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Show DEALING WITH BAD BOYS. The public attention has been repeatedly repeat-edly directed recently to the vlclous-and vlclous-and reckless boys who make life a burden bur-den for residents In various part of the city by their hoodlumism, their aggressions, aggres-sions, and their misdemeanors. Some of these bad boys have been called to account In the courts for crimes that range from petty larceny to burglary. The scene In Judge Morse's court on Friday was the climax to one incident In this shocking career downward of too many of the youths of this city The lads were plainly guilty, and yet tho court mercifully (and It is to bo hoped wisely) committed the offenders to the Reform school. In the pleas made for these unfortunate unfortu-nate youths, stress was laid by the parents pa-rents on the claim that evil associates led the boys astray. There Is no doubt perfect truth In that: but on tho other hand, It is no doubt equally true that these boys in their turn have been bad associates for other lads, and have in like manner led them astray. This sort of thing is a continuous chain. One set of boys, expert in mischief, mis-chief, gradually lowering their moral standards in the search for excitement and eagerness to show their mistaken enterprise, go further and further astray, commit trespasses of various sorts, going downward and continually downward, until they land in the criminal crimi-nal dock. At tho same time, a following of emulators emu-lators has attached to every daring leader, and the continuity is complcto through all its grades, from the captured cap-tured culprit to the boy who merely wants to stay out night "to have a llt-tlo llt-tlo fun." And having that little fun o' nights, free from all restraints, with no healthy or innocent game or amusement amuse-ment to employ the time and energies, Is the foundation of all evil, the stepping step-ping stone in the debasement of the boy. There Is so much of this youthful degeneracy de-generacy developed that it is high time it attracted public attention In some way that would be an effective bar to Its further progress. The boy who ranges the streets at night is, prima facie, either beginning tho downward course or else has made progress In it. Boys, while out ln the day time, can play ball, marbles, run races, and enjoy themselves In a healthy, Innocent manner; man-ner; but the boy out at night is out for mischief and, as a rule, for no good. The first step, then, evidently Is to stop tho night ranging. The boys should bo taken. out of tho streets at any cost. If a sentiment could be created among them for healthy athletics, ath-letics, and places provided for practice, It would be a great thing for the boys, in many ways besides preserving their moral fiber. Societies might be organized among them for good work, for practlco In bodily and mental exercises, and for the upbuilding of a sentiment for civic Integrity. There seems to bo here a field ripe for effort, and for tho expenditure, expendi-ture, of a little money wisely. The effort and the money could work a regeneration of matters and ambitions ambi-tions among the boys of this city. There Is no doubt whatever but they would prefer the course of light to the course of darkness if the way wero opened to them. It Is something well worth trying; try-ing; the money and the available effort are both here in abundance; the need is to bring them to bear In the direction In which there Is sore need of them. |