New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-25
OPENING or THE NEW HOUSE or
REFUGE on RANDALES ISLAND.

The new ediiee Of the House of Refuge on Ran
dali Island was formally opened, yesterday with in
terestng exercises. The officers and managers of the
Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Denquents
with Gov Seymour, the City Fathers, and other
invited guests some 800 in number left the foot Of
GIand.s East River, at 10 A. NJ, and having called
at Bellevue TO receive the complement of the CON-
many arrived at RandalPs Island about IL o'clock.
Having entered the chapel, we found the children
duly seated, who, with singing commenced the exer
eses, which were as follows: Prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Adams; address by the President, Robert Kelly;
singing of an ode composed for the occasion by
LADY, address by the Hon. Hugh MAXWELL remarks
by Gov. Seymour singing by the children, who were
then specially addressed by the Rev. T. l.. Cuyler;
another song and closing with benedction by the
Chaplain of the Institution. The audience then, by
invitation, repaired to rooms below, and did JUS
tice to an excellent and abundant collston-grace
being said by the Rev. DIR. De Witt. James w.
Gerard, Esq, was then called on for a speech, aud
interested the assembly with account Of tho first
establishment Of the Institution, and tracing its pro-
gress through the the fret years Of its history. A
hslfhour then occupied in visiting the various
departments Of the main building, until p. NJ. and
the company returned highly delighted with the days
proceedings-ther complete pleasure being marred
only by the exceedingly dissgreeable rain.
Mr.. Kelly, in bis address stated that the Managers
Of the Society had thought it desirable TO reawaken
public interest in this old and cherished Institution by
a public demonstration at the opening Of the new
buildings by directing attention to what has accom-
rshed, and presenting count Of its improved
organization and means and prospects Of future use
funess. When the Society was first organized lin
1924 ard the first building opened at the old arsenal
ground, near the present Madison-squsre the CON-
muni,y took a general and deep concern in the ex.
pertinent regarding it the cbefevent Of that time.
As it was the pioneer institution of its kind ia
the whole country, it was founded upon plan
Devised by the past managers, for whom il is high
praise that their plan has not only been taken as
model for oil similar establishments, but it has not to
this day required any essential change. All the bright
a1,icipatons Of its founders and friends have been
fully realized. For thirty years it has quietly and
uninterruptedly performed its purpose, rescung
einc and guilty youth from the consequences Of sim
fu habit the panionshp Of the vicious and fin
shed education in crime. Before its establishment,
acqutta and conviction o. the juvenile offender
were attended with like disastrous consequences be-
cause, If the youth sent 10 prison he was per-
fected in the theory of crime, and in it, practice if
discharged. Ofste ears the Institution has receired
annually the average Of about 400 children Of both
sexes but tic number at present in the house i0l-
33l boys and 20 girls Is less than usuaOwing the
removal and the binoing but OF children rapidly
thsD would have otherwise been done. Whole num-
Der admitted snce the commencement, 4, 269; show
ing thSt, excepting few deaths 86s have been dis
emerged; and there is satisfactory evidence that
largo proportion Of these have been saved and re-
stored TO society to become industrious and orderly
men and wonen.
fhs Institution blends the characteristics OF a pn-
vate City and State Institutions and this mode of
management which ID strictly American invention)
has been found in practice highly economical and adj
vsntageous and is believed TO be the best that
be devised. The House Of Refuge was founded by
thirty Managers elected annually by the contributors.
1t was intended primarily for the youthful Migrants
and offenders of this City alOne bat, wi hin two
years from its opening its advantages extended
to this class Of children throughout tue State. Since