The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-27

the erection of the buid gs, preparation of
the grounds, &c, the original expenditure was
S1l3 ss4. which amouA, has been considera
bly, increased by several important additions
and Improvements.
This is now considered one of the most
commodions and best arranged institutions of
the kind in our country. 1t is tieride.lly the /
best managed of unv have ever visited
This House of Refuge, or r form s .hooI
is a Home for incorrigible and vicious c.,iIdreu
OF both sexes where they may he KEEP, ssfe |
from temptation and ednrated in habits of in
dustry and morality, and be started upon such
a fnture pathway of life as shall render their
existence a blessing, both to themselves and
the world. A more noble and Christian labor
has never engaged the attention of men. and
we are glad to know that similar institutions
are established 10 almost every city of the
Union. u
The Pittsburgh Honse has some distinctive
features which add greatly to lis efficiency and
may be considered as almost exclusively be-
longing to the system of management adopted
bv THos. g. RUrHERFoRD. the able Superin-
tendent Mr.. r. formerly held the same po
sition in the Philadelphia House of Refuge
By natural endowments, aud educational at
tainments he is remarkably qualified to
discharge the difficult duties of such an Office
He combines the sterner qualities of the rigid
disciplinaran with the kind feelings of parental
regard and affection, His plan for effecling
the reformation of the children, embraces the
congregated and family systems. While pa
rade and formality are almost entirely dis
pensed with. the most perfect order and
obedience is exacted, and observed.
In going through the various apartments OF
the building, l was impressed with the idea
that cleanliness there was really regarded as
the next thing to godliness' The Parlors
Halls, Sleeping Rooms, and even the Work
Shops, had tidiness about them truly pleas.
ant to look upon, and which. in contrast with
the dirt and filth of their previous surround
Iings, must exert a good irhuerce upon the
minds of the youthful inmates. m
The Chapel room is large and comfortable
airy and beautiful; the lower floor is occupied
ing services are held here through the week
and two services on the Sabbath. One ser
mon is preached every Sunday, alternately by
the clergyrnen of Pittsburgh. All the other
h, fba ipfo p6ani
and Teachers While these children are be
ing addressed they give their perfect and nn
divided attention TO the speaker To fhi'
respect they present q commendable CONTRAST
to many older children in other congregations
They are addressed; generally, in the conver
sational style. in plain, simple language adapt
ed to their understandings, and it is curious
and interesting study, to sit there and watch
their faces while they are listening to the
speaker. No whisperings. no sounds of shnf-
fling feet upon the floor are heard, but still
ness that may be felt reigns throughout the
house; they lean forward eager to catch every
word, and you see the lights and shades Of
thought fit over their conntenances, according
to their varied mental appreciation, or the
emotions designed to be awakened.
1t is an interesting though a sad sight to
the humane heart this congregation of little
INTERCHANGEABLE children of parental neglect
and of social wrongs They do not look like
other children-they are not like other chill
dren. They wear perpetual scowl and looE
like an assembly of old heads upon young
shoulders. Their associations have been sucf
as to intensity their passions. and give them {
precocious intellect and an untimely age in thu
orst possible direction. Now, to counterac
the evil habits and dispositions of these chill
dren, it is only necessary that their better
natures should be intensified to an eqnal de
gree with their bad propensities. and this, J
am happy to believe is being effecually dope
by Mr. Rutherford's admirable system of labol
and recreation. The mechanic shops, and thu
large play grounds, and the school rooms, keel
their minds healtbfnlly employed, and so ac
custom them to industry and right doing, that
when bound out to different trades, bnt few o
them relapse into their former practices th.
IdTE0 IdJOIiIf bcliS III thCh hotCi
mination 10 become honest and useful mel
and women in the world ri.
This Reform School, or House of Refuge
is an honor to PENNSYLVANIA, and a noble in
dication of the humanitarian progress of thu
age.
Friend Hall, if I have taken too mucl
space in your columns. in speaking of th
above Institution, nv apology lies in the sub
ject ITSELF for, ho,c best to pre0ent crime is
great problem among philanthropists, and on
which these Houses of, Refuge purpose. in
measure, practically and satisfactorily to solve
IF 1 can make them Of any interest to YOU
and your readers, I will send you occasions
letters regarding this great metropolis O
America Truly yours, II. T.
Our Next Governor. ---.
The selection of Hon. VIM. Dennison, Jr
as the candidate for Chief Magistrate o
Ohio will inspire the Republican masses will
the proper enthusiasm to make an active cam
. paign, and secure a successful issue. He i
81 liu the prime of manhood; of manners anc
d;,,o,;t;on ~ moka friande and hind them n