Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-18

visit to the Vermont Reform School.
lnpursuance Of a Joint resolution, Remembered
the legislature visited the Reform school, at Yer
gcnnes, on Friday October 18Th. At half-past
eight A. ~ the state train Of eight well filled cars
left the depot at Montpelier At Waterbury eX-
Governor Dillingham; and others got aboard, and
at Burlington Messrs. Huntington, Wales Hatch,
Benedict aud others joined in.
About eleven O'Clock they arrived at Nergennes
depot, where carriages with seating capacity to ac-
commodate all were In readiness, and the excur-
sionists were soon landed at the stevens House,
where they were greeted with music by the Yer
gennes Cornet Band Those who conld not be
accommodated with dinnerat the hotel were taken
to private houses, and Judging from the smiling
coun,enances about after dinner, all were we'll
fed we know at least such was the ease at the
Stevens House.
After dinner the Reform School was visited.
The farm and buildings are situated about one
mile west Of the city on gentle slope rising from
the river bank IL a slightly aud healthy location.
The main building IL two-story, French roof
structure on the first floor Of which is the dining
room, library kitchen and laundry, and In the
rear is the boiler room, gas works, bakery and
bath house, and play room in Indictment weather.
IN the bakery barrel OF flour is used daily besides
coarser meals This department is carried on by
the boys, az wen as all the laundry work, and
specimens Of their work was shown In both de
partments and we overheard some Of the lady
visitors say they didn't think they could beat it
if they should try. On the second floor is the
chapel, hospital, rooms for attendants, etc. The
third floor is the sleeping room, which is filled
with frames suitable for four berths in each; the
room is well lighted and ventilated watch
man is kept on duty in this room during the night
Everything about the building was clean and well
adapted to It's purpose.
On the premises are two other buildings, the old
arsenal and the officers quarters. The former
building is used for workshop and school-room;
the latter is used a. q reform school for girls, and
has at this time nine occupants, who are from ten
to eighteen years Of age. These girls are taught
to sew and to do homework With the aid Of
sewing-machines they make all the clothes for the
boys, and we should Judge they were the most
profitable branch Of the institution.
There are now one hundred and twenty-oue boys
in the institution, ranging from ten to twenty
years Of age They were all dressed in dark gray
clothes, and in all respects looked as though they
were well cared for. On questioning them We
were told that they had plenty to eat, plenty to
wear, were treated kindly and, rs a rule they
were contented and but little disposition, il any,
was shown to escape. They are required to study
four hours a day, work five hours and have the
remainder for play
After the buildings had been Inspected, the
boys were formed in line in field in front Of
the house, and were drilled in marching, etc, in
which they showed to good advantage. They
were then brought up in a line near the building
and a cry of fire raised. In about one minute
! three streams Of water were being thrown upon
the building, one from the force pump in the
main building, and two from hydrants.
Tie legislature was then introduced into the
school-room, where exercises were had by the
boys in singing, Rotations in arithmetic aud
geography, in all Of which they would compare well
with the schools OF our state, while ia arithmetic
we think they would excel From the schoo-room
they went To the workshop, where they showed
their dexterity in putting in the bottoms Of cane
scat chairs About one hours time is allowed 10
seat a chair, but some Of the experts will do it in
thry-fye minutes. Besides this they do some
Of their shoemakinI, keep The premise. clean and
carry on the farm the products Of which, so far
rs shown were iist-class
The Superintendent, Nj. Fairbanks, and his
wife, and ten assistants, have the care Of these
boys and premises and we judge the state has no
fault to find with their management and that
suitable appropriations should be made to support
the institution, there is no question. The state
can better afford 70 educate and reform her boys
that need it, than to have them grow mp in ignor-
auco and crime within her borders
1 The citizens Of Vcrsennes spared no efforts to
accommodate the party, the carriages being in at
tendance during the whole time, taking one
wherever he chose to 60 The band was on the
grounds during the afternoon, and added much
to the enjoyment OF the party. Bat the hour
having arrived for return, all babe the city re-
luctant adieu At three o'clock all were on
board, and at six o'clock arrived at Montpelier,
not the least accident or incident happening to
mar the pleasure Of the occasion.