Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-11-14
EDUCATION WILL
PREVENT CRIME
DR.. Phelan So Declares Be.
fore American Prison
Association

u ~ fs~'Ns@s*- w.
Baltimore, Nov 1.-THE influ-
ence OF Education IN the Prevention
of Crime was discussed this after
noon before the Congress OF the
American Prison Association BY Or.
Daniel Phelan. president OF the
American Association OF Prison Sur
seons OF the Dominion Penitentiary
at Toronto. Canada. The old say
ing that an ounce OF prevention IL
worth more than a pound OF cure. "
said Or Phelan. In opening his ad-
dress "is trite but very true. In re.
gard 20 the crimes which become
daily more prevalent In the world
and which constitute a vertiable me-
mace 20 society, much thought has
been given 10 deyIsing means where
/ by they might be- lessened
The criminal tendencies como
rom hnredity. environment. the az
mo5phere in which they have been
'coulpmned 20 live. and from other
and equally self-eydent sources, but
since education or early training has
much 10 40 with the prevention OF
The multiplication OF those who lead
Irregular lives To- the world | have
selected that particular question az
the subject OF my brief Investigation
As the lack Of proper education Is
the cause Of a large percentage OF
crime today. conversely. the en-
couragement o. suitable education
must necessarily tend TO the dimin-
ishing OF the number OF those enc
mics OF society who are present so
frequently amongst US
We all know that the impressions
made on the young minds are the
most lasting. and WELD the greatest
Influence In shaping the future life
of the individual II is generally
conceded that the only way Che state
can deter permanently the malcfac-
tor from the commission OF lhs evil
deeds Is by educating him, for the
weakness % the will power OF the
youth who Is afflicted with evil ten
denotes can be strengthened by train
INK ana suitable education. the main
purpose % which Ia not TO enlighten
the mind hy means OF a proficiency
To certain studies. rather IL is TO pre-
pare the individual 10 live in society.
10 awaken In him favorable tenden-
Cies 90 action. intellectual incentives
10 goodness. and the highest senti-
ments of moral obligation The germs
OF moral insanity and also OF crime
are no doubt developed early In life.
AS the youth passes through ncr-
vous and irritable state incident to
his growth and development. and II
consequently more emotional. impul-
sive. and wilful during that critical
period Earl education should there
fore. be- directed towards correcting
the inherited and anti-socal i'm
pulses
THE state has II tn Its power to
greatly improve conditions TO es-
tablish means by which proper in
structiou can be given on certain
lines. aud suitable training given TO
the mind. the viii, and the moral
senses Philanthropy has a vast field
whereon 20 exercise its heueyolence
and us cndeayors. remembering,
however. that the education which
aim AZ rofutinr ont aE A means OF
making the good citizen, Is especially
one OF moral rs we'll as physical
training. and not the cultivation OF
the mind alone An individual en-
ioying such an education is worthy
Of the best consideration OF his fell
low man
Take a poor. neglected youth, in
clined 10 evil tendencies. and alive
with ungovernahle passion and light
up for him the torch OF knowledge,
and touch the hardness OF his heart,
II such is possible, even as Moses
struck the rock and water pushed
forth, and young will perceive the
transformation. II he has a spark OF
goodness In him, his mind becomes
clearer. the feelings more tender, his
aspirations more elevated his yearn-
ings more in accord with the inner
ent nobility OF mans disposition. and
his conduct more in harmony with
the fundamental principles Of social
we'll being His cruel heart less de-