Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-15

more money in buildings until this question
of whether we are on the right track or not
is settled. However that may be, feel sure
of this; that il is for the welfare OF the State
throwing out the question Of expense entirely
and considering merely the preparation of the
boys for future citizenship, to so reduce the
number that the present buildings will be am
pie.
The plan of binding out till of age do not
consider the best one, but finding a good
place for the boy for year or more, and then,
IL he does well, leaving him some voice in
the choice Of the place and in fixing the price
for his labor, but still under the care and con-
troll Of the State authorities; a combination
of the binding out and probation systems,
with as much of the latter as the case will ad-
NIT of. The reform school should be a mere
stepping-stone to the family. That is the
proper place for childhood and youth, and II
through misfortune they lose this healthy in
Auence, the State will do them the best SER
vice by restoring it as quickly as possible. In
our agricultural State, where good places are
readily found, am sure this policy will some
time be adopted to much greater extent than
heretofore Boys cannot be fitted for the
work of life within four walls, or congregated
in an institution of this kind, but only by ac-
tual contact with the world, under the best in
huences we can throw around them. Mr..
anu AlTbs IhlIDhuh hIt lhllulul huh ubNOtth
officers; il would be difficult to fill their places.
wish to say everything possible in regard to
their faithful discharge of duty rs they under
stand it. They have great enthusiasm in
their work. but this very enthusiasm possibly
leads the superintendent to oyerrate the ben
eft the institution confers upon its inmates.
From his standpoint few boys would not be
improved by a course in his school, and the
longer the better. Every man in charge of a
] gN..Ag Al "a
flourish is naturally glad to have large num-
Der under his charge and, of course, if they
are there for long term, they learn more and
can make better exhibition of the advantages
they have received. In saying this l say moth
! ing more of Mr.. Fairbank than what could be
said of almost any man in his position who
! had that great faith and enthusiasm in his
! work necessary to success.
1t does not with most boys promote manl-
ness and strength of character. 1t is an un-
natural and entirely artificial relation. We
know that keeping boy secluded from the
ordinary relations and influences of life, even
from its temptations, is not often the best way.
! They go out into the world with their phys-
cal strength and passion fully developed, but
entirely unused to the world. They have lost
their pride and feel that there is badge Of
| degradation upon them, and are weak to re-
sist temptation, and many of them fall readily
! into crime. Twelve have been in the State
prison, and nineteen or twenty in the house
of correction during the last two years and
there is room for argument, at least, that a
term in one of these institutions is more re-
formatory in effect than too long confinement
in the school.
The method of arbitrary marking, too,
while to some extent necessary, when carried
to extreme tends to develop deceit and hypoc-
risy. The honest manly boy, but with a
boys love of life and play, cannot reach the
required standard so readily as the embryo
"Uriah Heep, who can humbly and hypocrit-
cally adapt himself to the requirements.
This may be fiat blasphemy against the sys-
| tenn, but 1t is my earnest conviction from a
careful study of it as whole, from what /
have seen at the separate semi-annuRl exami-
nations of the inmates now required by the
statute, and at other visits, and from the
best examination have been able to give 10
individual cases.
Acting upon these views, | have recently
pardoned or remitted the fines of several
boys These had, in my judgment, fully sat
ished all just requirements of the law. Doubt
less / have erred in individual cases. II
would have been better if they had been
worked of by the superintendent and trus.
tees to good places, and in the ordinary course
of management But these officers honestly
differed with me, and, believing that the
greatest good as a whole, of the boys and
the State, would be served by releasing them
and having examined the cases several times
which my successor could not do at present
there was no other course for me to pursue
l do not believe q greater proportion of these
will find their way to prison than of those
discharged under ordinary methods. What
ever the result, the responsibility rests entire
ly with me-
An appropriation was made four year,
since for more sleeping room by raising the
roof Of the gun house There was nothing
done, but the appropriation was used for 9th
er purposes as the law allowed. That nigh
now be done and furnish all the necessary
sleeping room, and is the better method il
anything is done. 1t would be better to hav,
two sleeping apartments with a less number
in each than to make new building to ac
commodate the whole, but l believe will
proper legislation, and with an adminstra
tion Of the school on the plan have suggest
ed, with a view to help the boys to hell
themselves-which is the truest charity-bl
finding them employment as rapidly as pos
sible and places in good homes, that the mum
Der can be reduced below fifty and no build
ings required.
The suggestion of the trustees that NOR
land should be purchased when it can b.
done at reasonable price, meets with IN,
approval. II is much better employment TO
the boys than the shop work. The lanC
would be improved by their labor and ough
to be no loss to the State. l do not believ
it is advisable to start any system of com
plete mandatory because the number ough
to be reduced so low that there will be littl
need of any work of this kind, and that tn
J larger part of the inmates could be employed
upon the land. The trustees suggest add
tional room for officers and guests. This is
| hOWavar muph mora needed at Windsor
I What is to be the future policy of the Stat
in reference TO the school is a question o
great importance. The superintendent ha
great faith in his work and a rare faculty o
impressing others with it. 1t is magneti
and contagious. Legislative committees ar
D quite sure to agree with his views, thougl
I they are not always sustained by the calme
, judgment of the legislature.
In 1874 bill (senate bill 90) appropriate
f $4,000 to purchase new buildings and ma
= chinery at Waterbury and enlarge them fo
( the manufacture of chairs The committe
reported favorably, and after earnest oppos
/ tion and some restrictive amendments
l passed the senate. The house committee re
b ported in its favor but the house refused it
q third reading.
Q In 1876 a bill was introduced (house bi
a 103) for new buildings at Vergennes. Th
. committee reported and recommended th
/ passage of substitute bill (house bill 332
the first section of which appropriated S25
s 600 for new building for the boys depar
!, ment, of sufficient capacity to accommodate
i POO boys. The second section appropriate
: $4,000 for barn. The first section wa
4 stricken out in the house by a vote of II
f yeas to % nays, and the second section onl
= passed.
= The act of 1873 was favored by the con
a mitteo, but came near defeat. l refer
/ these bills, and especially to the one of 1871
o as foreshadowing policy which would enta
g enormous expense on the State, and with L
J. good, but positive harm, as believe.
10 The expenses now surpass the probable a
}. erage of the prison and house of correctio
.s combined. No officers could be more faitl
Il tul in the discharge of duty than the tru