The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-01-31
A spENDTHRIFT OR a THIEF

Monday morning the appearance OF AN un-
accompanied ten year old boy the streets here
attracted no special attention. until that night.
,shen he asked for a room at a local hotel and
aid he had no money with which to pay He
was admitted and after lounging around Tor
While produced some new articles which he OF
fered for sale to the other dodgers. The chief oil
police Immediately went to work on the case and
found that the articles had been stolen from local
business houses The boy then fessed up and
was made to help distribute the articles to those
from whom he had stolen them.-lubboek Avail
anche.
This is one Of our old social problems and one
which is commanding the best thought OF men and
women everywhere. What will we do with the
youthful theft States have had to solve the prob
lem. Texas has reform school. other states
hive this or that method OF reforming the youth
a the land and making honest boys and future
czens out Of them We have studied much on
n $ question. as naturally would do in rails.
i-g two boys The greatest shame that could
orne to US, and the greatest sorrow would be
fr our bows TO turn thiefs OF all the horrors
and sorrows that could befal parents would be to
lnow that their son had turned thief There is
4 way to avoid this sadness that comes TO so
many homes Parents should study this question
deeply and earnestly OF the boys raised in the
towns and cities this day and age. there is more
temptation for them 10 turn thief than with the
bows raised in the country There is so much 20
N end money for there many more tempta-
I ms for boys in towns than in the rural districts.
Our policy has been to furnish the boys with
bending money not extravaganty. but let him
bow that you are back OF him in his childish de
ysas and necessities AZ the same time teach him
economy and the necessity OF saving money. We
would rather raise a spendthrif than thief here
or some parents who have turned their boys
thieves by the ngardly way they give them spend
ipe money When they other boys with
spending money, il is quite natural Tor them
TO want some for themselves and If you don
supply it, or encourage them 10 work for IT, they
will form the habit OF stealing. Some say that
dishonesty is hcredory but think more boys
become dishonest through environments than they
do through inheritance Al any rate the question
of raising boys and girls is a perplexing one and
commands very best and deepest thought
Lockney Beacon
Some people seem to have an idea that beat
ing child is the only way Of correction and they
work this theory overtime and as natural consc-
quence as soon as the child Is big enough 10 make
IFS get away from such treatment they usually get
and we dare say that the unmerciiu applying
of the rod has been the ol many boy or
girl leaving home and seeking more conRenial
place to live and when they drift out into the
world without shelter money. they are forced
10 do things that they would not otherwise do.
The parents OF today TO not have the same
control Of the home that they did in the days Of
old and while not many Of wish 10 take a
back track and 90 back 10 the days OF yorc, still
in this respect the world would probably be better
II little Of the old time restrictions were placed
around the family and children made to feel that
home is the best place earth, and therefore
would rather be there than anywhere lese. The
home should be the most pleasant place on earth.
Yet. 1--WE sorry TO say) IS often anything
else and the devil knows it. for he is the chief
guest in such homes and takes advantage Of this
condition and prepares a place down town for the
boys where every comfort is provided. and every
thing done to make the boy enjoy himself. and
finally there il trouble in the land and a in
and occupant in the penteniIary and
thus il goes We must revive the old time. We
must fight for the safety Of the home IN this land.
and for purer sacred marriage relations.
Old American wake up She must brush
the cobwebs from her eyes. and get down to real
work Of improving the morals OF this country or
the breakers ahead will be the destruction OF the
country But back to the boy subject: 1t is great
one. and that naturally must be governed ac-
cording to the individual disposition OF the boy.
This is found to be so Extraordinarily OF
the same family being disposed alike and parents
must naturally study the disposition OF each and
rule accordingly The main thing believe is
the keeping Of every boy at home much pos
IDLE. and thiss will prevent most OF the evils that
enguIf them. and them to do wrong things
that apt to get into their minds The whole
thing comes back to the place OF beginning. home
training and pleasant home environments