Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-10-19
Juvenile Criminals.

special force to the citizens of our state
at this time, what shall be done with
juvenile offenders
The other states have sought to solve
the question by Reform Schools. In
one state the young who are convicted
Of offences are usually, believe, either
left to plunge still deeper into crime
with simple fine or reprimand or are
sentenced for a short term to the county
Jail, whence, after their sentences expire,
they are allowed to go back to their
previous homes rather hardened and
fitted tG do more evil than improved or
intimdated.
Now, we profess to be philanthropic
and christian state, and in many respects
we stand forth prominently in moral
and Intelligent manhood, but what have
we done End what are we prepared to do,
to prevent the increase of vicious con-
duct on the part of juvenile offenders
The state certainly has q responsible
ity in this respect, for if it will not or
does not, take into custody and train to
industrious, honest habits, the evil-in-
clined and criminal youth among US, it
will have these youth to provide for
when they get to be older criminals as
prisoners of state.
Is it possible that our people do not
appreciate the spirit of those noble
charities which, in the other states,
have erected and endowed institutions
of reform, and applied to them the best
talent of their citizens ? 1t may be that
all that an ardent philanthropist might
desire but if they have accomplished
one half that they have undertaken,
have they not justified their existence ?
and are they not worthy of support
1t is not to be expected that they can
reform and make thoroughly moral
citizens of all their inmates. If they
| prevent them from getting worse than
they were, they do the community a
valuable positive service and that
many Of the young are actually saved by
them from deeper vice and misery, must
! be a cause of grateful reflection to all
who feel welfare in the interest of man
kind.
propose in another letter, if allowed
| the privilege, to show the readers of the
| HERALD what has been done and can be
| done by these institutions. At this time
desire only to bespeak attention to the
subject, and urge the necessity Of such
an institution among US.
Our state is not so large, nor so pop
ulous but that an institution Of moder-
ate cost, might be made to serve most
benefcent purpose. 1t is not wise it is
not right or polite TO send boys to the
county Jail, or state penitentlary fol
many of the crimes for which boys of II
to Is are convicted and sent there, Oh
might and would be convicted if there
were any other place to put them.
1t is true, as matter of fact in thi
town, if not in many other towns CT TN
state, that boys have been allowed t.
commit offences against the law ant
order time and time again, who, had w
a Reform School, would have beel
placed under its safeguard, and laugh
virsuous lessons and honest industriou
habits.
Now, submit it to the good peopl
OF our county and state, ought we no
to do something in this work of re
form ?
As preliminary step, let the Legisla
ture make an appropriation and appoln
a commission to collect facts and infol
nation in the several counties an
towns, concerning the number an
, character of criminals and the sentence
: which have been passed upon them, an
suffered by them. The report of such
commission would be of service in man
ways to the wise and judicious trea
ment Of crime and criminals in OF
midst.
, AN. A.
Fairhaven, Oct. 18th, 1865.
S.-Since the above was written,
E observe with pleasure that Gov. Di
r bingham has proposed this subject in hi
: message to the Legislature, and that
8 has been referred to special Commits
| In the Senate for action. Mr. Dorr, {