Daily Republican., 1879-03-13
A Reform atory school.

tion for Juvenile culprits, and that II he
was q rich mar he would build one
himself, rather than see the State re-
main longer without one. 1t is . great
pity there are not more people of Sena-
tor Bayard's way Of thinking, and had
the money to spare for that purpose.
There can be no doubt that the large
majority of boys Of our city have their
characters shaped for life by the edu-
cation they receive at the corners Of
streets, and around the saloons Of the
city, licensed and unlicensed, and this
is the reason why drunkenness amongst
the youth Of our city has become so
fearfully prevalent. Only on Monday
morning last,.a boy, nine years of age,
was before the Mayor in beastly state
Of intoxication, one flask of liquor be-
ing found in his pocket, and he told
how he had got another flask besides.
Another boy, only six years Of age, was
carried home drunk from the corner Of
Front and Jefferson streets, having pro-
cured his liquor in low vile den in
that ueighoorhood. These are but two
instances which came under our imme-
diate notice, but there can bs no doubt
that every Sunday especially, hun
drsds Of boys, ranging in age from six
to sixteen years, roam our streets in a
semi-intoxicatsd condition, and the
very air is impregnated with the most
horid oaths and blasphemies. These
boys are forced into our public schools,
amongst the children Of those who are
trying to train them up in the right
way in which they should go, and ii
is by the merest accident II the latter
escapes being led astrsy by the PERM.
cious examples Of these already out
lawed boys and young men. There are
a large number of boys in this city who
are excluded from every school room on
account Of their vicious conduct, and
between the school, the Jail, and the
whipping post, there is no refuge in
which he can reform. Not long ago lad
about fourteen years of age, who had
been convicted OF petty felony was
stripped to tho waist, manacled to the
post and whipped like a beast. His
tender skin lacerated with the leathern
thong, even now bears the scars which
we're the punishments of his own dis.
grace. Adrift in the world with no.
body but thieves for his companions,
and carrying this badge Of dishonor, he
goes around the whirlpool Of excite
ment few short years, and sinks into
a pauPer's grave in Potter's field. Had
there been reformatoIy school, to
which that boy could have been sent,
he might have been, as he was young
in years, saved from the terrible or
deal through which he has passed, and
have developed into man, who would
have been an honor to society, instead
of the pest of society, which he is now,
though he is not yet fourteen years of
age. Had we reformatory school, the
boys, six and nine years of age, which
we have alluded to as entering a
drunkard's career, might yet be- saved.
1t is very evident that il there is not
reformatory school, or a house OF
refuge, or some kind of reformatory
institution provided soon, that in few
years the morals Of the young will be at
a fearfully low ebb. Even now crowds of
boys may be seen securing around the
suburbs Of the city, playing cards and
drinking the worst kind OF whiskey
from pint TASKS. The parents, poor
gullible creatures, are deceived with
the story of their boy, that he was
taking little walk over the hill, or
down to the creek, or out in the park,
and the story is believed. They only
wake up to see how remiss they have
been in their duty, when word comes
to them that their boy has been arres
ted for engaging in drunken brawl.
or robbing store. These boys, every
one ssof them, should be- in some place
where they can be kept from the evil
influences which surround them, and
where they can be kept, even from pa
rents, who, in their indulgence, forget to
teach their children the first principles
of morality.
1t was happy thought in Mr.. Bay
ard to suggest the old County buildings
at New Castle, to be used for reform
school. They are just the very thing
for that with few alterations, and were
it not so late now in the session of the
Legisl stature, W. would most assuredly
advocate Legislation upon the subject.
Delaware has jails and poorhonses for
the punishment: of criminals and the
feeding Of paupers, but not solitary
reformatory institution within her bor-
der. Now that in all probability the
Court House will be removed to
Wilmington, let the people bestir them
selves and bring all the moral aid pos
sible to bear upon tue subject of hav-
ing reformatory school, in which