American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-08-11
City Sights and Thoughts.
DY GRACE, GREENWOOD

7 have lately been deeply. interested by
reading the report If the Ohio State Re-
form Farm-the FIRST institution in Amer
icafounded onths European system, and
on the great principles Of confdeAce in
human natute and faith in its redeemabil-
ity. aea ea,i
The Report gives on the whole acheer-
ing account Of progress and success, though
The enterprise has had many serious aud
rexati5us obstacles TO contend with
These have arisen. not so much from the
vices, ignorance aud weakness of the boys,
these being well understooda and calculated
upon--as from the want of faith, and gen
uine, long enduring charity and philan-
Ithfopy in the -defcisnoiss whieh
were not fully anticipated by the ardent
and benevolent advocates Of The plan.
To give yoh any idea oflthe peculiar
qualities required ito fit one 10 be thor
,ougb and Efficient officer and teacher in
this institution, i must speak somewhat
at length ofiis peculiar system. and of the
character Of its inmates. The Reform
Farm is beautiful tract Of land near Lam
caster Ohio, on which several plain, and
commodious buildings have been erected,
as homes and schools for such vicious and
incorrigible boys as have hitherto beer
confined in jails, pehitentiaries and Hous
es Of Refuge, subject to the degrading and
hardening influence Of older criminals.
There is no wall about the farm. there
are no gratings TO the windows of The
tbuildings- no ponderous locks and bolti
to the doors. From the FIRST the system il
totrust the boys. even while watching
over them with faithful vigilance-to tea
thsm as unfortunate broihers, rather thai
as degraded eriminals-to rouse the man
liest and best attributes Of their natures--
to. restore their lost self respsct-to, ,inspir
sense Of honor which comes to most o
them like new soul It is impressed ol
them that they are not here "in durano
vile" but under a needful and. kindly re
sttsint4not asa punishment but as al
act ofgrace. for their good and happiness
The institution Is divided into families
over each Of which are appointed two as
} sistant officers, called "Elder Brothers.
These assistants are with the boys at a
times, having charge Of them in all things
There are alio other Elder Brothers, VIII
watch at night. nurse them in sickness
I and look after them when. in confnemen
They also lead in deyotion.rby reading th
/ Lords Prayer, night and morning, an
have charge Of what is called the "Mori
Q Trsining." The families are divided int
classes the classes into divisions -
. These divisions are marked by badges
| The highestis called the Eagle badge"
When a boy has worn this for three cor
secutive months. lie Is entitled to a di'
!. charge. ''on probation, Rewards al
given Of money, books and marks of mer
q For labcroy the allotted tasks, the boy
recisye pay, which they may spend as the
:. please. For special studiousnesS, cleanl
i, nesss, or good. manners, they receive pc
!, mission to.sit at the "table Of honor, VII
e the principal or fcommendation before q
Y whole school. When boy leaves tho il
: stitution ION probalion;" he takes wi
3 him al he has earned therein, change
linen and a small sum Of money. He
I; promised a cordial welcome should
u i wish to return and his class are perm
k ted to accompany him a little way on !
b road, to bid him q sbrotherly adieu, Son
return flung back by the great uofriend