The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-01-12


greements ofjures, asd, not untrequently, in the
scquittal of persons charged with capital offen-
ces, when they would probably have been con-
victed, it the penalty, following conviction, had
been less severe. | am satisfied, that such
change in existing laws will make only murder
in the first degree punishable with death, and
subject the other crimes, now made capital, to
Imprisonment Tor Ions term of years, or for lite,
would meet with the public appreciation, lead to
the more certain punishment OF crimes, and in
crease the safety Of the community
On the first day of November last, the buildings
OF the State Refoam School" at Westborough, in
the County of Worcester, were "prepared and
ready for occupancy" Since they were opened
twenty three boys have been received, and plac-
ed under the care Of the Superintendent Those
buildings are erected on farm containing about
two hundred acres of-vauable land, which was
purchased for the purpose by the money OF some
generous and unknown donor They are tasteful
in their style of architecture, we'll and perman-
emily constructed. When finished, there will be
room Tor threehundred boys; at present. but one
hundred can be accommodated. Standing upon
pleasant eminence, they overlook beautiful
lake, which is embraced within the limits of the
farm. The object of this noble institution is en-
tirely for the instruction aud reformation OF juve
nile offenders. So fa as | am informed III is the
first institution upon this continent, established
exclusively by state, for the reclamation OF its
erring Children.
By the provisions of the law under which this
school has been established. when any boy
under The age of sixteen years, shall be convict
ed OF any offence known to the laws OF this Com
monweath, and punishable by Imprisonment,
other than such may be punished by imprlson-
ment Tor life, the court, or justice, as the case
may be, before whom such conviction shall be
had, may, at their discretion, sentence such boy
to the State Reform School, or to such punish
ment as is now provided by law for the Of
fence; and, it TIE sentence shall be to the State
Reform School then it shall be in the alternative
to the State Reform School, to such punish
ment as would have been awarded, if this act
had not been passed" The trustees OF the school
may either refuse to receive boy sent there
uLder sentence OF the court, latter he has been
received for causes set forth in the act order him
to be committed to prison according to the terms
OF the alternative sentence OF the court. "The
trustees are also empowered to bind out any boys
committed to their charge, for any time durlny
the period for which they shall have been COM
mtted, as apprentices or servants, to any nhabi-
tants of this Commonwealth 'sAnd whenever
any boy shall be discharged, by the expiration of
his term OF commitment, or as reformed, or as
having arrived at the age OF twenty-one years
such discharge shall be full ana complete re-
lease from all penalties and disabilities, which
may have been created by his sentence" sit is
made the duty of 'sthe trustees to cause the boys
under their charge to be instructed in piety and
morality, and in such branches of useful knowI-
edge as shall be adapted to their age and capacI-
ty; 'they shall also instruct them in some regu-
lar coursr OF labor, either mechanical manutact-
uring, agricultural or horticultural also, sssuch
other arts and trades as may seem to them best
adapted to the reformation, amendment,
and future benefit OF the boys''
Before the passage OF this law, stamped with
the impress OF beneyolence, the courts, before
whom boys OF the most tender age were convict
ed OF crimes, were compelled to send them either
to prison, or to the House OF Correction, in either
case, to be further corrupteds " coming in con-
tact with men familiar with atrocities and hard.
ened in guilt BY the provisions of this law, hui
manity has opened the door by which the magis.
trae may enable those infant offenders to escape
from utter ruin Many of these boys belong to
families, whose homes the gloomy abodes of
dissipation, vice, and impurity, and to parents, in
whose bosoms intemperance and crime have
choked the voice of nature. Others, without pa
rents, Or homes, spend their days in the midst of
temptations, and their nights in prowng about
the lanes and Streets or in the commission Of pet
ty offences, which. if not detected and punished
VIII be the sure precursors of more aggravated
transgressions. From these hot-beds of sin, in
which all their young faculties have been forced
to an unnatural development for evil, these mis-
cradle children are rescued by the sentence of
the courts, transferred to the nursery of insruc.
ton, industry, and virtue, placed under the dsci-
pine and care OF faithful and kind teachers at the
expiration of their time of commitment, to go out
without the legal stamp OF guilt upon them, and,
in the language of the law which thus deals with
them, &c with the opportunity of becoming nteIi-
gent, moral, useful, and happy citizens of this
Commonwealth BY the blessing OF Heaven,
may this experiment of the Commonwealth, TO
reform and benefit these juvenile delinquents, be
successful! That liberal benefactor, whose mu-
ni6cent charity, of more than twenty two thou
sand dollars, has so eminently contributed to the
establishment OF this institution is entitled to, and
will receive, the thanks OF his fellow citizens.
and the lasting gratitude OF those who will reap
the fruits OF his benefacon.
The cause of education and common schools.
is steadily advancing, with the other pursuits and
interests the Commonwealth. The importance
and magnitude of this cannot be overraed Sad.
indeed, would be the day, when the busy, tenn
ing population of Massachusetts should net ect
the moral and intellectual education of their chill
dfen, and when school houses and churches shall
cease to be the objects OF their affection and sol
citude. AS well might the husbandman, in omen.
ing spring, put up his fences, repair and paint
his buildings, set out his shade trees, and orna.