Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-06-25
A visitio the Reform School.

Being in Portland few days since. We
,trollcd out TO westbrcok, In company with
our friends Forbes and Thurs,on, Of the
rempsranc, Journal. 10 the Reform School.
This institution i located about four mile.
out from the city, and in full view from
Bramhall HILL. The building is Of brick,
and affords accommodations for work.rooms.
drmitoric-. dining. kitchen and lauu'
dry, with three neat schOol.rooms and n
chapel. AZ the time Of our ,i'i, there were
two hundred ard ,wenty.iour boys register.
Cd. The building is designed to contain
two hundred and ffy.eisht.
Besides the number who are employed on
the farm. there are twelve engaged in brick
making, which !. the only outdoor business
gagged in. Within doors a number Of
boy. are required in the kitchen and laundry,
and to keep the institution in order. Tho
Others are employed in making and repair
ing clothes for the pupils, maxim. shoes.
aud bo,tomlng cane ga, chairs. The shoes
arr made on contract, tor Dr. Somcs. Esq.
Of B,ddcford, who Piysa stipulated sum
Per lay Tor the labor. employing men tn in
.,ruct and .upcriniend operations. Forty
boys are now employed IN this room, which
number is soon 10 h. increased 70 one hun
drcd. Until recently the employment, in
thi, room has bccn sewing, but 'hoe-mAk'
ing seems 10 interest them more. besides
giving them a knowledge % good business,
which they can follow after leaving the In
suiutiun. The chairs are made Tor Waiter
Cony, Portland Those boys who exhibit
bu, little mechanical genius are placed upon
the farm.
At Mi, season, the boys arr called at >
O'Clock in the morning ~ six they break
f,s,. and have until seven Tor recreation On
the ground The hour. Of labor are
from even TO ten in the morning, and three
20 six In the afternoon. The time from 10
To IL and % , i, occupied IN instruction
in the school rOom. In such branches a' they
arr capable of pursuing The boys dine At
/. and spend the time I'LL one m the play
ground After siI the boys are at liberty TO
cnyy ,hemselye. in the playground until
bed time.
The meal. are served in large dining.
room, to which they are required to march
in regular order, passing down the outside
and facing the centre, rs they pass between
the table,. \, signal they all face the
'front.' and ask blessing in concert, and in
perfect order, after which the war upon the
TODD commences in good earnest. The iood
is no, given out in raiions, as in many in.
situations, but b. placed upon the tables,
each inmate taking wha, he needs. The
bread, at supper, was made by the boy. ern.
ployed IN the kitchen, aud was lish, and
nice.
Throughout the establishment everything
has the marks OF thorough care and good
order, and had peculiarly neat ana COM
Portable appearance. Al the boys looked
cheerful and happy, and We failed to notice
anything which bad the slishtes, appear
ancs Of restraint, or that any Of the inmates
were conviets.
The farm, when the institution com.
menced, wa, eIccedlngly rough. Much has
hecn accomplished in reno,ating il, and
much needs to be done hen the means are
furnished. Friend Forbes and the Super
intenden, descan,ed learnedly upon sys-
TEN Of undertaking for the establishment,
and At we were practical farmer aud had
such land to manage, we should follow their
suggestions Immediately, II we had the
means, or as soon a. We could get the means.
At present u is not ranked as matter OF
pruit to the establishment, but rather as
aiording healthy employment to such Of
the inmates as are not fitted for other en-
ployments. This is matter which !, seems
to be for the interest Of the State to have
attended to Immediately. The narrow poll.
cy pursued by tue legislature. the past year,
must result in greatly lcssenins the useful
ness Of the institution, IL not in driving OF
the Superintendent to some place where he
will be bc,,er provided with means. This
would be great misfortune for We have eel
dom seen man more enthusiastically de-
voted to the welfare Of his charge. At the
: present time, in consequences Of small appro-
pria,ions, the affairs of the institution are
; very much erlmped, and many Improvements
almost imperatiyely necessary, are not COM
menccd, for the simple lack OF means.
We can only say, in conclusion, that We
. were very iayorably Impressed with the
whole appearance Of the institution; and
We think that the great idea Of reforming
and oleya,lng the boys, rather than punish
ing them, is admirably carried out. The
benefits Of tho institution, as making capa.
bic men, rather than hardened criminals OF
= those who are committed to IL. must DO ap-
( parent to all, and will stamp IL as ono Of
. the most humane institutions within the
: State.
Our thanks are due the Superintendent