Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-06-13
The Courts.

on motion of Judge Moore. ordered to be placed
on the trial calendar. Fletcher vs.. Hollings-
worth. Judgment confessed for Sl3s.s9.
CIRCUIT COURT, Judge Olia--To-day Brown
& Son agt. Crutchett; verdict for plaintiff.
Same agt. Chorpening; do. Spalding agt. Brice;
do. johnson, EXT, agt Gregg; do.
ORPHANS COURT, Judge Pareeu.-In this
court, on Saturday, the last will of Rachel
Stewart was fully proven. The will OF jacob
Heck, bequeathing his estate to his wife and
children, was filed and partially proven. The
will of Joseph A. Coburn was admitted TO pro-
bate. Pierce Shoemaker qualified as admins
traitor OF Hayes Speakman; bond 500. Angelica
P. Hoover qualified as administrative OF Jonah
ID. Hoover; bond -. 900. She also gave bond in
$1,000 as the guardian of the estate OF her son,
F. P. Hoover. j. II. johnson entered caveat
to the will Of Margaret Cronan. II
The Reform school Of the District Of
Columbia.
This institution was created by act OF Con-
gress, approved 25th July, 1866, under the title
of the House of Correction. Its designation
was, however, changed by a supplementary act
approved 9th May, 1870, to that of T" The Re-
form School OF the District Of Columbia" 1t
is located on the " Government Farm" situated
about half a mile from the Potomac river, four
miles northwest from Georgetown. The loca-
ton is beautiful, picturesque, and he althy.
The institution grew out or a former one,
designated "Tbe Guardian Society,"" incorpo-
rated by act of Congress approved July LIST, 1852.
That society raised some five or six thousand
~
and banking institutions of Washington, OBJ
tanned large building in 1865 erected near the
city as hospital building during the rebellion,
removed Ii TO its present locality, and re-
erected it where il now stands. But their funds
being exhausted, the act first mentioned was
passed, incorporating the Trustees of the House
of Correction. and appropriating twelve thou
sand dollars for the benefit of the institution
This, however, only suffced TO prepare the
building for the reception OF boys, leaving no
adequate fund with which to carry on the insti-
tuition.
No further appropriation having been made
down to May, 1870, and the former one being
nearly exhausted, the board of directors were
unable to put the institution in operation. The
present board, however, deemed it advisable,
last autumn, to organize the school by appoint
ing superintendent, and receiving small
number OF boys sent to the institution by the
Criminal Court, relying upon Congress to make
such appropriation as would enable them to
carry it on. In this they have not been disap-
pointed.
The Board have been fortunate in obtaining
the services of Mr.. George f. Howe, Superin-
tendent of the State Reform School of Ohio,
one OF the most successful institutions, under
his management, in the United States, to super
wise, by occasional visits, the institution under
their charge; brother of Mr.. Howe, Mr.. F. W.
Howe, who has had much experience in the
Ohio State Reform School, having been en-
plOyed as assistant superintendent and manager
of the school and farm, and his wife as matron.
The system adopted for this Institution is that
of the Reform School of Ohio, namely, the
"famy plan" In Germany and France
through the influence and self-sacrihcing labors
of DIR. Wicheren and others, the "family plan'
was originated and generally adopted in re-
Claiming Maynard, degra ded, and criminal
youth. They wisely and humanely provided
for juvenile definquents safe, good home.
and not gloomy and cherries prison, and
the most wonderful results, in the work of ref
ormation and preparation Tor the duties OF lite
were achieved" The boys in this school are
treated as inmates of a family; are governed by
the law of kindness, and not by rod of power:
are made to feel that they are trusted that
those having charge of them are their friends,
whose only object Is to promote their best inter.
ests and happiness.
There are sixteen boys now In the school; with
these Mr.. Howe has, since the first OF Nav.
fenced in a considerable portion OF the farm,
ploughed and planted twenty acres, besides
making garden; and il IL found that they
work cheerfully, willingly, and diligently. They
are well fed, well clothed, have comfortable
beds, and are made to realize that they have
good home-such home as probably most of
them never had before. Thus provided and
cared for, they are open to moral and religi-
Gus influences, and these are not omitted by
the Observation-Disclosures and moral and
religious instruction being prominent parts OF
tie TefoTmatory system here adopted.
Employment being one of the most eilectual
means OF reform, without which, indeed, 10
permanent reform could be effected either in
boys or men, large portion of the time OF the
boys is occupied by labor suitable to their age
1t is intended to make this labor not only profit
able, but agreeable, and to INSPIRE the boys
with proper sense of the propriety and impor-
lance OF every one performing his share of labor
AS the trustees have possession of the govern
ment farm, except the small portion needed for
the aqueduct, it is their intention that the BOYS
shaii be taught and employed in farming, horti-
culture, and fruit culture, during the spring
summer and fall months, and in various mechai-
ical branches during the winter season.
VI Il hoped that large class of boys whose
home has been the street, and that other class
whose refractory dispositions their parents or
guardians have been unable to subdue, and who
are growing up in idleness and general bad
habits, viii soon find their way to the School of
Reform.
The laws of congress provide that the Board
OF trustees may, at their discretion, receive,
take and keep in their exclusive care, CONTROL
and custody: First. Any boy under the age iof
sixteen years who shall or may be liable to pun
law of the District OF Columbia, or any law that
may be enacted and in force in said District
second. ANY boy under sixteen years OF age
against whom any charge Of committing any
crime or misdemeanor shall have been made.
the punishment of which, on conviction would
be confinement in Jail or prison. Third. Any
boy under sixteen years of age, who Is destitute
OF suitable home and adequate means of OBJ
tanning an honest living, or who is in danger of
ibeing brought up, or is brought up, to lead an
IDLE or vicious life. Fourth. Any boy under six
teen years who Is incorrigible, or habitually
disregards the commands of his parents father
or mother, or guardians; or who resorts to i'm
moral places or practices; or who negiects or re-
fuses, at the request or command of his parents,
father or mother, or guardian to perform labor
school. '""
The rules and regulations set forth that s.the
Reform School is established for one purpose, to
Wit: The reformation of the inmates detained
therein. The means to be employed are in
struction and labor, ur6sr thorough discipline,
accompanied by rewards and punishments. as
may be deserved by the inmates. The instruc-
tion viii embrace mental and physical culture,
teaching and preporing the inmates, while in
the Institution, how to live after they leave it,"
G. The officers are: President, Nathan Sargent;
Secretary, DeVere Burr; Treasurer, Henry ID.
Cooke; Superintendent, George E. Howe; AS
sstant Superintend and Manager, +. w. Howe:
Matron, Mrs. r. w. Howe. Board of Trustees:
Nathan Sargent, Henry d. Cooke, Rev. B. r.
WiRgett, Richard Wallach, Henry A. Brewster.
DeVere Burr, William b. Todd.
The KNIGHTS TRMPLAR of this city (Colum.
bia and Washington Commanderies) win attend
the Grand Encampment OF Tempiars at WiI-
Transport, Pa, to commence on the 18th inst
They are now making preparations to that end,
and will leave here on the $50 q. m. train on
Tuesday, and will be attended BY the Marine
Band. Senator Mcdonald, p. G. NJ. OF Tenn
plars, b. b. French, and other distinguished
members Of the fraternity will accompany the
excursion. They win join the Baltimore Knights
ana proceed In company with them to Pennsvl-