National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-07-17
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
ORGANIZATION OF THE INSTITUTION,
It's Rise and Presrcss-The Past and Pres
ent-Conditieu, Resources and Manage
went-wsrh Donc-sketch Of the New
Butidins Now Beips Rrcctsd,

It's Rise and Presrcss-The Past and Pres.
snt-CondItiou, Resources and Manage
went-wsrh Donc-skctch Of the New
Bsiidins Now Being Erected.
The present reform school grew out OF q
former Institution OF similar character dcsis-
mated "The Guardian Society" incorporated BY
act OF Congress approved July 1. 1862. That 30
clety, through the liberality OF few citizens
and banking institutions Of Washington, raised
some nye or six thousand dollars; obtained
large building In 1865, erected near the city as a
hospital during the rebellion. This building
was subsequently torn down, and was regretted
on the Government Farm" situated about half
a mile from the Potomac river, and four miles
northwest from Georgetown. The funds being
exhausted, and the good intention OF the society
being bafied. an act was approved by Congress
July Is, 1866, Incorporating q boarl Of trustees
OF the House Of Correction, and appropriatng
$4,000 for the benefit Of the institution.
This, however, only suf,oed to prepare the
building for the reception OF boys, leaving no
adequate funds with which TO carry on the insti-
tuition. No further appropriation having been
made down 10 May, 1870, and the former one
being nearly exhausted, the effort TO put the
Institution In operation proved unsuccessful.
By 4 supplementary act, approved May ., 1870,
the title OF this institution was changed to that
OF the "Rrform School OF the District Of Column
bia," and the following board Of trustees were
incorporated; Nathan Sargent, Henry ID. Cooke,
Rev. d. y. wiggett, Richard waliach, Henry A.
Brewster, DE We're Burr and W. d. Todd.
The board deemed II advisable to organize the
school by appointing a superintendent and re-
cciving small number OF boys sent to the instl-
tuition by the Criminal Court, relying upon Con-
gress TO make such appropriation as would en-
ah fhat 70 m nm haa r.I
obtained the services of Mr.. George L. Howe,
superintendent Of the State Reform school Of
Ohio; brother Of Mr.. Howe, Mr.. =. W. Howe,
who also had much experience In the Ohio State
Reform school, was employed rs assistant and
manager OF the school and farm, his wifeactins
as matron. The system adopted for this instl-
tuition was the "iamiiy PLAN which worked &C
successfully In ohio. Germany and France, thus
providing for juvenile delinquents q safe, good
home, and not gloomy and cheeress prison
The boys by this plan are treated as inmates o.
family; are governed by the law Of Kindness
and not by the rod Of power. Mr.. Howe, during
this year, with his nrst instalment OF boys, six
teen In number, fenced In q considerable por
uon Of the farm, plowei and planted twenty
acres Of land, beside making garden.
During this year the Institution more than
fulnlled the expectations Of Its friends, notwith
standing that It had been carried on under great
endorsements. AT the close Of the year 1870
there forty-six boys IN the school, but befoit
the close OF the month OF January, 1871, the mum
Der had Increased to over sixty, and II there had
been accommodations the number would hav'
probably reached hundred or more. To max
room for those crowded upon the school by tn
courts, the board were under the necessity o
disohsrging others who had greatly improved
but who ought, In justlceto the school, have re
mainpI lnnVaF nnFnu thia
school was visited by the President Of the Unite
States, q large number OF Congressman and Sen
ators, who expressed their great satisfaction wit
the general appearance, orderly department, an
performances Of the boys.
This year there were one hundred and fou
boys in the school; tnirty.eight Of the humble
were discharged, some by reason Of expiratio
Of the terms for which they were sent to tn
school, nine were discharged to mako room 70
other boys sent to the institution by the court,
and two only as fully reformed. BY failure Q
Congress to pass the bill making an appropril
ton for the expenses Of the school for the cul
rent year, the board were left comparativel
without means 10 defray the expenses OF III
school. In this dilemma the board had to decid
whether they would break up the school an
turn sixty-three boys then In the school into tn
street or send them back to the courts to be re
manded to prison, or cndeavor to carry on tn,
school In the best way they could until relic
could be obtained from Congress.
The institution was saved by several liberia
gentlemen, who generously offered to supply III
school with such articles as were necessary 70
its support until Congress should make an apprc
priation, thereby enabling the board to keep tn
school In successful operation through all the
emoarrassments. At this time much slcknes
prevailed at the school, but through the judiciou
management and prompt attention to each cas-
by the superintendent no deaths occurred. TIL
location being found to be unhealthy the boar
asked Secretary DelanO to secure new locatio
for the school-to dispose Of that portion Of tn
Government farm occupied by the reform scho,
and not needed for aqueduct purposes, and wit
the proceeds and some additional funds purchas
amore suitable place.
This year the farm products were abundan
Twenty acres OF corn OF excellent quality, Nv
acres Of potatoes, three acres OF beans, two q
vines, including melons, cucumbers an
squashes, were produced. There was also
large vegetable garden. Some OF the vegetable
were marketed, which was q source OF revenu
to the institution. Sixty-four bushels OF whes
and nlnety-four Of oats were harvested; nv
acres Of land were planted with grass seet
three acres Of land were planted with strawbel
ries; also, several hundred grape vines were 81
out. Eleven hundred and twenty Ave feet {
paling fence had been constructed, besides n
pairing all the fences Of the farm.
BY an act OF the 9Th Of March, 1872, ali an
singular the powers conferred and duties CT
Joined by existing laws upon the Secretary
the Interior relating to the reform school In tn
District OF Columbia the same were transferre
10 the Department OF Justice, and the board
trustees, December 81, 1879, made applicatio
through Hon. Geo. Il. Williams, Attorney Ger
eral, to Congress to change the location OF tn
school from the Government farm to one NOR
healthy, and make an appropriation Of $780,
for the purchase of a new site and the erectio
Of suitable buildings thereon.
Congress made the appropriation asked fol
though the act was not passed until the 18Th q
May. 1t was earnestly hoped that a suitable sit
could and would he Immediately selected an
purchased, and that at least one building woul
be erected and finished for the accommodate
OF the school before the sickly season shout
come. Bnt in this hope the board were disaI
pointed. The selection Of the new site was nc
accomplished until about the goth Of July, whe
the sickly season had commenced. The schoo
including the superintendent, his wife, tn
natron, and his assistants, suffered severed
from malarlal diseases, as they had the year b,
fore. The matron, Mrs. Howe, fell victim /
the prevailing disease, and In her death the II
stitution met with an irreparable loss. Kline
motherly, Judicl0us In her treatment OF th
boys, calm and self-possessed on all occasions
and unwearied In her care and attentions h
them when sick, she won their affection an,
confidence, and had, consequently, great In
nuence and control over them. She was tru
another to them all. She might probably hay
recovered her health by going to the mountain
or sea-shore, hut she would not leave her post Q
duty to save that life which she devoted TO tn
good Of the young, the unfortunate, and tn