Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-18
TIE REFCRM SCHOOL.

1t is generally understood that there has
bsen for several years growing conviction
that the system Of organization and admins
tration of the State Reform School, system
which was rendered necessary by the manner
in which the interior Of the Reform School
building was arranged in its original construc-
tion,-seriously interiered with the success OF
that institution. For several years the ST.
perintendents of the institution have clearly
seen the difficulties, and called attention to
them. 1t was not, however, until last winter
that the Legislature, on the urgent recon-
mendation OF the trustees and the governor,
we're brought to realize the necessity OF
modification of the system, and to make pro-
visions for remodeling of the interior of the
Reform School building. Superintendent
Wentworth has most earnestly and successful
ly seconded the trustees 10 their plans OF re-
form, and already, the results, even under the
adverse circumstances attending the inevita-
BILE disorder proceeding from the extensive re-
pairs going on in the building, have been
such as to justify the most extravagant hopes
for the future OF the school.
Heretofore the boys in the Reform School
have necessarily been in one body the hard
ened and evil-minded associated with boys
who were simply unfortunate, and in no way
worse than average boys. Now, under the
new arrangement of the building, the boys are
divided into three classes or grades, about
forty in each grade, the first class being COM
posed of the best and most stworthy boys,
the second class being composed of those of
slightly lower standard morally, and the third
class of the more depraved. Each class is
kept separate. and given advantages proper
toned to the grade. Boys in the first or sec
ond class are liable to be degraded to the low
er class for improper conduct and on the 9TH
err hand boys in the third and second classes
are entitled to promotion for such conduct as
shows that they merit such recognition. The
effect of this classification and promotion is
already marvellous. The prison character of
the institution has been done away with, and
now neither class is put in cell at night or
under lock and key. The third class is watched
carefully and kept under strict surveillance.
The second class are watched to certain ex-
tent, and trusted SO far as is considered safe.
Both classes are treated with uniform kind
ness, and put upon their honor.
The first class are given nearly all the priv
ileges that would be granted to the inmates of
a boarding school. They are allowed to play
outside the yard, and are constantly treated
as boys under no restraint beyond such as
would be expected in any well-managed fam
lily. Recently, all the members of the first
class CAS- boys) were allowed to spend fore
noon in the woods at some distance from the
house, without even an officer. At the APP
pointed signal, every boy returned in good
order, and happy to think that he had merit
ed the confidence reposed in him. The place
which the boys were allowed to visit was
one from which every boy could have easily
escaped. Saturday, the whole first-class
were provided with tickets to the Industrial
Exhibition in Portland, and allowed to visit
the same without being accompanied by an
officer and every boy conducted himself APP
and returned to the school at the
appointed hour.
The success OF the new system Is beyond all
all anticipation. The boys of the first class
feel themselves highly privileged and trusted,
and strive to merit the confidence reposed III
them and the boys in the other classes strive
to so conduct themselves as to merit promo
ton to the first grade. 1t is intended to dis
charge no boy before the expiration of his
terme of sentence, unless he has for a certain
tim maintained his rank in the first class
and friends of the lads ought not to seek their
discharge until they thus demonstrate their
worhiness. The Improvements in the Re-
form School building will be completed by
August, and when the new system can be
carried out more thoroughly. However, the
results thus far more than justify the most
confidential anticipations Of the earnest
friends of the school, who predict that the in
stitution will be the means ofsaving nearly all
the boys placed there. Lewiston Journal