Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-16
state Reform schools.

The following, from the pen Of Rev. E. G.
BRooks, o! this city, we copy from the BAN
ner. Ii is subject of much importance, aud
we commend it to the careful consideration
of our rea lers. We hope the subject may be
brought before our present Legislature, and
Reform School established in this State. We
see not why all laws should he enacted for
the punishment OF criminals, and none, or
comparatively none, ior their reformation.
BR. DREw: send you the following, ex-
trac,ed from the Portsmouth Journal, feel
ing quite sure you will publislIit. Why cam
moi our state initiate the example to which the
extract refers as having been furnished by
Massachusetts and Rhode Island Il is not,
certainly, because our communities have not
their portion OF those who need such provis-
ions TO save them from being Il curse TO
themselves and the world. 1t cannot be that
our State, with all lis wealth and abundant
resources, IS less able pecuniarly, to do such
a work of benevolcncc than our liiilc sister
Rhode Island. Massachusetts has hone her
self great credit in taking tile lead of the
world in establishing such College for neg
lecied and vicious children, and Rhode Island
considering the circumstances, has shown
herself scarcely less deserving Of credit for
following SO literally such an example. Why
cannot Maine, larger than all the rest ofNew
England and destined TO be one Of the mos,
populous and most powerful States Of our
| whole Confederacy, show herself equally
philanthropic How muck better 10 reform
the children, educating them TO be virtnous
and useful citizens, than 10 allow them to
become men, preying upon society, and TO
|. .te
10 themselves and burden TO the communi-
ty? How much better 10 prevent Than TO
punish crime? All, Br. Drew, States, as well
as fathers and mothers. have yet 10 under
stand the full significance OF those words OF
the wise man, Train up a child in the way
he should so, and when he is oil lie will not
depart from it,
But 10 the extract.
Rhode Island has provided for the esiab-
ishment of State Reform School. This is
an honorable illustration ofthe philanihrophy
of that snail State But Massachusetts was
the first to sci the example, by cslahsliinsa a
State Reform School at Wes.borougb, being,
we believe, the first school ever established in
the world, wholly designed for the support
and reformation otjuvenie offenders. This
school has been in operation about year,
members-the maximum number which the
buildings were designed TO accommodate. =
The school is located on a large farm, and
100000 is invested as permanent fund for
the general benefit Of the school.-The esti-
mated expense of supporting a boy in this
school, exclusive of the salaries of officers, is
S34 4 year, or 81 more Than one-half what
the average cost ofa State prisoner is, ac-
cording to the reports of eleven different pris
ons. The arrangements of the school allow
four hours TO instruction, six to labor, five
and a half TO moral and religious instruction,
recreation aud miscellaneous duties. and
eight and half to sleep.
Reflect upon the bene6cence Of this plan
for drying up the sources of crime by the ref
ormaton Of young offenders The public
economy-ihe interests of society are pro-
noted, while at the same time Jnvenile Of
tenders who have snned in consequence OF
bad education or perhaps no moral instruc-
ton, are snatched from destruction as brands
from the burning Instead o:being vagrants.
nusanccs, paupers or enemies through life
to the peace and happiness of society-by
means of these schools they may become up
right, industrious and useful members
With the progress OF the age. we indulge
hope that similar schools will be established
in many other States of our Union 4a
Why cannot some movement he made TO-
wards calling the attention of our Legislature
to this subject, by means Of petitions? Few
il is believed, would refuse 10 sign petition
for such an institution; and might we not
hope that such petitions, coming in from any
considerable number Of our towns, would
have effect II nothing more, they wouid
awaken thought on the subject, aud setting
the ball in motion, lead TO action by and by.
Who will interest themselves in circulating
such petitions? E.. G. b
We are glad, says the Banner, TO see 'ha'
petitions are printed and in circulation, pray
inc the Legislature Of this State 10 estapiisn
Reform School like that in Westboro Mass,
or as near the character Of that, as the wants
Of Maine will allow. Surely this is an OBJ
,ec, ,vor,hv of consideration and we hope
syerv Lo,ly will sign the petition and that the
snh;cct win engage the early attention Of the
Iegislature. The following is copy of the
nsfiriop. We insert it here, in order that
anv person WHO conours with MS may copy it
off and GO about in his neighborhood and
procure subscribers to it.
To The Senate and House Of Representatives. Of
Maine, IN Legislature assembled:
THE understanding ci,izens Of would
respectfully petition your Honorable Bodies
| 10 adopt measures for the establishment Of a
STATE REFORMED SCHOOL, after the
model of the Institution already in operation
at WEsTBoRouGH in MASSACHUSETTS, or on
some similar plan, such as shall, IN the opin..
ion Of the Legislature, best meet the wants OF
| the State