The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-12-12
For the Lansing State Republican.
RefOrmaiOry EducatiOn..NO 2.


Reformatories in Europe. In this ar
article shall give history OF the rise and pro-
gress Of the Retormatory movement ia the Unite d
States. Every important moral enterprise which
has been inaugurated in this world NAV be traced
to humble origin. The history of the Refor
mstory movement in America began in a small
way. The history runs thus: About thirty seven
years ago, Young lawyer of New York is soc-
tied TO plead the case OF young lad who had
been charged with larceny Of a Canary bird Ii
case. The FIRST point taken by the defence was.
that bird being animal "ferde ndtare,"
therefore IL could not be regarded "a property.
The next point OF the defence that if the
lad should be convicted and sent TO prison, his
prospects would be ruined for all coming time
and besides life ruined he would become a pro-
fcent in crime. The pleadiugs OF the young
lawyer were successful, and the boy was dis
charged from custody. This small incident in.
duced thought aud reflection in the mind of the
young lawyer, aud he, in council with his Honor
the Mayor OF New York, G. ID. Golden and Hugh
Maxwell EsG District Attorney, devised the
pan which has resulted in the establishment Of
this nozzle public charity. The New York House
OF Reformation was the first American Reforma-
tory, for the education and reformation of vic.
ious and criminal youth. This Institution WAS
opened in the year 1925, with seven boys in the
old United States Armory AT the present time
the Institution is located on Rindal's Island, in
the East River. opposite Harlem. la the year
1857 this School had received in all, 1857 in
mates, and OF these 5, 909 were boys, and ,s2s
were girls.
A Board of Managers consisting of thirty
members govern the Institution, of whoa Oliver
5. Strong, Esq, = President, and Andrew War
ner Secretary. The Society have also City of
fee and Clerk, Israel Russell, Esq, No. 500,
Broadway, New York The Superintendent of
the School is John ". Ketchun, Esq, formerly
one of the Judges of the Police Court of New
York This Institution OF the congresatej plan
is model one All American Rctormatories
NAV look to this School as the leader in this be-
nevolent movement-this is the mother of the
Reform Schools Of this country. Its support is
derived from tn State and City. Its name is
|" House If Refuge" 1t is constructed with a
capacity OF holding thousand inmates. There
are two Departments entirely seperate-one for
boys and the other FOR girls Strangers visiting
New York will be abundantly rewarded by any
pains or expense they may incur in visit 10 this
model Institution. The next year after the
m. in kpw Nntl MO I'm ynii.r I'm.
tuition opened in South Boston called the House
Of Reformation." This Institution was establish
ed by the Common Council of Boston, and was
located first on beautiful site overlooking the
Bay, but regret to say that the land where the
Institution was located having increased in value,
so that it was deemed advisable TO remove this
school 10 Deer Island TO be associated on the
on the one hand by poupers and on the other by
criminals thus placing "A very weak motive be.
fore the minds OF the unfortunate boys to break
away from those associations that have heretofore
bound them.
The government of the House of Reformation
is the same as that of the House of Industry
both being under the same Board OF Directors.
These Directors, eight in number, one of whom
is called the Chairman, are chosen 10y the concur
rent vote of the C0mDto. Council The Board
of Directors have their Office in the City Hail.
Up 10 the year 1857, there had been received in.
TO this Institution, one thousand nine hundred
and fifteen boys. This school has, from It's com.
nencement, been erciusiyeiy for bows.
The next Institution OF this character was
opened two years after the Boston school, in the
city Of Philadelphia, called the House If Retnge.
The government of this Institution is vested in a
President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer and
Secretary, and twenty six managers, twenty one
of whom are elected by the subscribers to the
Association, and two appointed by the Mayor
of the city of Philadelphia, and three by the
Judge of the Court OF Quarter Sessions of Phil
adelphia The support of this Institution is de-
rived from the State, City and private benevo-
ence. This School is adapted for the reception
OF boys and girls, although the separation of the
two is most carefully guarded. In the year 1850
"A Colored Department added TO the Insttu-
ton. In both of these departments, white and
colored up 20 the year 1857, six thousand and
forty six inmates had been received OF these
4, All were boys, and ,629 were girls. The Su.
perintendent OF the White Department. Is Jesse
R. &cSwecny, Esq, and of the Colored School.
Elisha Sevinny. The President OF the Board is
Thomas carp, Esq. The Secretary is Alexander
Heury-ofiice, North East corner of Arch and
Seventh streets, Philadelphia.
| Seven years after the opening OF the Phladel-
phia School, an association OF benevolent per.
sons in the city of Boston, opened a school for
the educa ton of uncomfortable and vicious
lads on Thompsons Island in Boston Bav, oppo-
site the South Boston House of Correction
This Institution owes much TO the late Genera,
Lyman, who was an early benefactor Of this no.
BILE charity. Nor were his benefactons confined
to this Institution, for when Westboro' the State
Reform School was in contemplation, General
Lyman made most boun;ful donation Of his
own means to further its object, and help on the
ReforDatory cause. Bot no sooner had General
LyInAas place in the Board OF this School beer.
vacated by death, than the mantle OF Lyman fell
on Deacon Moses Grant, and no doubt very much
if not most of the success of this noble enter
prise, TO be attributed TO the interchangeable Ia
bors Of this Phianthropic gentleman. Some
two years since, the writer spent night and por-
ton of the Sabbath on Thompson's Island and |
feel il to b. pleasure 10 bear testimony 10 the