Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-08-10
REFORM SCHOOL.
PROVIDED
FOR.
Houses Of Refugs-HOmes EOF
tine FafherIess shelters
for the Homeless.

In ai communities where people arr
crowded into narrow, confined and I'D
ventilated habitations, such as are called
tenement-houses "a cOntradistinguished
from novels, disease is necessarily enRen-
dered, and crime more or less fostered,
It is OF holy writ that man is prone tC
evil as the spark to fly upward" Ia
such abodes OF sqaHlid misery, where
hardship is impressed upon the young
heart, and all Of the softer and more hu-
name feelings, Like angels, " take wings
and fly weeping away TIE phlanthTO-
plst has a broad Held, II he world rescue
young vice from crime, and make men
and women Of the early and growing
devOtees TO RIGHTEOUSNESS aud villainy.
There is a class, here in Memphis, not
unlike the same of other cities, who
learn a life of lawlessness from very liz
fantile years. II may be a few are res
eued by circumstances, before they are
hardened into stalwRrt and deter
mined crime, or by the kind offices
Of a "gOOd Samaritan" who has not
been induced to step Ove the way for
fear of helping a fellow creature. The
/" maekerelsn have long been known
here as juvenile thieves, who pick up a
precari0us living wherever they fad it.
sometimes peddling fruits or newspapers,
but for the most part leading q life Of
idleness, and but for some kind interpo-
sition growing up and strengthening in
d~issOluteness and criminality. This
class of outlaws" is not confined TO the
male gender, but little girls, inspired by
dissOlute parents, or by those who have
the guardianship of their tender years,
are early installed ia this reckless, rowing
mode Of living. Like the boys, they are
perfect Ishmalites, and their hands are
raised against all who have anything to
lose. From running the trier into sacks
Of coffee, plucBing cotton from ill-se-
cured bales, drawing of mOlasses, or
sBOOning sugar from tried hOgsheads,
they soon become sdepts, and drive a
thriving trade. At best they are "a
grants, girls and boys, and a home should
be provided for them. In this kind Of
economy-atf0rding a place Of refuge for
the homeless and hOuseless yOung-we
may borrow a lesson with advantage
from many of the northern commune
ties, all Of whose examples we might be
reluctant to follow. Ia the vicinity of
large cities, some have provided houses
of refuge, 20 which the young of both
sexes are consigned, whose tender
years forbnd the idea that they are
hardened wretcbes. There, separated
according to their sexes, they are
taught the several branches of industry,
are reduced to suboFdination, and the RI.
diments of education are impaired. In
fine, they are brought within bounds
are bent before the twig has grown into
the tFee-and suited to enter the world
a useful, honest, honorable, industrious
citizens, with trades that cannot with
proper attention fail to raise them to in
dependence, if not o%pulence.
We have made some inquiry as to the
of the reform school, neal Ian
Ohio land there are other similar
institutions farther east, quite as success
full which has been OF immense benefit;
and under its careful management, has
converted 3 mass of young reprObates /
into highly promising young men. 1t
be, that as time progresses, and
these adolescents show qualities that
their reformation, they acquire
homes and friends that are and must be
genial and agreeable TO the home
less and friendless. Girls or boys are
thus provided who otherwise might have
ed a life of impecunious avarice and the
want that is so near akin to criminality.
For older and greater offenders, the
combination Of good sense and reason
laspr0yided work houses, where in daily
.aboF the minor offender may ~expatiate
ais misdeme2nOrs, and thereby diminish
he expense incurred by his punish
nent. Such an institution here would
De of incal0lable benefit, ana very
much reduce the taxation for the in
.areeration of offenders while it would
1e a vast improvement upon the chain
rang system, that should not obtain in
my enlightened community. We hope
hat such reference as we have made, in
,ur rambling style, will lead to some
material and comprehensive plan, on
he part of the commissioners, and beg
TO suggest that they take steps to
institute a p!ace Of refuge or school of re-
orm, in the peiahborhOOd of the city,
There Vsgrant children Of both sexes
be Taught TO lead life Of virtue and
Industry. There are among the " mack
who have no hOmes-nOne to
are for them-ngne to be prOpitiated by
heir efforts, unless those vino are i'm
them to crime-many who would
.oluntarily seek such a home. It would
e a great saving TO the city and citizens,
7ho are taxed without in reality pun
shing the offender, whose mode of life
3 as least precariOus. Communities save
Money by providing for the reformation
f young offenders rather than their
unishment by associating 6hem with I
hose older and more apt TO be deaf to
ontritiOD. 1t would o be amiss if due :
0nsideration should be paid to these J
and the commissioners, who
ave not been exceedingly popular in
leir appointment Of officers, might win
n amount Of comIaendatinn TO which
hey have scarcely aspired. st would be
feather in their cap that would wave as
in our civil affairs as ever did Ct
lst Of Harry Of Navarro on the field of
attic.