The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-12-15

University, drawn up by Mr.. Pomeroy, of the
Board OF Trustees.
The Senate Chamber and Hall OF Repre-
sentatives are much altered and improved by
galleries, to give room on the main floors
for members added by the last apportion-
ment bill. Mr.. Sells has shown great taste
and economy in the changes, which he is GO
ing to continue, by not Jurnishing gold pens
for the members Of the Assembly. Fl.
Fer the Gate City.
state keform schssIs.
The'subiecs Of the State Reform Schools is
engaging the attention OF the wise, the hu-
name and the philanshropic portion Of soci.
ETY., not only in the United States butthrough-
out the civilized world. Germany, France,
England, Scotland, and many others that we
might name, have been many years expert.
menting In this direction, and have succeeded
in demonstrating to the world that very
large majority Of those youths that, by the
commission of crime, we're adjudged ct sub
jects for the prison, can not only be reformed,
but made industrious, virsuous, trustw orthy
mombers of society. The prison Ssgrodss
| and ruins, but does not reform. When the
term Of confinement expires, the young CON.
vi,t is sent forth to be dangerous and de-
strucsive depredatcr upon society so long as
he shall live. BUT in State Reform Schools
the young man or boy is not dsgs0ded but
reformed. Indolsnoe is thrown OF and hab-
its Of industry acquired; vicious principles
are exchanged for virtuous onea; falsehood
and deception are supercsded by an infexi-
/ bic regard for truth and honesty. Out Of
| the thousands TINT have been incarcerated in
| our prisons from time to time, We cannot
now cay that any have been reformed by
their punishment, while on the other hand,
| by our State Reform Schools, . proportion
ranging from 60 to 80 per cent. Of the very
worst class Of offenders are thoroughly re-
formed. One Of the principal civil engineers
Of the State Of New York is graduate of 9
State Reform School.
1t il fact worthy of attention that many
Of our most eminent men were, in the days
of their boyhood, very wicked, prohigats and
viciously inclined, but fortunately escaped the
punishment which overtakes those less for.
sunate than themselves. The prudent, OBJ
serving humanist will not readily cast aside
and pronounce hopelessly lost the young
man merely because he has for the time i'm
bibed habits Of vice, but viii, BY appropriate
means properly applied, produce radical
cure and permanent reformation.
Seeing that tho proHigate and vile could
be reformed, and that as yet no means Of
reformation existed among US, the various
States, in their individual capacities, estab-
lished schools for moral reform, and at this
time majority of the States have State Re-
form Schools, Houses Of Refuge, Schools for
Juvenile Reform, &c., &C., and noble ties.
timony they bear Of their power to redeem
those who, seemingly, are doomed to destruc.
ton. The TRUSTEES of the State Reform
School at Westborough, Mass, state: sit ID
confidently believed that the most profitable
investment made by our commonwealth il
tho money invested in our State Reform
Schools" But while other States are trans
forming their criminals into honest, indus
trious citizens, Itwa il shutting up her juve
nile delinquents in her State prison and ap
propriating funds for their support, Will
being degraded and forever ruined. Is it no
time that We look to this matter, and BE-
, whether from our sparoe population We hav
: sons that We can spare either for the hang
man or the PRISON. Would it not be bette
that we follow the axAuple OF the olde
/ States and proceed at onoe to the establish
/. msnt Of such a institution? But is such
institution required in IoWa2 BY your per
mission, Mr.. Editor, will answer this laa
I. question Ia another article. -
. "Thsy are the most unsartainest varmin,
q in Nil creation, and reckon thar not mor'
. half human; FOR you never seed human
3 aftsf you'd fed and treated him 70 the bel
r 6xins in your lodge, jist turn round and ste,
!, all your horses, or any other thing he coul
p lay his hands on. No, not adEackly. II
n would feel kinder grateful, and ask you (
spread . blanket in his lodge Of Won eve
passed that sway. But the lnjnn he dom
Q care shucks for You, and il ready TO do 20
= :. leap q z..sSaiss 80 soon 40 nc quits you
: feed. No, Caps" he continued, "it's nt
! the right way to give um presents TO bu
;: peace; but ef war government Of these Va
United States, I'll tell you what I'D do. l.
Q invite um oil to big feast, and make q,
9 blisve l wanted to have . big talk and 4
q soon - got I'm oil together, I'D pitch |
y and scalp about half Of nm, and then 'sothe
half would be mighty glad to make peac
I; that would stick. THAT'S the way I'D MAX