Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-02-12
The Stat, Reborn, School.

UfaNc CIdTScS Oh Encouragement
and neglect in connection with the
management of the above institution,
and of inhuman treatment of its in
mates by the Superintendent, Mr..
Mccarthy, have been made from
time to time for some months past.
SO long as these charges came from
q somewhat notorious source in the
vicinity of the school, they attracted
no marked attention, and were sup
posed to have been exploded by the
testimony of Hon. John A. Parvin,
one of the Trustees of the Reform
School, who pronounced them false
and malicious.
They have, however, been renewed
by other and reputable parties who
have visited the institution, and who
describe the situation of the boys rs
positively filthy and squalid, and their
treatment as most inhuman. One of
these witnesses is Judge Mccall, OF
Oskaloosa, who visited the school,
and who thus reports the result of his
observations:
"The hands of most of the boys were
black with CRIME, and dirt, and chaps,
even the poor youths who played the
melodeon. They appeared ashamed of
their hands, and concealed them covertly
between their knees. / was first struck
with the meanness and inadequacy of the
childrens' clothing. The boys were dirty,
ragged, squalid. Even the one who play
ed the organ was so far as raiment was
concerned, disgrace to the State of Iowa,
or to the benevolent institutions of any
State. Indeed, most of the boys have a
wild, hungry appearance After convers-
ing with the two boys from Oskaloosa,
examining their woe begone appearance,
hearing from them of their i'll treatment
at the Reform School, and witnessing the
tears of Sparks, my heart was touched,
and felt the moisture gather in my own
eyes"
The above is not an attractive pic
ture, though there is possibility that
those points in the narrative derived
from conversation with the boys may
be too deeply colored. But the test
mony is not all one way. Beside the
strong averments of Mr.. Parvin that
the school is well and humanely man
aged, we notice Il recent communica-
ton to the Davenport Gazette, under
date of January 9th, from Mr.. Robt.
Thompson, Of Iowa City, who made
a visit to the school, and who, from
his examination, arrives at directly
contrary opinion from Judge Mccall.
Mr.. Thompson says:
"These boys are all warmly clad, and
well shod, and, from their appearance,
should say that they are taught what is
considered next to godliness-cleanliness.
Their food, of which tasted, though not
rs delicious as great many might wish
for, is good and well cooked and appar-
entity there was an abundance of it
Their beds are good and well covered,
but if the legislature would make an APP
preparation to put in heating apparatus so
that the chill could be taken from the
domitories before the time for going to
bed it would do good thing"
Mr.. Thompson further says that
s'the management seemed to be all
that could be desired"
OF course it is useless to attempt
to reconcile these conflicting state
ments, and it seems to be in order to
have a thorough investigation of the
alleged abuses of the Reform School.
It would be miracle if among two
hundred boys of the character of
those comprising the school every
thing should work smoothly and sat-
isfactory, but there is no excuse for
cruelty or inhumanity in their man.
agement, and if such shall appear,
the remedy should be promptly ap-
piled. 1t is possible that lack of
means or facilities may account for
much that is set down as studied
cruelty and neglect, but in any case
the facts should be authoritatively as.
certained, and we hope that the prop
err State authority will institute an
investigation without delay.