That  society  shirks  the  duty  it  owes  to  illegitimate  children
is  patent  to  every  thinking  mind.  The  State  is  in  duty  bound  to
stand  in  loco  parentis  to  the  illegitimate  child.  How  does  it  fulfil
its  obligation?  Bastardy  is  made  a  quasi-criminal  offence,  that
can  be  "squared"  for  a  stipulated  sum  of  money.  This  sum  is
based  upon  the  presumed  necessities  of  the  child.  The  reputed
father  is  placed  under  bond  to  pay  into  court  for  the  support  of


372  THE  DISEASES   OF  SOCIETY

the  child  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  first  year,  and  fifty  dollars
for  each  subsequent  year  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  Should  he
wish  to  do  so,  he  may  compromise  and  pay  four  hundred  dollars
in  full  settlement.  This  settlement  may  be  made  with  the
woman  out  of  court,  and  absolves  the  man  from  all  future  obli-
gations. Society  is  also  absolved  from  all  further  responsibility,
and,  with  its  usual  asininity,  fancies  that  all  bills  are  paid.  So
far,  Illinois.
