Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-09-13

non The detention of many too young to be
dangerous, and Of others too hardened 10 be
reformed, while it has swollen the number of
inmates has weakened the discipline and
greatly impaired the efficiency of the institn.
ton. " nv -''0'''u'
III reialioh TO the character Of the boys who
were prisoners at the period of the official visit.
ana the description OF cells i'm which they were
Iohhhed' 1t needs only to be added that tile
boys were at once returned to the school in I'M
restricted communication with its pupils. and
that the cells, SO innocent in themsPlyns ,rar,
Immediately removed
Inc reflection Of the trustees upon the ac-
t y OF the courts is not, in my opinion. iusti
Heu anu arises entirely from a mistaken view
VI 'ile nature OF sentence to prison and a
commitment liiII to the school for reform
me singular action of the courts" il is
"i ~ 'ie trustees actually gives a bonus TO
I'M 'iI ooiil,liteu by an inmate of the school
ne BOY Credan, who attempted the lif. of nm
othcer, and then in revenge for corre,t;',
nred the buildings, was sentenced to throo
years Imprisonment, which was A shorter
term than lie had to serve at Westborongh y
The reason Of the sentence, doubtless was
that Credan was proper subject for the pris.
on, not at all for the Reform School; and if the
sentence had been three months, instead of
three years. it would not admit OF the compar
L
very different purpose. Whatever may il
said OF the action OF the courts, any complaint
OF the character-even by those who have a
right to make an appeal to the public against
them, is unfounded. The certainty of punish
ment is of more importance than its severity
and ! regard the greatly diminished severity
OF sentences as one Of the most gratifying re-
suits OF the recent judicial administration Of
the criminal law, directly and apprecably
tending to the decrease of crime.
The argument of the trustees against "alter.
native sentences" equally mistakes the char
acter OF the school. For the prisons the SEN
tence must be comparatively short-or the
school ITS length must be proportional TO the
special objects of the institution, and the pow.
er to transfer pupils from the school to the
prison either by virtue of an alternative SEN
tence by the courts, or by original complaint
OF the officers, is one absolutely indispensable
to its success. The assumption that the COM
mittee of the council was deceived by the boys
they examined is utterly without foundation.
They relied upon the admissions Of the super
lntendent and their own investigations, and re-
ported only what they believed to be within
their own knowledge, or confirmed by him.
Neither is it true that the executive branch
OF the government has been actuated by
feelings OF prejudice or sentiments of hostility
to the Reform School | have visited MANY
Isl.
and have never accompanied gentlemen who
were less inclined 10 critcise or censure than
the counselors who made the late official visit
to Westborough. They not only made no
Complaints, but they expressed without reser-
Vatlon their qualification with the appearance
of the school. | announced to the BOYS the
approval OF the visitors, in which [ heartily
concurred, and subsequently requested one Of
the counselors myself TO express to the officers
n rrn Ifipat a., Al
tins had occurred that we were accidentally
made acquainted with the most important and
material facts connected with the institution
and its management. l desire to make no re-
lection whatever upon the gentlemen who are
connected with the school, | differ with them
IN regard to It's management and upon as ma
ture and deliberate consideration as | have
been able to give to any subject connected
with the government of the state, | am clearly
OF opinion that there should be material mod.
ihcatlon both in the management and the spir-
1t IN which it is administered, and in concur
renee with the unanimous opinion of the coun-
ell, nominate for its consideration the gentle.
men whose names are suboned for the office
OF trustees George G.. Davis of Northbor.
ough, Carver Hotchkiss of Sheburne, Julius
A. Palmer of Boston, Henry Chickering of
PIttsteld, George w. Bentley of Worcester.
and Alden Leland of Hoston, to be trustees
OF the State Reform School at Westborough.
IN place OF Farley Hammond of Worcester,
SIMON Brown of Concord, Thomas A. Greene
OF New Bedford Josiah H. Temple of Fran
lngham, Henry w. Cushman of Bernardston.a -
anu Juusoh o. brown OF Fltchburg, removed.
NATH'L z. BANKS
In Council Sept s, 1860
the foregoing nominations were unanimous
ly confirmed.
OLIVER WARNER, Secretary.