Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-02-12
A Visit to the Reform School.

Messrs Editors We made flying visit to
Nergennes few days since. As we like to see
all that is to be seen when in strange place, we
called to see the celebrated Reform School, under
the superintendent Of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Fair
bank. During the session of the legislature we
heard an interesting debate about an dppropria-
ton for nelc Juilding. Some thought the pres
ent buildings were amply sufficient. Others
deemed them totally inadequate for the real
needs Of the school and the harmonious develop
ment OF the proper idea of ieformatory nstitu-
tons. After all, the great objection seemed to
hinge upon the point that it would cost too much
To us this appeared passing strange, and we
almost wished we were member, that we might
make speech upon the subject. A state with
the prestige that Vermont enjoys among her
| compeers should not for a moment think of being
parsimonious in her expenditure for public i'm
provements. Vermont is very properly called
1.-THE star that never SETS and is surely, in
many respects, the model state Of the Union,
| and should be able to point with pride to her
public institutions of whatever kind. A model
| state, out Of debt as Vermont is claimed to be
substantially, should have her public institutions
as good as the best in the land-plain massive
and substantial in every particular.
| The school as it now is surely is one of which
any state might be proud We have no bias in
the matter, never having seen Mr., or Mrs. Fair
bank until we called there to see the sights ="
at the Reform School We have visited many
| reformatory institutions in our own and in other
lands, and carefully studied their workings and
| their influence upon the inmates and the COM
munity where they were located. For here after
| all, is to be seen the beneficent results of the
whole system, II the inmates go forth from
| them, mingle with the citizens and become re-
| liable and useful members of society, the evil
dences of their usefulness are apparent to all.
| We consider the Vermont Reform School a
| model and that Mr. and Mrs. Farbank stand in
the front rank of those directing and controlling
reformatory institutions. They surely both pos
| sess remarkable executive ability with prompt
decision and moral force of character that lead,
not compel the pupils to a ready and cheerful
| acquesence in all the rules of the school. Not to
make this article too long, we would briefly say
that the accommodations are far too limited to
develop and give full play to the many points,
seemingly of small importance, yet often upon
them may hinge the whole system of reform in
its progressive development in Vermont and other
states as we'll Everything in and around the
neatness The pupils were plainly but comfort
ably clad cleanly in appearance and respectful in
manner We were surprised to see so much reg.
ularity and order, with such complete and efficient
sanitary arrangements as met us at every turn
They seemed perfect in themselves, and were car.
ried out with the utmost precision. We hope II
we ever return to the Green Mountain State again
to see ample provisions for all the needs and con
venences OF real reform school which may be @
model in the state, whose star OF progress never
sets. Every inch OF the present space they have
there is utilized to the best advantage, and
great many more inches could be most profitably
occupied. Let liberal and munifcent appropria
tons be made, and buildings erected, and such i'm.
proyements made in the accommodations as will b,
a credit TO the state and an ornament TO the coun
try. We think 1t is Az near perfection as 1t car
can be with its present limits. II 1t were not 81
cold we should really like to go there aud be re
formed for teio months, under the genial influ
enees OF the pace-thats all
One thing we consider OF great importance /,
the perfect working of the Reform School-that is
there should be "A hospital built at once, with am
, pie provisions TO accommodate all who may nee,
medical treatment. II would be a terrible calam
ity should an epidemic break out in the schoo
with its present limited facilities to meet tn
> emergency
The state should insist that all its public build
= ings, designed to be of a permanent character
. | should be either stone, brick or iron. Let thi
subject be brought before the taxpayers OF tn
state in proper manner and we are sure the
y will do what is proper to be done In the premise
see II they do not, ST. ELMO.
|