correspondence. Have we not here a fair beginning of a kind of study which trained persons might extend and make more useful? Science is common sense armed with the best tools, instruments, and methods. Every day knowledge, picked up in fragments by hard experience, becomes science by becoming more accurate, thorough, and complete; by tracing out all relations, causes, effects, laws, tendencies. The fact that all our successful wardens and managers have long since worked intelligently in this direction is good evidence that the time is ripe for further improvements.[1]
The studies of children in schools[2] and families shed light on the theme of this investigation. Some of these studies are conducted by physicians for hygienic reasons; as examination of teeth, eyes, ears, skin, etc. Sometimes these examinations are made by physicians, teachers, and psychologists for pedagogic purposes. They demonstrate the importance of knowing the capacity of the person who is to be taught, disciplined, and influenced.
The officials in charge of the present census are making arrangements for certain studies in this direction for statistical uses. The eminent character and knowledge of Dr. F. H. Wines is guarantee for the high value of the methods and results of this investigation, and it deserves all encouragement. But, useful as this temporary effort will be, it cannot take the place of a permanent laboratory established in each institution, and following out life-histories year after year with patient study and minute research.
The students of criminal anthropology and criminal sociology in various countries have already studied quite carefully many thousands of convicts.[3]
- ↑ Mr. Z. R. Brockway, in a recent letter, expresses this judgment: "There is not much knowledge about the criminal except the superficial and incidental knowledge of criminals had by individual legislators, courts, and court officers, who come in casual contact with criminals. The comprehensive study of the criminal class in society is of great importance, and should be initiated and carried on by the system under state direction. I am more and more impressed, having personally observed some fifty thousand prisoners, that the prison class is a class of inhabitants different, as a class, from others who do not fall into crime. One who should travel throughout the world visiting prisons of different nations and the prisoners therein would be impressed, if an intelligent observer, with the similarity of general appearance of prison populations. The distinguishing characteristics of criminals which, when observed in mass, give such a positive impression, ought to be inquired into, mapped out, and published for the information of the lawmakers and those who administer laws."
- ↑ See Francis Warner, The Study of Children and Their School Training, The Macmillan Co., 1899.
- ↑ Dr. Jules Morel contributed a valuable paper to the National Prison Association in 1896, Proceedings, pp. 279-81. A schedule of examinations of convicts is there given. G. E. Dawson offers a "Study of Youthful Degeneracy" in the Report of the U. S. Commissioner of Education, 1897-8, Vol. I, p. 1321. The board of education of Chicago has established a bureau for child study, and the reports of this
