JUSTICE FOR THOSE "IN STATU PUPILLARI." [To THE EDITOR OP
THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I read with much interest the article under above heading in your issue of May 10th. It is undoubtedly the duty of a headmaster to form the characters of the boys entrusted to his care, and I consider that he shirks that duty if he expels a boy even guilty of the serious offence of stealing, if he does not, in the first instance, do his utmost to correct him. And I would suggest that the same paternal leniency ought to be exercised by business men in the case of a young offender. Give him advice and a chance rather than ruin him for the rest of his life by branding him in a court of law. I formerly had a large staff of employees under my orders and
had to deal with two cases of petty thefts by young men. In the first instance I made the offender sign a declaration acknowledging the theft, gave him the necessary advice, and allowed him to resign. He never forgot his disgrace and eventually became secretary to a Government official. In the second case I took a special interest in the young man and retained his services. He was ever after the moat faithful and trusted servant I had. What would have become of these young men had they been prosecuted in the ordinary way ?— I am, Sir, &c.,
E. A. P.
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