Fifteen “ “ 80 Sixteen “ “ 56 “My opinion is, that of the whole number, from eight to nine hundred (from neglect and their bad habits) are not fit to enter any of our present schools. “From the best information which I can obtain, I am satisfied that the whole number in the City at the present time, (including the above number,) is not less than fifteen hundred of the same class as those described. “And I earnestly call your attention to them, and the necessity of providing some means to have these children properly brought up, either at public or private expense; for I am satisfied that it will cost the State and City more for Police, Courts and Prisons, if they are suffered to go at large, than it would, to take them now, maintain them and make them useful citizens. “The State Reform School at Westborough, will be a great benefit. Out of fifty-eight boys that have been sent there, thirty-four have gone from this City. But I am of opinion that the law is defective that waits until the child ‘_shall be convicted of any offence known to the Laws of this Commonwealth and punishable by imprisonment_’ before he can be sent there. “Very few parents are willing to complain of and testify to the bad conduct of their children, knowing that such testimony will deprive them of their services. “I am satisfied that the system heretofore pursued by the City Government of licensing minors to sell papers, and other small articles, is an injury to them. “During the year 1846, out of 112 minors arrested for larceny, and carried before the Courts, 46 were news-boys. During the year 1847, out of 112 minors, 58 were news-boys. “During the year 1847, out of 30 licensed, six were brought in for larceny during one week. “There is evidently a great increase of crime among minors. The Police books show that the number arrested and brought in, is more than one hundred each quarter. “The following extract is from the City School Report for the year 1847. “‘Does the instruction provided by the City reach all those persons for whom it is intended? This question suggests itself to every one who observes the apparently great number of children, at large, in school hours, in almost every part of the City.