Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 1.djvu/724

 THE MICHIGAN SYSTEM OF CHILD SAVING.

unique system of child saving in Michigan is a very interesting object lesson in sociology. By it this state has reversed for itself the condition, prevailing for centuries under older governments, by which crime and pauperism increased in greater ratio than the population. The higher civilization reached, the lower descended the classes out of which dependents and offenders were made. In earlier days civilization was threatened by barbarism from without, while in modern times the danger comes from barbarism within, from those elements of society which develop poverty, crime, riot and anarchy. The most profound study of the social scientist and statesman discovered no adequate remedy and society was alarmed. To imprison or execute the offender and to support the dependent was all that was conceived. Prevention in this field was as far in the future as preventive medicine. Reform had not been heard of. The Agricultural Colony for delinquent boys at Mettray, France, founded early in this century, is considered the parent of reform schools. For all time the prevailing agencies were:

VINDICTIVE PUNISHMENT AND UNORGANIZED CHARITY. For the criminals there were chains, hanging, beheading, torture, the dungeon, and all well-known crimes against criminals The measures were severe enough, but they were not deterrent. It is a little over one hundred years since Howard revealed the wretched condition of English and continental prisons. And in that century reform has not been as rapid as we might expect from Howard's revelations. The very conception of prison reform was erroneous. Instead of commencing with the destitute and exposed child it waited until the child became a criminal. Then for young delinquents extensive institutions were erected