188 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



lives blighted by the circumstances in which the State allows them 

 to live. The situation is even gloomier than this, for we know of 

 many pauper children for whom the almshouse itself is responsible. 

 A comprehensive plan to prevent the continuance of the evils 

 I have here merely suggested is embodied in a bill which is to be 

 introduced in a few days in our State Legislature. The bill pro- 

 vides for the establishment immediately of a State bureau for 

 children as a part of the organization of the State Board of Chari- 

 ties and Corrections. It prohibits the confinement, save in excep- 

 tional cases, of children in county almshouses, and it requires this 

 bureau to receive and place in proper homes dependent and neg- 

 lected children, and thereafter to supervise them as their legal 

 guardian. This is surely a measure that should appeal not only to 

 the sympathies of all citizens, but also to their reason. The dependent 

 and neglected child, if uncared for by the State, is not only the 

 object of pity to all who know of its plight, but it is usually a burden 

 upon the public financially throughout life. To establish this bureau 

 now is trading pennies in 1913 for dollars in 1923. So I trust that 

 if this suggestion meets with your favor you will not allow it to 

 drop, but will discuss it with your friends, passing resolutions 

 recommending the establishment of the bureau in whatever socie- 

 ties you may belong to, and sending such memorials, as well as 

 personal letters, to your Representatives and Senators at Jefferson 

 City. It is only thus that they can learn of a public demand for 

 such bureau. 



THE BOY IN THE FAMILY. 



(Mrs. Anna C. Windsor. Boonville, Mo.) 



Solomon said, "Train up a child in the way he should go and 

 when he is old he will not depart from it." Catholics say, "Give 

 me a child until he is seven years of age, and do what you will, he 

 will keep the faith." If this be true, that the first seven years of 

 a child's life is the time for him to develop the habit of right living, 

 right thinking and high ideals, we parents are responsible for the 

 neglect of this important work. For in these few years our influ- 

 ence is supreme. We heal the wounded body and troubled hearts 

 with our kisses, and in our arms is perfect content and happiness. 



Every child is an idealist, every parent an idol. You have seen 

 the son of four years trying to imitate the father, or the daughter 

 trying to do the work of the mother. So we know from that that 



