The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-05-21
Would You Save
the Children Z?

Riley Turnbull, II years old, and
Elmer Wallace and Delbert MidkiH,
each ID years old, all Of Bismarck,
were arraigned in court here Tuesday,
charged with burglary and larceny
from an Iron Mountain railway car at
the above place. Judge Huck vacated
the bench in favor of Juvenile Judge
r. C. Tucker. Each of the defendants
entered a plea of guilty as charged,
and were sentenced to term Of two
years each in the Reform School at
Boonville, for which place they de-
parted Wednesday to serve their SEN
tences in care of Sheriff Adams.
These three make total of eighteen
juveniles who have been brought be-
fore the Juvenile Judge within the
past two weeks charged with crime.
1t is indeed difficult to imagine any
thing more alarming than this pres
ent tendency to criminality on the
part of the younger generation. I'm
der such conditions, the very natural
query is "What is to be done in order
to correct such truly alarming condi-
tions?" That is the question that is
up to you, and every other good citi-
zen for settlement. A solution for
this vexing problem must be found,
| if the well being of the rising genera
ton is to be conserved and protected.
On the theory that "like begets
like" the reason for this outbreak of
criminality among the Juveniles is
perhaps not so difficult to find. The
tendency to outlawry of different
kinds on the part of the adult popula-
ton, which has been bred largely by
military service and war extravaganza
es, which is largely responsible for
the germ of indolent and extravaganza
to take root and spread, is largely re-
sponsible. The human race is COM
posed very largely of imitators. What
is more natural, therefore, than that
the juvenile population would attempt
to initiate their elders in the matter of
outlawry. A certain percentage of
this tendency to outlawry can also be
correctly charged to vicious pictures,
as many pictures that are thrown on
the screen for public entertainment
truly are vicious.
In attempting to arrive at a correct
diagnosis of this criminal affliction,
in order that a remedy may be sug-
geSted, the average mind is led into
maze of intricacies to its entire be-
fuddlement. The proper solution of
this all-important matter-the safe
guarding of the rising generation
against this fungus growth of idle
ness and indolence--which leads in a
straight line to eri'ninality and out
lawry--fusAishes .loik for the big
gest and most active brains. The
plan of procedure with this impor-
tant work must not be delayed, if the
children of today are to receive the
full inheritance to which they are
justly entitled-good citizenship.
AS to the best manner of caring for
delinquent children, that also is well
worthy of careful and painstaking So
luton. The present method of send
ing wayward children to the State
Reform School is good in an emer-
gency, but that it all. In a county as
populous as is st. Francois there
should be better solution of that
matter also. The Times thoroughly
agrees with Juvenile Judge Tucker,
that there should be county home Sc
cured for such children, where it would
be possible, and altogether probable,
that better plans could be carried out
for their proper care and training, to
say nothing of the cost to which the
county is now put for their upkeep,
With proper home, and the right
kind of superintendent, there is lit
tie doubt that derelict children could
be far better cared for, at reduced
cost. Then the work of retaining
such children would afford fertile
field of labor for club women who are
so inclined, and would also open a
rich field for local contributions and
benefactions.
Do the above suggestions give
promise of the development of won
derful uplift for humanity in st. Fran
co.'s county? If they do, then it is up
to every good citizen to lend help
ing hand and push forward some such