Show STUDENT LIFE 140 for which he was suffering could possibly have done One night in a city prison brought to his eyes and ears more of the worldly sin and vice than he had robbed and pilfered from every hen roost rabbit farm or pigeon cote for blocks around A person can realize better what a prison life is if he will but scan the “bookings’ of a single day at a city olice station Every form of vice is represented every criminal law has its unfortunate violator and the movements of the lower world arc easily read on the face of the desk sergeant's daily record Into this concoction of evil potions the young law breaker is thrust For the first time he bears questionable stories or profane talk he hears the echo of the rumbling “half world” his little imagination becomes distorted and the law breaker is his hero All of this comes just at that period when his individuality and character first begins to develop and whatever environment he comes in contact with he assimilates it Xot only that for upon the police records among the names of thieves and murderers his name is breakers law sundry written opposite a charge for a crime committed in childish ignorance It stands as a barrier to success and a black spot upon his citizenship Let me ask if there is ever an inquiry or court proceeding where the examining lawyer does not ask of the “man on the cut-throa- ts stand” whether or not he has ever been arrested? If however one does not consid- er the penaltv side of the question of dealing with “bad” boys according to Common Law and goes farther back into the case to consider the circumstances under which the youngster “hooked” the chickens it will Le found that the old method was much at fault The old law did not take into consideration whether the young prisoner was an orphan or not: if his mother and or father were good citizens whether he had a “clean card” at the city schools The only thing in which the police court was concerned was whether or not that bit of poultry disappeared through the aid or direction of the little prisoner If it was he who thrust the hens in a sack and “soaked” them to a poultry dealer around the corner it usually meant that just as heavy penalty was placed upon his act as upon that of the giown man There were not many judges who would have stopped to inquire into the home life of the bov or whether or not he was hungry Not would have many magistrates shown any leniency if the bov had told him that his place of abode was in a straw barrel that his customary breakfast consisted of sandwich and a cup of coffee and his amusement was principally confined to a “circle” seat in a “ten twent and thirt” melodrama house The environments of the young fellow were never considered when the law had to be enforced to the |