The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-12-07


ents. Is not something radically
wrong? Is II not a lack OF home
training, neglect and poor Judgment
on the part Of parents? Children are
permitted to run the streets at WILL
choose their own companions, read
vile literature, and parents take no
notice OF such small things: they are
waiting for something more notice
able and then attempt TO correct
them when too late.
Recently a mother made complaint
that her fourteen-year-old boy was in
corrigible, and on investigation
found the mother had always let him
have his own way because he was
high tempered; his companions were
older boys, who never came to the
house with him but frequented hut
in the back yard where they read
vile novels, smoked cigarettes, ex-
changed immoral stories and COM
mitted nameless acts that ruin both
mind and body. This boy had stolen
money from his mother to buy tobac-
co for "the gang" as he called them,
and yet this mother never told the
boys father for fear he would punish
him and then he would run away
from home. advised her to tear
down the hut and give the boy the
parlor to play in and then she could
come in closer touch with his life
and his companions. How many sad
mistakes are made because parents
do not pull together in the bringing
up of their children; father wants to
correct, but mother makes excuses.
"Oh, don't scold that boy; he will be
better when he grows older" I dare
say that seven out of every ten cases
of delinquency environment is to
blame. Real love and wisdom on the
part Of the parent was lacking. If
boys with parents and homes go
astray, what then Of the poor home.
less, misguided boys who live on the
streets and in novels? With no
homes, no parents and no training,
what can be expected of them? But
there are other conditions that cause
boys to become delinquent, and space
would not permit mention of all that
are in my mind. We see on every
hand toys and devices to tempt and
create in the mind of the boy desire
to initiate a man in wrong doing; and
again, how many adults by law viola
tions, acts and conversations throw
temptations in the boys pathway.
How easily I could demonstrate this
by exhibiting my large collection of
contraband goods taken from small
offenders.
What would suggest to lessen de-
linquency and commitments to our
industrial schools? The first and
most essential thing to my mind
would be to better the conditions in
the home. Too many homes are only
considered place to sleep and eat.
But what / mean is a home where
Gods Ten Commandments and obed-
fence to all civil law are taught and
put into practice; a place to the child
the most loved spot on earth, and it's
lessons and memories the most
sacred, valuable and lasting; for let
us remember that the real formation
of character must come from the
home and home life. And secondly,
to lessen temptations that lead chill
dren astray. Too many are permitted
to have everything they see and wish
for; unnecessary luxuries. which not
only spoil those with means, but are
source Of envy and temptation to
those without means. And last, /
would ask for more interest in the
reformation Of delinquent boys. Give
them a chance to reform at home
first. Don't commit them to the in
dustrial school If it can be avoided,
let us do our duty at home first; but
when he is committed and his time
comes to be sent home let us help
him to carry out his good resolutions
by kindness and attention; give him
chance to return to new and bet
ter life, which means not only happi-
ness in his boyhood, but makes it pos
sible for him to become good and
useful man.
When I look back over the many
years of my work with boys, how
pleasant is the recollection when
thing of some boy have saved from
criminal record! have in mind
several that watched over for years.
1t is true that now and then they
would get into trouble and violate
their probation orders, but kept it
to myself and time after time gave
them a new start, and finally they
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