Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-12
For the
REFORM SCHOOLS.

Authorities may differ rs to the precise date oil
their origin. In our former communication it
wa. stated, on what seemed good authority, that
the original Industrial school was established by
Giovanni Borgi, in Rome, without definite date,
but in the latter part Of last century. Another
author saws Catholic priest Marc Antonio
Odescalchi,) founded hospital for strangers and
yagrant boys, in Romo in the year 1886. The
BOYS were instructed in the rudiments Of learning
and taught the weaver's trade. That was not an
Industrial school but ten years later an aims
house and an asylum were united with this, by
Pope Innocent XII, and seven or eight years la
ter, roformatory for boys convicted of crimes
was added In 1875 Female Penitents' Refuge
was established and in 1890 an asylum for young
girls exposed to danger from loss Of parents or
guardians.
An Industrial school for poor girls over twelve
years old, was also founded at Rome in 1910 by
Cardinal Odescalchi, q kinsman of the above
named priest, the founder of the hospital origin
ally designed for destitute strangers at Rome.
This formed nucleus for the other charitable in
stitutions, which was added by Innocent MI and
his almonor, another Odescalchi, also kinsman
Of the priest After this brief notice Of charitable
and roformatory Institutions at Rome we continue
our sketches of the progress of the cause else
where, having closed our last communication with
brief mention of the origin Of Sunday Schools
and carly Industrial schools in Scotland.
In 17ss philanthropic society FOR the pro-
vention Of crime the reformation Of juvenile Of
tenders and for the aid Of destitute children of
convicted lelons," was formed in London by Ar
thur Young. The original plan was to group the
children in families under suitable instructors,
who we're to be in place Of parents each family
learning different trade. The plan was after
wards changed for sake of economy. They were
all collected in ono large building.
For thirty years this was the only institution Of
the kind in existence
A society for the prevention Of pauperism and
crime was formed in New York in 1918. l. Girls
cum, Isaac Collins, l. Curtis and l. W Gerard
were among the founders. Through their efforts
was formed in 1923, a society for the reformation
ofiuvenile delinquents, This was chartered in
1924 and house of refuge for juvenile offenders
was opened in 1926.
A similar institution commenced in Boston,
1926 another in Philadelphia in 1923.
In Europe efforts were made in 1888 to make
the confinement Of pupils less rigorous, by group
ing them in families Of twelve to fifty, under
" House Fathers" and " Elder Brothers, - trained
for this special work. The family system, with
moral and religious instruction, was the main re-
lance for the reformation Of the pupils This
system originated with DR.. johnson II. Wichern
Il German philanthropist This man devoted his
life to organizing reformatories and training
young men for the responsible trust Of conducting
them. These went to most parts Of the civilized
world as teachers Of reform schools and discipline
rians in prisons Associated as they are under
the name of =" The Inner Mission, 80 having yearly
meetings and systematic correspondence, their in.
luence is felt through all enlightened nations.
A school was established at Mattrai, France
in 1899, for young delinquents, usually commit
ted for the term of their minority. They ar,
grouped in companies of fifty, and in sepant,
houses on the family system, with military organ
izHtion as means Of reformation. A number o.
these schools were established in France, and else
where in Europe, but none as successful as thai
at Mattrai
Another class Of reformatories arose in Bel
gium-one at Ruysselade for boys, and another al
Beernem, n near village for girls, These receive
Migrants and morally children, a,
well as criminals divide them into sections O
one hundred, placed under an oyerseer and assist
ants. The discipline is mainly military, and grea
pains are taken to win the affections of the pu
pills. Trades and farm work are taught the boys
the girls learn Homework and needlework
In 1916, over three hundred boys, under th,
nge Of sixteen years, were committed to jails ant
prisons, or other places Of punishment, in tn,
State of Massachusetts,, for criminal offences. In
these jails and prisons they were exposed to III,
corrupting influence Of older and more desperate
criminals. The great number of offenders and
their exposure to being made worse offenders by
the old system Of prison punishment, no doubt
suggested to thoughtful men the necessity Of some
plan for reforming as well as furnishing criminals
and what is still better for the prevention Of crime
as much as possible. With these objects in view
and probably encouraged by the liberal donation
Of twenty-five thousand dollars, by an unknown
henetactur of his race, the Massachusetts, State
Reform School was established. Other similar
State institutions have originated from similar
want, modelled on the plan Of the Westborc
school, which, if we mistake not, wa. the first
State institution of the kind.
The Vermont Reform School is now only in the
fourth year of its existence but brief as is its his
tory its friends land their number should be that
of the entire intelligent population) have good
reason to cherish high hopes of increasing success
as the growing confidence of the people shall in
crease its means of doing good. Established by
an act Of the Legislature of 1865, in accordance
with the recommendation of Governor Dilling-
ham, it is finding itsway through various amend
ments to more practical modes and regulations,
as experience may suggest and wisdom approve.
1t will prove itself rst-class institution for boys
requiring its excellent teachings.
But is there no need of female relormatory ,
Are the rights of the girls to be ignored by the
State and no facilities for their moral improve
ment granted ?
In the United States the rapid increase of va
grant and vicious children, principally by immi-
grafton, suggested the plan of training children
quite young, from seven to fourteen. The New
York Juvenile Asylum, and kindred institu-
tons, resulted from this Children not convicted
of crime were committed by magistrates some at
their own request In some cases they were d.
yided into families of thirty, forty or fifty. Tbi.
State authorized the asylum in exercising parental
discipline and giving careful instruction. The
children usually were returned to parents OIL
guardians after SIX to twelve months, they bind
ing themselves to take good care of the children
or to indenture them to farmers at a distance from
their former city homes.
There is an institution in Lancaster, Ohio, oc
cupying a large farm appropriated TO dairy anc
fruit culture Another at Lancaster, Massachu
sets, for girls. There are taught household du
ties and the culture of flowers, with thorough
moral and intellectual instruction.
" Homes for the friendess" constitute anothe
class of reformatores. One in the city of New
Nnrk xrau biisloI l.. 1904