Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-11-09
Cincinnati Correspondence.

To THE EDfToR OF The BuoLR :--One of the
most interesting and useful institutions to which
the philanthropy and enlightened legislation of
our age has given birth, has been opened near
this city the past week. refer to the CrScrN-
MATT HOUSE, OF REruoR, the main buildings Of
which are completed, and which was dedicated
to the purposes for which it was erected by ap-
propriate public services three weeks since
The building up of this institution has been
long in progress, the charter having been grant
cd early in the year 1876, but in proceeding
moro deliberately than many desired and than
the public good seemed to require, the Direct
ors have Incorporated in their plans all the lat
est Improvements, and made use Of the accum-
ulated experience of years obtained by those eE-
gagged in conducting such establishments. The
superintendent, Mr.. Rufus Hubbard, who has
had no little experience in the management Of
youth, having been for a number of years Prin-
cipal in one or our best Public Schools, has
lately made visit East on a tour of inspection,
to gain oil the information needed as to the
most successful plans for the management of
such an institution. After visiting the Houses
of Refuge and Correction in Rochester, Phila-
delphia, New York and Boston, and the Farm
School at Westborough, Mass, Mr.. Hubbard
thinks the Cincinnati buildings unsurpassed,
and altogether the best in their construction
and convenicnces for the ends in viow, of any
he has seen.
The Cincinnati House Of Refuge is situated
on the Colcrain Turnpike, about one mile North
of the city limits, and from two and a-half TO
three miles from the Mayors Office. 1t is near
Camp Washington, where the late State Fair
was held, the Miami Canal bordering the
grounds on the Northeast. The whole tract
contains nearly ten acres, and was bought for
the sum of S7,s96. OF the 43O,4 square feet
comprised in this lot, 100000 are enclosed with
stone wall IL feet high and averaging l-2
feet thick. The remaining 10000 feet, lying
between the walls and the turnpike, will be or
namented with trees and shrubbcry, and used as
pleasure grounds.
need not 90 into minute details as to tho di-
mcnsions of the various buildings, but merely
remark that there are in all over $50 rooms, in
Guiding dormitories, all of which are to be
warmed by steam, and lighted with gas made
in the establishment. The apartments for the
| Superintendent, Matron, and Directors the
rooms for bathing, cooking, washing, &c., arc
all finished in the highest style of comfort and
convenience. The entire cost of the buildings
and fixtures will be about 100000. AS regards
extent, architectural designs and convenience
they are admirably planned and as all who
have taken view Of them can testify present
outwardly most substantial and imposing ap-
pcarancc. Their distance from the road Is Just
enough to strike the eye with good effect.
The subjects of the House of Refuge are males
under l6, and females under IA years Of age
: to be sentenced by the Court of Common Pleas,
the Mayor of the City, and Justices of the
Peace. In cases where Magistrate makes a
commitment appeal is moved to tho Court.
The Trustees of the township, and those of
/ Fulton, Storrs, and Mill Creek Immediately ad-
joining, have also the right of sending those un-
der the above ages whom they consider proper
subjects, upon the representations of their pa
rents or guardians. When once within the in
stitution the inmates are taken entirely from
the control Of their parents, and can only be
dismissed at the discretion of the Board of Di-
rectors. This Board consists of nine persons,
of whom .fee are appointed by the City Coun-
Gil, tico by the County Court, and t,oo by the
private contributors of five dollars annually, OF
fifty dollars at one time.
The time of the inmates is to be employed
chiefly. in school and learning trades, such
branches of work being taught them as will be
likely to prove of most service to them in fu-
turc life. In this institution the reformation Of
the young delinquent is the grand design. to cf-
feet which moral and religious principles arc Ia
be inculsatcd, and privileges and rewards offer
cd as encouragements to good conduct. And
yet punishment in certain cases is not to be lost
perceive list of privations which are to be en-
forced, of various grades, according to the ex-
tent of disobedicnce to the requirements of tho
establishment These consist Of, "deprivatior
of play and exercise. ."-"living on bread and
water, ,"-confnemen in a solitary room," Sc
The confinement in such building in the frs
place may be considered as punishment, tho
not attended with the odium which is always
attached to a sentence to tho State or County
prison.
Such arc tho main features of this much
needed and benefccnt institution, and it is
matter for congratulaton thet at length it il
ready to go into operation. 1t starts with eve
ry promise Of success, and will certainly no
lack material with which to make a fair expcri
ment. The large number of idle and vicious
lads to be seen at all times in the streets of the
City has long been an increasing evil Tht
Mayor has such brought before him almost dai
ly and hcsitatcs to send them to the county jai
heretofore the only place for thom) where they
are thrown in among hardened offenders, olde
than themselves, are not made to work, ant
come out in almost every instance moro deprav
| ad than xyhan thav auforad For fha aan,o ron