Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-21


: well, either at their original homes, 81
in other families where new home,
: have been found for them. This is d
: most instructive and satisfactory rec
} ord, not only in that it shows great
amount Of positive good accomplished
IN the reformation Of these girls, and Il
greater amount Of positive evil avert
, ed, but also because it shows further
that the managers agree in theory and
conform i'll practice to the opinion
expressed in my last annual message
that institution life at best is but a
poor substitute for home"
The appropriations made by the leg
islature last winter have been faithful
~ applied to the objects specified in
the act making them, but were not suf-
ficient to accomplish all that was desir-
ed. The managers will apply to you
for small additional appropriations to
complete additions and improvements,
already commenced, and their applca-
ton, doubt not, will receive as it
will merit, your favorable considera-
ton.
The whole number of boys in at
ttlldillSS az lllt GCIlONJl III w dukGSIlH
during the year was 549, the average
for the year being 427. The number
received during the year was 118,-10S
by commitment and ten by return OF
former inmates. The number released
died and escaped was l19, Of whom 104
were discharged on ticket of leave, 81
to their homes and seven to new places
on trial. The whole number received
mt this school since its opening, III
July, 1860, is ,S01. The industrial in
terests connected with this institution
are reported to be in tlourishing CON
dition, and their healthful and refor-
matory influences upon the boys can
not be eyer-estimatcd. All tile boys
work some portion Of each day, but
none Of them to exceed five hours.
and it is not to be expected that their
labor can be made To yield large pc
cuniary returns. The shops, however,
more than support themselves, but the
reports do not show their net earnings.
The expenses for the past year were
sd ,65O.78, including $3,33l.77 for re-
pairs and Improvements. The pay
ments for salaries and wages were $l5,-
223.O5, and for subsistence, exclusive
Of products of farm, S14 ,6S9.91. The
current expenses for the present year
are estimated ut SOL, 100000, which will
require an appropriation OF $i1, FOG "a,
the balance being charged to, and col
lectcd from, counties. The managers
ask Tor specific appropriations, for add
ditions, repairs and improvements, ag-
gregating so, 0500O. They also recon-
mend II modification Of section 1870 OF
the statutes concerning commitments
and forwarding II copy Of the testimony
upon which the conviction is based.
II the present system of caring for
all the classes of boys who are now
sent to this school is to be continued,
most, if not all of the appropriations
asked for by the managers ought to
be made; but If the recommendation |
am about to submit, in regard to :, dis
tinct school for
DEPENDENT CHILDREN,
shall receive favorable consideration
the greater part of the improvements
and additions estimated for may be
omitted
The experience Of Wisconsin CON
firms the teachings of experience in all
ages, to the effect that the most econo-
mical way to diminish and prevent
crime is to rescue the children from
paths which lead to idleness, vice and
criminal habits The momcntary ben
Gifts which have been conferred upon
the people Of Wisconsin by the
Industrial School for Boys, are literally
incalCulable. They are in some
measures negatively Indicated by the
comparatively limited number Of in
mates IN our state prison. think it
within truth to say that but for the good
effected by this industrial school in the
past, our criminal population would be
twice rs large MS il now is, and the eX-
pcnscs for courts, shcriils and iailS
proportlonato!y increased. Under the
present circumstances ii cost the several
counties in the state, for the year 1879,
over $3.50, 10000 to arrest, detain, con
Wet and punish criminals. Here, then,
is n direct and obvious saving of per
haps quarter of Il million dollars an
nually, but this is the least Of the ac-
cruing benefits. The great gain, even in
dollars and cents, results from having
upright, intelligent, sober and industri.
Gus citizens III place Of professional
criminals.
But may we pot do even better than
we are doing? Or, rather is not our
present system, III some respects, in
exeusably bad? There are in the Indus.
trial school ut Waukesha very many
boys sent there nominally for vag-
rancy or perhaps ineorrigibility, OF
even larceny, but really and in fact
because they had no homes or friends.
This is the record for the last year
+ committed for yagrancy, Il; for in.
, corrigihilty, -; for larceny, 81; for
burglary ;; for malicious destruction
! vi property, :; for forgery, |. OF these
Is were less than Is years Of age, II
J had NO parents living, Ii had mothers
only, II fathers only. and IN eases ol
IL the parents We're separated Many,
perhaps most of these boys were
, not in fact vicious Or lneor-
rigibe. In times past they
| would have been sent to poor-houseS-
, a most unfit place, surely, because the
| tendency Of the association and sur.
reundings was to make them confirm.
+ ed paupcrs, and the practice has beer
wisely prohibited Ivy law. But the same
limo If argument which iuSti6ps this