Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1903 — TO CURB HOODLUMISM. [ARTICLE]

TO CURB HOODLUMISM.

Long delayed efforts are now to be made to curb the hoodlum element in Rensselaer. The matter has reached a stage where the teachers in the city schools are interesting themselves in the situation. It is said that it is becoming difficult to hold teachers here by reason of this element’s insults. The mayor and city marshal have been talked to in the matter and it is announced that prosecutions will follow future matters of this kind that come to their attention. The Democrat believes that too much leniency has been observed heretofore and that there has been too much catering to this element, as it has frequently stated. It would also suggest, at this time, that the pupils of the public schools of the city are the coming young men and women here, on whom we must depend for an enforcement of the laws and a proper respect for law and order, and that a little curbing of the disgraceful class tights and football spirit there, together with the respect that gentlemen and ladies are entitled to, might be productive of good results in this line. We remember a line in our old copy book at school which/read something about “as the twig is bent the tree is inclined.’’ The parents should also assist in training their children to behave themselves.