Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-05
The State Reform School.

The Trustees Of the State Reform school at Cape
Elizabeth have submitted their annual report 10
the Governor and Council. The commiss ion OF
three of the former Trustees expired during the
wear, and their places we're supplied by Hon. War
rem III. Nnton, of Gray, and DR.. VIM +. Paine, of
Bath and DIR. Geo Z. Higgins OF Lubec. The com
mission of VIM. f. Gould of Portland, expired in
November, and was renewed. The Trustees con.
slider that the school is well managed as posi-.
BILE for the money granted. Iftncrc is any failure
it is because the material interests OF the farm have
engrossed much thought, time and care and the
higher interests OF study, morality and reform held
rs subordinate. Figures are given, showing that
the Maine School has never yet cost in anything
like fair proportion to schools in other States.
Unless considerable sum is raised this year to put
the buildings in Order 10 pay the teachers better,
and to arrange for complete division of grades in
the boys, it would be better to rclnquish the whole
affair. The results now attained are not .atislac-
tory and they cannot be with the present means at
command. 1t is not right to blame the officers for
this. The retiring Superintendent, Mr.. Hutchinson,
has done the best he could under the
Changes are suggested in the interior arrangement
of the rooms good and bad boys should DC sepa-
rated the sleeping apartments Objectionable,
the boys being locked up in cells; this plan should
be abandoned and two rooms substituted, where
the two grades of boys can sleep in separate COM
Portable beds, in homelike, respectable manner;
the more promising of the lads should be taught
some useful trades, so that when they graduate
they can 90 into shops and factories and at once
earn decent living boy must be convicted OF
crime before he enters the school, but the offences
are varied, running from truancy to attempts at
murder. 1t is wrong to put into one common herd
so many youth of varied characteristics. Ad.
herring to the reiormatory work of the school, 1t is
necessary that facilities be provided that these
classes may be separated, in work, study and rec
rcaton. The work is largely failure until divi-
sion is made. system of simple principles, easily
understoo by the pupils, could govern the interior
discipline. Good behavior attention, progress in
study and work, all should be counted as so much
in favor of the person. A convict wouidthen have
power to regulate his own career.
The Trustees are convinced that the practice of
towns and cities, in certain cases, paying one dol
lar week for the support ofboys sent to the school,
is not desirable. Many troublesome lads who
should be sent to the school, are suffered to remain
at home the pest of the village and to lit them
selves for the State Prison, because the town au-
thorites will not consent 10 the additional tax of
one dollar week. And the Trustees are beset by
petitions for the release of the boys who are doing
WELL because the voters of town grudge what they
think is q useless outlay of money different
method of listing the school is suggested that Wis
itors do not come in swarms and that the inspec.
ton of the institution be confined to the members
of the committee. Sabbath services and the Sunday
school have been regularly held; the library re.
plenished and the farm and buildings, the stock
team, &C., more than kept up to the standard. The
Trustees recommend general appropriation the
State of at least $40 600 for current expenses.
The report of the Superintendent, +. w. Hutchin