New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-11
THE BOYS HOUSE OF REFUGE.

This institution. it was urged by the
friends Of Mr. Bosworth and the Demo
cratic party, was SO well managed under
Mr. Bosworth's supervision that it would bc
very wrong TO make change merely to
make room for q Republican. The argll
ment would have been good one provid
ing Republican could not be found to take
| the place, endowed with equal ability and
character, for a faithful performance OF
duty, and as there was no way of ascertain
ing this without making a change, the able
Administrator who controls this matter
doubtless come TO the conclusion that il
would be but fair under the circumstan
to make the trial. 1t is now scarcely three
months since Mr.. Pierce, the Administrator
of Police, appointed Mr.. John H. Henry SUI
perintendent of the BOYS House OF Refuge.
yet within that short space of time enough
has been done by the new superintendent to
convince the fair-minded of all parties that
he will make an energetic, faithful and
efficient public officer. He has already in
troduced improvements that were much
uccutu lOI lHt sstNtN tCOtOluCdl dU-
ministration Of the institution, and others
will doubtless be made. through his sug-
gestion, as soon as practicable, that will add
much to the health and comfort of the
inmates Gas has heen introduced into the
buildings, and will be used in the future
instead Of coal oil, to light the different de-
partments This will certainly lessen
the chances 81 disaster by fire and
be more convenient and less expensive
than the use OF coal oil. The use Of
coal oil lamps il the sleeping department
of the boys-a very large room containing
nearly one hundred beds compactly ar
ranged-was certainly attended with much
danger, not only to life, but property.
Hose had also been introduced by Mr.
Henry, so that water can be conveyed with
facility for cleansing and cooling the prem
Uses; and with the aid of fire cistern and
force pump, both Of which have. We under
stand been asked for, the institution in a
measure will De able to protect itself against
fire. Besides the sinking of fine cistern
of sufficient dimensions will be a great pro-
lection to the whole neighborhood against
the spreading OF fire. In addition to i'm
OF this kind, we understand
Mr. Henry has recommended that gymna-
SUM be established for the better physical
development of the boys in this institution.
During the past month the buildings have
undergone thorough painting and white
washing, adding much to their ap-
pearance, the work being performed
by the inmates Attached to the institu
ton is a school, a bakery, a shoemaker's
shop, tailor's shop and tin shop, al in
successful operation; so that boys may
learn to spell, read, write and cipher, and
then learn trade, and fit themselves to be
useful members of society. Strict discipline
is enforced, and a time allotted for all things.
Nor has Mr.. Henry been unmindful of the
of religion, and the securing of
good books for the Use of the boys. BY
contributions in the way of books,
he has already commenced to receive them.
and hopes to establish quite a library in the
course of time. The institution was never
in better condition than at present.