Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-24

| VI lature for encouragement and support
than that embodied in the Georgia
Training School for Boys Established In
Baldwin county for the care of delinquent
and neglected youths, this institution, since
the first of the current year, has been IN the
charge of a Board Of Managers, whose re-
port of it's work and needs was recently
made public. Even a cursory reading OF the
facts therein set forth will convince thought
full citizens that so redemptive and safe
guarding function as the Boys Training
School performS-redemptiv for individuals
safeguarding for the whole Commonwealth
should be literally sustained and upbuilt.
Expediency itself, apart from humanita-
rian interest and duty, would counsel this
course. 1t is cheaper, incomparably cheaper,
to prevent crime than to pursue and punish
it. Every dollar the State spends to make
productive citizens out of friendless, vagrant
or incorrigible boys means hundreds saved
for the public treasury later on. In the lad
howsoever ill-raised or misguided he may be,
timely and efficient training will check pro-
! pensites which in the man have become grim
| chains Of fate The habits, the motives, the
ideas, the very brain cells Of youth can be
| wrought into character that will serve hui
man society, instead of harming or burden
ing it, if only the task be taken duly in hand.
And if that all important task be neglected
in the home-as sometimes, pathetically
| enough, it is-should not the State, for self
preserving reasons, if none higher, see to it
barriers raised?
1t is to just tbs profoundly practical as
we'll as noble purpose that the Georgia Train
ing School for Boys is dedicated-a purpose
stated with beautiful concreteness by the in
stitution's Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Orian
w. Manson, in this wise:
To train delinquent" or neglect
ed boy to make good citizen; to teach
him honesty, truthfulness obedience,
thoroughness in work, good manners,
and cleanliness in body and mind; to
teach him a trade SO that he will be
an asset instead of liability to the
State; to give him the education pre-
scribed for the youth of Georgia through
the course of study arranged by the
State Educational authorities. Through
textbook, practice, and example, to
teach him to reverence the laws of his
community, country and his God and to
regard the Bible the guide for happi-
ness in this life and the great eternity
to come.
Now if the General Assembly is not dutv
bound to provide adequate funds for cause
ike this, there is no such thing as Legisla-
tive obligation. More funds there must be.
II the school is to shoulder it's present re-
sponslblllt1es and meet those crowding ahead
In his admirable report as chairman of the
Board of Managers, Colonel F. J, Paxon
points to the significant fact that whereas
on January 1, last, there were ninety-six in
mates In the institution, on June 1, there
were one hundred and thirty-seven, "while
the maximum capacity for housing trainine
and care is one hundred and fifty-five."
Wlthln fortnight so, at the present rate
OF increase, the number of inmates will have
reached the limit beyond which no others
cdh pe admltted-a truly distressful pros
pect' as 1t means that youthful offenders
against the law, who ought to be sent to the
training School, must be flung in with hard
ened CRIMINALS or cast utterly adrift. The
least, therefore, that the Legislature in good
conscience can do is to provide means for
expansion to meet the institutions pressing
demands. Especially urgent is the need of
ten cottages to supplement the present DOR
mltory; a local water-supply system, which
can be installed for about a thousand dol
lars and which will do away with water hills
amounting to twelve hundred dollars wear.
a laundry, an infirmary, and dentistry serv
ice; and more adequate facilities for teach
ing industrial and agricultural crafts as wei,
as common school subjects.
Inc total amount required for these and
other essential improvements is less. far less
IMAM neglect of the Training Schools mission
would cost the State in a single wear or q
single month. For who can measure the So
clal ana CIVIC cost of suffering a boys char
acter TO grow into grooves and bonds of
CRIME, When by due discipline and friendship
1t could be made into a force for good sarT,
ice, and into an image of things divinep The
Scnoors Board of Managers are warmly tn
De commented for their vaselfish zeal in
tnls noble works behalf Surely thair an
peal Tor Legislative support will not go IN
answered. o. "
<.,L ,xxx7 II YvZ