RURAL POLICE 303 



ization of trade from some large center which is so characteristic 

 a feature of economic life to-day. 



Beyond these main centers of social life there is little in the 

 average rural district. Grange meetings, farmers' picnics, neigh- 

 borhood parties occur, but they are few and far between. The 

 great complaint of the young people in the country neighborhood 

 is "nothing to do." This gap they try to fill with sex excitement 

 and with riotous mischief that may end in larceny and burglary. 



The political unit the village as a whole should also be 

 doing some true social work. One task peculiarly appropriate 

 is the improvement of vocational opportunities. Towns and vil- 

 lages are already active along this line in the formation of boards 

 of trade and other organizations intended to build up business 

 in the town. For the farmers, greater use of cooperative methods 

 of marketing and extension of rural credits will help. 



The political unit is also responsible for its share in enacting 

 and enforcing social legislation, and civic organization is needed 

 to arouse community feeling along these lines. The evils of child 

 labor, of truancy, of drink can be cured only when the' communi- 

 ties themselves want them cured. 



Village and town boards and officials charged with the duty of 

 giving poor relief also have a direct responsibility in the matter 

 of juvenile delinquency. Lack of judgment in caring for a 

 dependent family may result in the delinquency of the neglected 

 children. The official who carries on such work as this should 

 not only realize his responsibilities, but have some adequate train- 

 ing in the principle underlying social work. 



B. BUBAL POLICE 

 RURAL POLICE 1 



CHARLES RICHMOND HENDERSON 



THE law is the law of the state. Municipal corporations have 

 no original authority to enact legislation ; their ordinances cannot 

 go beyond charter limitations. The enforcement of law, the 



* Adapted from Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social 

 Science, 40:230-233. March, 1912, 



