New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-25
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
REFORM SCHOOLS DISCIPLINE
~& nsE. y. r-bxas

r. n. Es,rer II The ~ T'sxas
SIR, In an article on Refounstory Discipline, n ThS
TRIBrsr Of MAY %, given an interesting accounS
Of the Chicago Reform School, under the management
Of its present Superintendent Mr. Nichols. Any M"
proyement in the government Of efcrmstory ins,itw.
,ors is subject Of interest TO many Of yoar resders.
MANY with us will rejoice in Mr. Niceols's success,
and bid him God speed in bis glorious work. Bat
in the Article referred to incorrect statements sra
made:
The CAiesro Reform School ns,roas having spphsd
eresN,ie APPEAL m tie sshss q homer the saulisa
s subjects; AL tie world Knows that wonderful eae' -
,ietSS,s by tie tsS spycaiios is pnsps NJ Nichols.
the supsrnaeI Of A CAesso school has the eFsd NV,
ing initiated IL IA AlsEio~'
The 6nt Introduction Of the grade system in tsiS
country was made by wiIiam R. Lincoln, ESQ., at taa
Marlborough Reform School, 1885, with this difference,
tha, the government at Mct,rai appeals to the mill.
,sry spirit 80 powerful in the French nation-ihd
plan adopted BY Mr. Lincoln. 10 the solse OF night and
wrong 80 strong in the American heart.
The GRADE system is described fellows 10 the re.
prt subu tilted to the Massachusetts Legislature &c
the Vestborough School for the year ending New. I'd,
ls49:
- s,sse When boy ,uirr. he n.titsiion be placed 10
The Ad sde e hi. csDdSfi i bad .sT .a%'. . &c de-
time he promoted % The .sS.nd aud Should As VA s
his
w ,i.a b,vr s1bdi,u Of the kr.t grade, called ,A1
S,. Of TIM 'nf the . FST s.p.
from cher Sc ows and ct T % , =. =, a
ecctu. progress, condned 20 their uers standing EN-
rey ard arr spilled 70 Their conduct not Sn ARM the
Thi. view, is sju one as places tne trt
wSdS % b. NE ess manhood and which actually ,So
20. in form society. Upon most boys has n"ss
leads them vace character this plan h grade n9mses
show. character and standing that every boy san' IN As
Neither does Mr.. Nichols claim to have iutrodsceJ
this stem for in his frst report be says Lake othec
schools similar in their objects aud designs We haVS
established the grade system to enable the mora
easily to secure obedience and reformation IN tha
"itmatCs'
The Maine State Reform School under charge IL
Mr. Lucon in which the grade system Is successfully
carried out has been long enough operation to judge
Of its effects The Supernt ndeut reports par cene
of the boys discharged doirg we'll most OF thens
being indentured to farmers and mechsnies-a mrgrr
per eenage than reported by any other institution iu
the country. -
As 10 the liberty allowed these boys ii is sufficient
to say that at the present time there are more than
HUNDRED engaged in farming, the majority scatereS
over the large grounds under the direction OF two
officers part of this number are employed by ms
neigbborpg farmers leaving the institution On Monday
morning returning on Saturday night, at the close ~
their week work They 60 and come uuaccompa-
Med the only power over them being their word "
honor that they will not escape. Quite large num-
bei often VIII the city, not only III WI" uhy out " sn
evening TO attend lectures and other suitable places Ut
amusement These in the higher grades are occasions
ally permitted to visit their friends scattered over the
State and in no have they failed o return nj tbs
appointed time One example Of perseverance In re-.
aeemirg pledge of this kind is worthy Of mentons
boy was allowed TO visit his parents who reeide ovec
sixty miles from the school. He was to return ON
specified day, by the steamer. The day arrived for
his return; he went to the wharf to embark, aud
found his surprise, that the boat had just le. lid
was so earnest 10 keep his pledge that he ran dis
lance Of two miles, TO the steamers next stopping
place and succeeded in reaching the boat before It
got away from the landing lie said ne had resolves
that he should not succeed in overtakng the boat
he would Immediately start foot for the school, and
thus accomplish what he could under the circuui.
stances.
Within the past six weeks a boy has been seat W
NnssachpsAi.s 10 tnvr t~o hundred miles distant.
Superints ndsnt 81, .. a.. A.
As 10 escapes, the Chicago School reports, Tor the
6rt eleven months six, since that thne number un-
known During al this time with our uiue, inc nsu' s
h. oi BOYS, the Maine State Reform School has iose