The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-22
4 STATE SHAME
An Issue Of More Importance Than
state Expenses

IN the columns OF the Advance !
have appeared articles relative 10
the state House Referendum. We
an regard our state. desire rs mater
iai welfare and believe in providing
vel for our legislative bodies and
I'm making beautiful our safe capital
Bnt are there not some Tar greater
needs that should have attention OF
good citizens oi Vermont and gaia
the ihoueht and action OF our Lexis
iative hodiesg
LEI us specify: In q certain town.
two little girls we're growing up m
home: the father Is in prison. the
neither does not bear a good name
the surroundings and the life In that
home we're wholly improper for those
TWO little girls. We wrote 10 every
institution in this state. Of which We
could learn. suitable 10 care Tor these
children and could not find In the
whole state OF Vermont an open door.
Since then we have learned OF sever
al cases where little girls like unto
these are living in improper and I'M
% surroundings within this safe OF
Vermont.
Another case IN a Vermont town
young woman. with a father Of elm
inal tendencies and mother not OF
good character who has been brought
up In ignorance and evil r.. as might
be expected. Of an immoral nature
and a corrupting influence 20 the com
munity. Last year she gave birth to
child which happily died and this
year she made TO the good state oil
We mont the gift OF another child. Il
needs no prophetic eye to see that
tho offspring OF such woman means
| degenerates and harlots 20 help on
the crime record OF Vermont and un
terminates for Vermont 10 care Tor
Quick viii rise the judgment of some
put her in a penal institution. Blu
before too swift n judgment is pass
ed. let the heart speak. This woman
has never in this world had chance
She was born into evil: her little life
opened up to evil: uncared for an'
ignorant. che has naturally growI
and developed into evil and shame
she is weak and helpless: she need
not punishment half so much as sh'
needs pity and care and help. w
have tied to find some place FOR thi
poor wronged woman in this STATE
and there is none. excep- a penal il
stitution.
Another case: In the municipa
court OF Bennington. a youth OF onl
seventeen years OF age was. contrar
10 the judgment and wish OF III
Judge. sent to the state prison. b.
cause there was no where else h
could be sent. lie ought not to be
state prison. He ought to have trea
ment care. help Given these and b
could be saved, saved TO himself an
saved to decent citizenship. II
is enc OF those unfortunates. VII
come handicapped into life and, hel
less themselves-ne lit
care little compassion, a little he
find in the state of society man h'
created only n stern judgment an
the cold thrust of a pitiless hand.
II Is TO the dishonor and shame
Vermont that she has neglected al
stin neglects, such little ones as Il
Rrst case. and to is condemnati'
that she can do nothing but punish
woman, who is weak and needy wi
Is wronged more than she does wron
who has never had a chance and q
only chance the state gives her nc
is a chance to suffe- behind the bal
and T. is to its censure that jud
is compelled to do with a youth, W
has done wrong, that which Meth
his good Judgment nor his wish G.
commend.
II is well to talk of stone and mi
I | tor and government buildings; b
do not build If little ones must go
protected and uncared for and I
weak and helpless be doomed to I
f son and suffering.
Not things, but souls; MOI beat
and appropriateness of building
, but the life and welfare of the We
est and most helpless of our peopl
Vermont needs and sadly needs,
awaken to the shame of her negl
of those, who, helpless, suffer.-W
Coburn, in The Advance.