The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-11-26
SUGGESTIONS FOR
REFORM SCHOOL


. | am very much interested in tn
: fight you are making to better th
condition OF the Boys industrial
: School at Mariana.
! Now that the State Legislature il
in special session and will take vi
the subject, some action should b,
, taken to put the school under proper
management for permanent good re
suits not only in the care but in the
training and development of the boys
into useful citizens.
Its management and control should
be under the best talent and thought
OF the State If we expect proper con-
structive work that will be credit
to this day and generation.
These unfortunate children handi-
capped by heredity and environment
need a square deal and fair show in
life and as wards of the State are en-
titled to just consideration and
should be given such care, treatment
and training as will make useful citi-
zens rather than criminals of them.
They will be just what we make of
them and the State will harvest the
sans kind of seed sown in an increas-
ing ratio,
If we make criminals and degener.
ates their children will be degenerates
and criminals to the second and third
generation after them and the State
reaps its just reward in furnishing
Jails, almshouses, hospitals, asylums
and prisons as we'll as court expenses. |
Here it is zone ounce of prevention |
is worth ten pounds of cure" besides
the duty Christian civilized COM
munity owes these unfortunate chill. |
dren for which you and I are in a
measure responsible for their condi
ton because we furnish the soil in
which they grow.
1t is self evident to the thinking
mind that it is our duty to give these
children an opportunity to make good
in life and leave progressive strain
of good in the children after them.
There is only one way to get these
results and that is to put this and
similar institutions Of the State un-
der the control and management of
the best men and women of the State
that are trained and qualified for that
class of work.
The people of the State should in
sist on the Legislature enacting such
statutes as will secure these results
and arrange for board of governors
Or directors constituted as follows:
The Federation of Women's Clubs,
he State Teachers Association and
he State Medical Association, each
nominate two of their members to be
appointed by the governor, the six so
appointed with the State school SUI
oerintendent to constitute a board of
seven to have full control and man
lgement of the State Industrial School
md allied institutions.
Every member of the State Legisla /,
ure is in a measure responsible for
he conditions that now exist at the !
state Industrial School, which you
IRE so nobly presenting to the people I
u the State and the plain duty of !
ZACH member of the Legislature is to r
lelp put this and allied institutions
'nder such control and management I
IS Will not only prevent such condi.
ions in the future but make useful
itlzens and not criminals of its in
mates.
We do not need a Hun prison in
florida, but humane institution that
an do constructive character build,
ng that will be credit to the State
n this, the greatest age of the world
as ever seen, America stands for
liberty and justice with service.
Shall the great State of Florida
tand for less?