The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-18


ans BoR OF LOVE.
Twenty years ago fine and large building
of brick and stone, imposing to the eye, but
rendered trhe ridiculous by it's attempt to
look like baronial castle, was put up in Cape
Elizabeth for the purposes of State Reform
School. In many respects it was for long
time but Reform School in name, and was
conducted too much as punitive and too little
as a reformatory institution. About five
months since, Mr.. Eben Wentworth, widely
and favorably known as Master of the North
School in this city, was appointed Superintend-
ent Since he assumed that position a radical
change has taken place in the institution.
Tuesday morning representative of the
PRESS visited the school and spent the day in
examining its workings. He was agreeab!y
surprised at the alterations for the better which
have taken place in the institution. Mr.. Went
worths admirable executive ability and his
thorough knowledge of boys and their wants,
acquired through his long experience as a
teacher have been brought into play, and have
brought forth gratifying results. His first step
was to thoroughly grade the school on the de-
pertinent plan. After three months of careful
study of the boys and their characteristics he
divided them into three grades. Those who
approved themselves dI1Igent, oDeuIenJ ana fuu-
orable were admitted to the first grade Those
who showed signs of promise, which however
failed to come to fulfllment, were placed in
the second grade. The vicious and the very
idle were reserved for the lowest grade. His
plan was, to show such favors to the highest
grade as to make it an object for the others to
climb up to it. Trust was reposed in the boys
of this grade, liberties were accorded to them,
and special favOrs granted. 1t was made con-
dition that no boy should be discharged from
the school, except under extraordinary circum-
Stances who had not reached this grade. Not
content with appealing to their heads and
hearts Mr.. Wentworth appealed to their stom-
achs. The system of grades was carried into
the dining hall. Two dollars a week were al
lowed by the trustees for the better furnishing
of tables. At the long table on entering the
hall were seated the boys of the first grade.
The table was covered with neat white cloths,
and furnished with crockery dishes. In addi-
ton to the regular fare, fruit in its season,
pastry and sweetmeats were allowed. The in
termediate grade were allowed the table cloths
and the crockery, but no additions to the regu-
lar fare were gwen. The lowest grade were
seated, as had formerly been the custom with
all, at bare benches, and were furnished with
the ordinary fare in tin dishes and basins.
The systhm has worked to charm At first
there were but twenty-five boys in the high
grade. The number is now doubled. A bene-
fetal effect upon the lower grades is very no.
ticeable Numbers of boys are struggling for a
position in the ranks of the favored ones. Mr.
Wentworth has great confidence in the trust
worthiness of the members of this grade. He
makes them feel it, and very seldom has it
been abused. By every means in his power he
endeavors to impress upon the minds of the
others the desirability of reaching this grade.
For example the first class was taken to the
Industrial Exhibition last week, and the
others told that similar excursions were
in progress for the good boys. These boys are
allowed large liberty. Not infrequently some
OF them are sent to the city. None of these have
ever been known to violate the confidence re-
posed in them, but always return at the APP
pointed hour. One of them, sent to the school
as confirmed petty thef, is now one of the
best boys in the institution, aud, Mr.. Went
worth believes, thoroughly honest. Another,
who has the reputation of being the most ex-
pert young burglar in Maine, the boy who
taught Wagner how to escape from Alfred Jail,
is now looked upon as Industrious, capable and
trustworthy. He has learned the bakers trade
since being at the school, and Mr.. Wentworth
has secured him an opening in that business
When he gets his discharge. Another, one of
the most noted of Portland gutter-snipes, has
learned the barber trade, and will go into
shop as soon as discharged. Still another has
been fitted to enter Portland High School, and
in all probability will enter his fall,
The hope of discharge is a great aid to the
boys in their endeavors to improve Where un-
mistakable signs of amendment are shown a
careful consideration is given to the case by the
trustees, and if thought advisable the discharge
is made out. While the reporter was watching
the work in the chair room an assistant came
in and informed one of the first class boys
named Cassidy, of his discharge. He dropped
his work, picked up his hat and jacket, and
ran to meet his father who was waiting for him
in the office. As he went out the superintendent
took occasion to remind the boys that the way
to discharge was through the first grade.
lucTe dTo Uut lew lnsldHceS WDere III mas
been found necessary to degrade boys. Curl
ously enough most of the cases arise from the
use of tobacco. Some of the highest grade,
though proving themselves up to the mark q
every other respect, cannot resist the tempta-
ton to us tobacco when they can get it. For
this offence they are at once sent down to a
lower grade.
The second grade embraces about forty-five
boys. Most of these are strenuously endeavor-
Ing 10 reach the upper grade, and probably will
succeed. The lowest grade, taking in the re-
hander of the school, numbers nearly fifty.
Az nrst many of the boys affected to care little
for position, but thera is now an evident
anxiety on the part of nearly all to reach the
first class. In case of degradation, it takes
eight weeks of continuous good behavior to 90
from the lowest to the highest grade.
The Superintendent has uot contented him
self with merely improving the morals of his
charges. Great attention has been paid to
their physical comfort The last legislature
appropriated $4,000 for repairs and this sum is
being judiciously expended. To start with the
old cell dormitories,-to sleep in which must