Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 1.djvu/734

720 would have only had poorhouse support with no education. With these influences, had the old system prevailed, exposing children to crime and pauperism, there would no doubt have been 1000 children to support now at a cost of at least $75,000 per year, and then it would not have been one-fifth the cost it is in California which has only half the population of Michigan and has twenty-five dependent children to one in Michigan. The annual cost of the Michigan school including the county and state agencies, is less than $40,000 per year. The saving to the state considering only the economy, is very great each year. But the greater saving can never be shown. It is the saving of the children. Their loss can never be estimated. As Pericles said, "The loss which the commonwealth suffers by the destruction of its youth is like the loss which the year suffers by the destruction of Spring."

Some other system may accomplish as much, but that system has not yet been discovered. Since the world began no other government has made such a showing. At this date the school has received nearly 4000 children. These have been indentured or adopted; many have become self-supporting with homes and families of their own. Many have been restored to their parents and all have averaged about as well as the children attending the public schools.

The state board of Corrections and Charities and the county agents of the board materially aid in child saving. This board is a necessary feature in any well-organized penal and charitable system. If, in some states, the value of such board is not highly appreciated, it must arise from indifferent appointments to the board. It needs to be made up from capable, practicable, humane and business-like men, and above all the board should be non-political. Such a board is invaluable. The Michigan board supervises and reports on all state and county penal and charitable institutions, and submits its opinion to the governor on proposed appropriations. Its child-saving work is principally done through its county agents. These are appointed by the governor, one in each county. Their duties relate to both dependent