State Control of Charities and Corrections 37 



XII 



MORAL OBLIGATION OF THE STATE TO CONTROL AND SUPERVISE 



CHARITIES 



Some have argued that the onl}' grounds upon which the state 

 engages in charities and correction is self-protection. It is gen- 

 erally accepted that this is true as far as the treatment of the 

 criminal is concerned. Those who advocate this view afBrm that 

 self-protection is the only reason for state action in charities and 

 correction and that no other element can possibly enter for con- 

 sideration. This seems to be a narrow and selfish view. Even 

 in the punishment of criminals it is now recognized that self- 

 protection is not the only purpose. Modern philanthropists are 

 generally agreed that the reformation of the prisoner is the chief 

 object. To claim that self-protection is the only object in pun- 

 ishment of crime is repellant to the better feelings and judg"ments 

 consciously existing in our modern civilization. 



It has also been argued that the state cares for the insane, 

 feeble-minded, epileptics, cases of tuberculosis and of other forms 

 of sickness, wholly on the grounds of self-protection. There is 

 an element of truth in this, and it may be said to be a part of the 

 truth. But in relieving distress, in ministering tO' those who are 

 sick either in body or mind, and in guiding the steps of the erring 

 to good citizenship modern states are conscious of a higher mo- 

 tive than mere self-protection. The state is conscious of a 

 high moral obligation, of duty. It is the same kind of moral 

 obligation as that which is recognized in the matter of education. 

 Not many years ago the work of education was conducted by 

 private enterprise ; now the state manages our splendid public 

 school system. 



In England many private schools were closed by the public 

 authorities and the property caused to revert to the government, 

 because of the inefficiency and harmful influences of such schools. 

 It was right to close them. Upon the same grounds the govern- 

 ment of France has for more than two years past closed on the 

 average one private school per week. 



393 



