Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-08-10
OBJ 5aiIp SPY,
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1854.
sln,e Reform sehool fer Girls.

DSDA aOoOSA Tvs $500
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State Reform School for Girls.
On the 18th day of April last, the legisla-
ture of Massachusetts, passed resolve appro-
priating $50, 900 for the establishment of
State Reform School for girls provided that
an equal sum should be raised for the same
purpose, by the public, within six months
from the passage of the resolve.
The friends of State Reform School for
girls, have been making active exertions to
raise the stipulated sum within the specified
time, and they have, we believe, been, thus
far, most successful. In Boston, $4,000 have
been subscribed towards the fund, andi other
places liberal donations have been, presented
by the benevolent. The period to which the
collection of the subscriptions is restricted, by
the resolve Of the legislature, expires on the
18th of October next; so that those who de-
sire to see an institution for girls established,
similar to the State Reform School for boys,
at Westboro, must have the whole sum of
$4,000 completed in two months.
We can safely say, without the risk of being
charged with vanity, that Massachusetts, in
anguTsts 81 IL Fl1iBIs az criminal uris
prudence, when she established the State
Reform School at Westboro'. The idea,
which had always been the cardinal one in
criminal law, was the idea Of paaishment.-
Society, when it claimed the exclusive privi-
lege of being public prosecutor and execution
err did so upon the same principle as =" the
next of kin dld in feudal times that is
upon the principle of revenge. But the
genius of republicanism and the spirit of
Christian beneyolence developed a new prin-
ciple here-the principle of reclamation. The
State ceased to present itself to the criminal
as an executioner; but appeared as severe
but generous father. The success of the
Westboro' Reform School has encouraged the
friends of similar institution for girls, to
expect similar results. We hope their most
sanguine expectations in this respect will be
realized The end which they have in view
justifes the expenditure of the proposed sum
in the contemplated experiment
B- Our neighbor of the .Egis says, that
Ucontinued disingenuousness is the only con-
sistency we ever exhibit" Now, we do not
think the .Egis does us justice in saying so.
AT least his assertion does not comport with
the concurrent testimony of his political
friends. We have often been described
"blunt, out-spoken, rude, and frank of
Speech but never before as disingenuous.
We think we have always said what we want
ed to say, in the plainest, most unequivocal
manner possible, at least our wing friends
have often complained of US for doing so.
But even if our neighbor could prove that we
have ever been disingenuous, we think he
could do so only exceptionally. The habit of
disingenuousness is monopolzed by the wings;
and we have had no chance to practice it even
if we had been inclined to do So We have
boldly and consistently opposed the Fugitive
Slave law. Have we not, neighbor? Did
you not aeqtiesee in the passage of that infer
nal law? Aye, and in the execution of it too:
We boldly and consistently spat upon, defed,
and spurned the gagging resolutions of the
Baltimore Conventions. Did you do so, neigh
Dor? Did you not crook the plant hinges of
your knees, and in silence sue for peace We
nave OpeAly anu consistently ueuOuHCeu the
Nebraska swindle, and have, with singleness
Of purpose, taken our place amongst the open
enemies of the stupendous fraud. Have you
done so? You have, it is true, talked big,
like certain Sir John Falstaf of old but
you have been as prudent as that valiant gem
deman was, when he expected to meet Hot
spurs chivalry. few disingenuous resolu-
tons are all that freedom now, expects from
you. We resolved long ago, never to clasp
hands with slavery, and we won't. We have
resolved never to put faith in wing anti-slayery
resolutions, until we see some manly, honest
upright, corresponding action. If this is dis
righteousness, neighbor .Egis, make the
most of it.
Prison REFoRM.-The subject of prison
reform is now attracting the attention Of
some of the best minds, both in this country