make this session and the
members Of this legislature, famous
for all time to come and blaze the
way to similar development Of good
citizenship throughout the nation.
It is too p ich to hope for this now.
The people have not been aroused to
its tremendous importance to this
state and this country but the day
will come ed we trust in the not far
distant futue when this question will
overshadow all others.
What to do now is the question OF
the hour.
The Vermont Industrial school al
Vergennes has commenced this great
work and is making tremendous
success of it.
This is the testimony of legislative
committees from other states as vel
as this legislature. Of superintendent
and statesmen at home and abroad
who have recently visited the insti
tuition and seen with their own eyes
what is being accomplished in The
physical, mental and moral develop
ment OF the boys and girls that have
been committed to its care by The
state.
II this school, now so badly crowd
ed, could be enlarged at small ex
pense II would be in shape TO furnish
great object lesson 10 the peopl,
of Vermont OF what could be don,
along these lines OF saving and max
ing good citizens Of a great class o
boys and girls who might otherwis
grow up to become a menace to tn
state instead Of its support an,
strength in the years to come.
The Vermont Industrial school ha
the right management now. that |
so essential TO carrying out success
fully this great work.
II is today, not a penal institution
but an ideal home: an ideal commo
school; an ideal industrial school.
There are no criminals in Il a
some papers, without knowledge 4
what the real conditions are. intin
ate The good are separated froi
The bad and il any criminals are ser
to the school who cannot be made II
TO good students. good members {
the great, happy family they are sci
down to the penal institution at Ru
land. the House Of Correction. Their
they are confined as IN penal institl
lions.
There is no need OF q high fenc
around this school, nor bars TO an
windows or cells with strong bolts
condne these boys and girls. as N
power OF love and kindness that rule
here makes every boy and girl low
TO the spirit Of the institution an
r ready and willing to do their part
uphold It's good name and defend 4
reputation as one OF the greatest an
best schools In acknowledgement,
Vermonter.