Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-11
by the efforts and donations of few individ'

by the efforts and donations of few individ'
uals. There is not time, and it would De 100
expensive. to solicit donations in small sums
in all parts Of the State. In Connecticut,
when such an institution was started, over
$50, 900 were subscribed in a short time by in
diyiduals. One sixth part of that sum will
establish such an institution in Maine. Who
will be among the sivers!
Read what has been written by lady who
has made personal examination of these
schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts,,
and who is well qualified by her Intelligent in
tel est in the subject, to view it as it should
be viewed by every christian man and wo-
man -
OF all charities that for the young must be
the most telling Others being to remedy evil
this to prevent mischief.
1t may be unjust to pass over the most hard
ened sinner, but leading the little ones from
bad school to good one, from vice and la
illness to usefulness and industry from wretch
edness, to comfort, is gain right and left,
taking from the bad pile and enlarging the
good. Perhaps a little account of the very
successful school at Mdt.esown, Conn.,, NAV
| not be without interest. 1t can truly be said
an industrial school is school of industry.
1t would seem pretty well to find eighty girls,
the average of whose age is about IL years,
doing all the work Of the house, under the in
struction of teachers who thus fit them for fu-
ture service as servants, laundresses, house
keepers, &c, besides making and mending
all the garments, and house-linen required
but when added to this we find one fourth of
the force at time employed in the manutac
ture OF boxes for stationery, buckles. sewing
silk. &C., and thus learning a trade, by which
they can always command high wages, we
cannot doubt the utility of the institution
From to o'clock A. NJ, the time is spent
In chamber duties, breakfast, and PRAYERS,
when all repair to their several posts of duty
Chamber work is learned by the care of the
officers rooms. Four are detailed to kitchen
service, an equal number wash and iron four
days in the week, the other two DAYS being
devoted to sweeping, scrubbing, and general
house cleaning. The remainder are employ
ed in the sewing and box-making rooms till
the twelve o'clock dinner and recreation,
when all repair to their rooms to dress for
school. Meeting in the sewing room to form
| in line for the school rooms, where three
hours are devoted to education, with half an
hours recess. AT 3 o'clock supper and rec.
reation the remainder of the evening being
spent in amusement, such as singing, recta-
| ii on, fancy work or doll dressing, eight
o clock taking all to bed.
Now, during all this time, they are under
the eye of an officer except when the ladie.
| take their meals, when a monitor is sppoint-
| ed. The playroom is a large enclosed piazza
with plenty of glass in front and large win
dow at the end where the matron sits with
her sewing, like a mother watching her fam-
w nffe hs1, tba
on innocent gaiety Punishment is rare and
light, except for coarseness or vulgarity,
which are always noticed as indications of a
downward step. All the officers agree as to
the fact that little children do not sense" the
wickedness OF their surroundings at home.
Their tempers are reused, and their language
becomes often exceedingly bad, but when re-
moved from the provocation, injustice and
hardship, they are easily restored to order.
and their manners become respectful and
agreeable. In fact, the success of the school
! Is very much owing 10 this proyidential ar
| raDgement. Ii is much TO be regretted that
| cur proposed Industrial School and the State
Hospital are calling for aid a, the same time
bat much as the latter Is needed, the school is
IS far before the hospital in importance, as the
so-l is before the body. But we're the State
TO assume the whole expense Of saving these
children, II suld be good economy, for crime
u always the heaviest expense in which a
country can indulge, and VI oman a wonderful
power for good or evil, and the hundreds this
school would cave, would unreclaimed send
| thousands down to destruction. II may be
well to look at the subject in another light.
We call our country christian land, Christ
himself gives the Law Of kindness as a test of
our Christianity. Can we deserve the title
while so many helpless children look to us in
| vain from the borders of the slough of des-
pond for aid.
| Let us not fold the hands till the rescued
exceed the punished, and the schools, the
State prisons and county jails. Let us save
all We can, reform all we can. and reserve
punishment as much as possible for the incor-
rigible b.