Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/37

 SCHOOLS FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN 23

" very poor " families, 269 from families in moderate circum- stances, and only 19 from families in comfortable circumstances. " In but few cases," we are told, "was the home life such as to stimulate a good boy in good intentions, much less to deter one, whose tendencies are evil, from the commission of crime." Of the offenses committed, 521 were of a burglarious character; 69 robberies, or attempts to rob ; 295 larcenies, or attempts at or in aid of larceny; and 73 were of different character. Most of these crimes would seem to be largely traceable to poverty. If the boys had had good homes and had been given a fair educa- tion, especially a trade and a fair "chance in the world," the vast majority would never have become criminals. Certainly, these boys, when once they were given a practical education and a chance, became useful men, and surely it is wiser to give them such help before they become criminals than it is to allow them to fall and then reform them.

However, it is vain to dream of a good time coming, when society shall cease to produce criminals. It is certainly quite possible to improve social, industrial, and political conditions, especially in our large cities, and this is the supreme desidera- tum; but still there will be a need of reformatory institutions, and it is very encouraging to note that these institutions are being conducted on more rational and humane principles that they were fifty or even twenty-five years ago.

T. H. MACQUEARY.

CHICAGO PARENTAL SCHOOL.