Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1909 — HOME IS PLACE FOR THE CHILD [ARTICLE]

HOME IS PLACE FOR THE CHILD

This Is Keynote of White House Conference. REMARKS BY PRESIDENT

Says That “Government Consists of Men In It, and If You Do Not Have the Right Men Handling Any Part of a Great Governmental System, Then That Part Will Work Badly.’’—Specialists In Caring For Dependents Make Addresses. Washington, Jan. 26; —The importance of the preservation of the home intact was the central theme around which the discussion revolved at the conference on the care of dependent ■children which formally was opened by President Roosevelt at the White House. The subject under consideration was "should the breaking of a home lie permitted for reasons of poverty, or only for reasons us inefficiency or immorality?” It was the unanimous opinion of an array of notable charity workers and others who took part in the discussion that the child can best be reared under the influence of the home. It also was the consensus of opinion that where poverey exists in the home state aid should be given. President’s Remarks.

After <n;ilining the scope of the work before the conference, the president calli'd Homer Folks, president of the slate probation commission of New York, to the chair. The president spoke in part as follows: “There can be no more impdriant subject from tlie standpoint of the nation than that with which you deal; because when you take care of the ehjldrer yon are taking care of the nation of tomorrow. “The government can do much. But never forget that the government cannot do everytlting; there must always be help by individuals and associations outside. And as to the government itself. Remember always that ‘government’ is not merely an abstract term. The government consists of the men in it, and if you do not have the right men handling any part of a great governmental system then that part will work badly.”

Ail Plead For Family Ties. The speakers who made strong pleas for the preservation of the family ties included Michael .1. Scanlan, president New York Catholic Home Bureau; Ernest I’. Bicknell, president Conference Charities and Correction, 1909; Janies F. Jackson, Superintendent Associated Charities, Cleveland, O.; Judge William H. Lacey of the Washington, D. C.. juvenile court, and Dr. Edward T. Devine of New York. Scanlan tjeclared that there is a battle on between those who would preserve the family and those who would destroy it. “For us Catholics,” he said, “we stand by the teachings of our church In favor of the preservation of the family circle.” An emphatic affirmative was given to the question: “Should the state in spect the work of all caring agencies, including both instructions and home-flndlng societies?”