The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-01-16
An Alarming
State of Affairs

There are doubtless few people in
this county who begin to appreciate
the Importance of the duties that are
supposed to be performed by the
County Probation and Truant Officer,
which duties are being SO satisfac-
torily performed by Judge R. c.
Tucker. From the time of his ap-
pointment to this important office,
Judge Tucker appeared to realize, in
very large measure, the Importance
Of the duties incumbent on such Of
ficer, to the full performance Of which
he has devoted very large part of
his personal attention. Yet the splen-
did results that are being constantly
obtained through his efforts are even
yet comprehended by but few citizens,
the best interests of all of whom are
vitally concerned, either directly or
indirectly, by the full and comprehen-
sive administration of the business Of
such office.
AS an indication Of the Importance
of this office, when its business is
properly looked after, we would call
attention to letter from B. F. Melch-
er, superintendent of the Bonne Terre
schools, published this week in the
County School Notes, In another col
umn. This letter indicates that the
writer is beginning to appreciate the
livery great Importance of the work that
lis being accomplished by the Truant
Officer in the matter of compelling
children to attend school, which is on
ly part of the duties of such officer.
While interviewing Judge Tucker
Monday, reporter for The Times had
his "eyes opened" in regard to some
things he had discovered in this coun-
ty while attending to his official du-
| ties. In some cases where children
had been reported as being delinquent
in school attendance, he found on in
vestigation that children were being
kept from school on account of lack
of sufficient clothing; in other cases
owing to ignorance, filth and shiftless-
ness on the part of the parents. In
some instances children have been
sent home by teachers by reason of
being covered with dirt and vermin, in
order to safeguard other pupils.
The Judge said that in number of
homes he had visited, especially in the
Lead Belt, the filth was such as to
make it unfit for hogs. And yet the
children of such novels are expected
to go from them into the public
schools to secure an education, there
by subjecting the entire district to a
possible contagion which may have
been bred in such homes where the ir-
responsible children must spend n
large part OF their days and nights.
The Judge says the cleanign-up pro-
cess that must result when the exist
ing lamentable conditions becomes
more and more apparent, has not yet
even begun. What form the steriliz-
i ing process should take he at this time
is unable to state, but he says there
is an enormous work that must soon
be performed in this regard if the
health and prosperity of all the people
are to be guarded.
Where Judge fuckers efforts thus
far appear to be producing the great
est results is in increased school at
tendance. There are not nearly so
many slackers in school attendance as
formerly. He has way of impress
ing delinquents with the fact that
they must attend school. "If not at
home, then at Boonville," is his slo-
gan. When "slackers" are made to
understand that if they persist in
absenting themselves from the school
room, then the Truant Officer will
take hand and send them to the Re-
formatory, where they will not only
be compelled to attend school, but al
so to work when not in school. The
Judge had just returned from call
when the reporter saw him, where he
had "taken in" youth who has been
making a practice of staying out of
! school, apparently in disobedience to
the wishes of his parents. He appar-
emily convinced the culprit that it was
school for him, either at home or in
Boonville, and the "slacker" was ap-
parently glad to promise that he would
attend school in Pennington if given
l another chance.