Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-07-31
CONCERNING our STATE INSTITUTIONS
Milwaukee Teacher Makes Suggestions In Re
gard TO Wayward Children


Most people realize that they are part Of
the state, but very few seem to sense the fact
that state institutions, either educational cor.
receive Or penal, a part of the community
and that all people. whether they are enjoy.
ing liberty or not, are eo-citizens and help 70
raise or lower the standards of the state.
II has been my privilege 20 be placed in a
position where l was ensbled to study state
institutions. the methods employed, and the
results obtained from their use. Naturally.
have Srawn conclusions of my own, therefrom
deri' ing theories, W, ich, after experimenting
ap3 proven. produce facts.
having viewed this interesting subject from
all angles, the next step was 10 study the
causes for our institutions being always filled
to their utmost capacity. These we're, OF
course, the problems of humanity character.
istie of every village, town or city. You may
feel that. this is of no particular interest 10
you, but it is Of vital Importance TO you. your
community, your state. your children who are
to be the citizens of tomorrow.
The problems that confront the mothers OF
the city are identical with the problems that
face the mothers of small town. Any town
of 2.000 population is large enough for a SOC
ial settlement, that will be open TO men. va.
and children of an, age. All reforma-
tions must be founded unon an educational
basis, and il children are TO be trained cor
eoctiy, the mothers and fathers must know
how TO do il.
The cause of most wrong doing is ignorance
Hesitate TO place child under 10. who is men
tally and physically normal. in n corrective in
s4ttHttoNs even thVuEA ~ ls way ward and u tid
or 10 use the word thai has apparently lost
its meaning. "Ineorrigib,e" That child does
not need the discipline of a state school, for
unless is is unusual aua rises shove lis as.
seciates, who are the victims Of moral depTav-
ity, il will be influence ny its environments
and with the assistance Of an injured pride
and mind, will become Is one of them.
/ have watched many cases and know this 70
be true. May the men ana women of the state
take an active interest in the conditions that
lead children into verse company in institu-
tions that they could possibly fall into al
home. Institutions, being controlled by the
state, il follows that politics must bring about
the changes necessary 10 any states program.
Conditions may not be altered until women
are given equal rights with men. Then there
will be changes in every location that win elc-
waite the standard of the community and force
men TO respect the rights and happiness of ev-
cry individual.
sSocial Welfare" is such a broad and we'll
balanced topic that | find il extremely difficult
10 choose the points most helpful 10 this city.
However, ] am persOnal-and that is the reas-
on | can throw myself. heart and soul into
this work, hoping 10 show people what is
wrong with our institutions. confident that in
tellignet citizens will IN time eliminate the
defects and strengthen Che COED paints. Then
will have the ease of conscience that GENES
from having done ones duty.
MARIE B. ASBJ0RNS0N.