The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-02-13
determinations which had been formed in the re.

determinations which had been formed in the re.
formatory, while the same lad. if he was remov.
ed to the rural districts placed on farm, his old
associations broken up and new ones formed,
few would Dc the cases under such circumstances
that society would not reap the benefit OF the
labor Of an honest and industrious citizens
But it often occurs that in our large cities that
sufficient quantity of land cannot be obtained,
on account OF the high rate at which it is held,
sufficient to employ the inmates, though even in
these cases, these large institutions had better
dispose of their city property and remove out
from the city limits and its corrupting influence
a few miles, where the pure breeses Of heaven
blow /; such removals would be attended with
great advantage in every way, especially a
means of preparing these inmates to go out to
our wide western domain and assist in the cult
walton of the broad acres Of rich coil which to
day are without occupants. But in case it is
deemed impracticable To remove these institu-
tricts, then the next best kind Of labor is to be
chosen for the training of the inmate in industri
al pursuits. In making choice of this labor for
the child, We should mol lose sigh, of the great
fact that such employment should possess har
mony with the constitution and disposition of the
operative.
As is stated in the 4th Annual Report Of the
Officers Of the Michigan State Reform School
the next kind Of labor TO be chosen TO Agricul
tural, is Mechanical Here again." the Re
port goes on TO say,) "there is choice to the
mechanical labor for Reiormatories Some bran
ches of mechanical labor as retormatory agencie.
are greatly to be preferred 10 Others. For ex
ample, take that kind where machinery is used
and where there is no machinery, and the forme
is greatly TO be preferred 10 the latter nor il
the reason of this preference groundless for i
has its foundation in the peculiar constitution .
boy hood. Boys are fond OF noise and hustle
The more stir and noise the better pleased IN,
child" Thus, the boy trained amid spindles
| wheels, belts. steam, the din of hammer, buzz O
saws, the puff of steam, does not look upon la
Dor a drudgery. tax on pleasure, but a
| the realization of pleasure itself. Far differen
is it with the boy who is required to sit on th'
shoemakers bench, or on the tailors board, 70
the enthusiasm which machinery furnishes being
wanting, of which being thus deprived. interes
in labor flags aud that which under the magic
power of steam became in the other case al
agreeable past time, now becomes tiresome ant
burdensOme.
Labor, then, in order to its being reformatory
must be regarded by the operative as looking t,
wards the accomplishment Of a useful end, mus
be in harmony with the disposition and charac
Ger of the child 10 be reformed.
Thus wherever these conditions of labor ar.
regarded, industrial habits are easily formed, ant
the love of labor for its sake iDfused into the
mind, and the evil habits attendent upon idle
ness are eradicattd. thus labor or industrial train
ing under the limitations referred to becomes one
of the moset effective OF corrective appliance.
for the reformation of Maynard youth
In my next article will endeavor to show how
Agricultural labor in Reformatory can be uset
the most advantageously.
| HUMANITAS.
| Lansing Feb 9. 1861.