Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-15

The District school. and Schools Else
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the Sexe~-Thc
Waiter Of Employ meni, New Build
ings, Ac., &c.


Waiter of Employ n,eni, New build
ings, &c., &c.
The committee appointed by the trustees Of
the Reform School in August last-of which
mention was made in The STAR at that time
to make inquiries into the workings and man.
aeemcnt of similar institutions in other parts of
the country, have made report. which was
read before the last meeting OF the trustees
They state that they visited ST. Marys Indus
trial Home School and House of Refuge in
Baltimore, Nd; House of Refuge. Philadelphia:
New York House of Refuge. at Randalrs Island
and the New York Catholic Protectory at West
Chester, Ny; House of Reformation. Deer
Island, Boston harbor. Mass; Marsella-street
House, Boston, and Massachusetts, State Re-
form School at WestbOro. Mass, in
all of which they were received courteouslv and
every facility offered for thorough exaInina-
tlOn especially of everything bearing uss,n the
subject of the Industries of these institutions.
They were particularly impressed with the SUI
periOr class of men placed i'm charge of these in
stitutions-men of ability and force. practical
anu business men. who surround themselves
with subordinates of more than average
intelligence and capacity. They found much
higher standard of education in the reform
schools than has been hitherto aspired to i'm this
District In instances where boy showed any
particular ability in mathematics drawing or
painting. he especially encouraged i'm it.
and additional instructions given in those
branches. In few Instances the boy was sent
outside the institution for instruction. and the
RESULT was most happy
TIE BEAsS BAND POWERFUL. AGENT OF
REFORMATION.
Music is recognized i'm all institutions as not
only source of great pleasure. but as a pow
erfu agent of reformation, To this end brass
bands Gin some instances numbering d. or 80
pieces are organized. and such boys as show
any fOndness OF ability for music are permitted
to learn to play upon some instrument. The
committee recommend the formation of q band
at the District reform school. with a regular
drill master, at an early day believing that its
moral effect upon the school will more than COM
penSatc for the expense.
As the subject of dOrnitOries and the system
of double and single beds had been discussed
frequently by the trustees. the committee made
ii the subject of Investigation In no instance
did they find the double bed used and i'm no in
stance did they find it was customary to allow
the boys IN their dormltOrieS without watch
man. They also found it to- be the general GUS
tom to separate the smaller from the larger
boys, not only not allowing them to sleep in
the same dorifiitories, but keeping them apart
as much AZ possible during the day. at work and
at play. This might require additional dormi-
tories, teachers and watchmen. but it is thought
10 be matter of sufficient Importance to war
rant the additional expense The committee
b. practicable to make this change. but We be-
lieye it to be of the greatest Importance to
adopt it as soon possible. 1t is within our
power TO adopt the single beds, and We would
recommend it at once
The subject of
GIRLS REFORM SCHOOL
has been under discussion in this District for
several years. That the necessity for such an
Institution exists no one can doubt There have
been many objections raised and doubts eX-
pressed as to the prOpriety of building sep
arate institution for girls, and mourning the
heavy expense necessary for two distinct insti-
tutions, &c. We found generally that the two
sexes are combined under one institution,
although entirely separate and distinct, with no
communication whatever between each other.
except IN the chapel 1t is found to be of very
great advantage to have the girls do all the
washing and ironing. as we'll as the making of
Clothing for the boys. in addition to their own
thus giving large number of girls work. which
Will be of advantage to them in the future as
well as relieving the boys of that kind of work
and permitting large number of them to follow
such other pursuits and trades as would be to
their future benefit. The combination of the
two work well i'm the institutions we saw
that We were much impressed with it, and
while being hardly prepared to recommend its
adoption here. we would respectfully present the
subject to the board for their cons Iteration. 1t
would necessitate the erection ''Of new build
tngs, &c"
In concluding
THE SUBJECT OF NEW BUILDINGS
the committee recommend the immediate
adoption by the building committee of a plan
for the enlargement of the institution for the
future to a capacity of accommodation for eco
inmates. if necessary-with chapel, hospital and
such other buildings would be required in a
we'll organized Institution of the kind
Referring to the truisIn that the easiest way
to cure crime is TO prevent it. the committee
say: ''Our streets are filed with boys and girls
starting u course of CRIME and shame This
institution should be shelter capable of taking
much larger number than we have heretofore
Thought of. and giving them such mental moral
religious and industrial training as they could
not otherwise obtain. and from here sent out i'm
due time to good places on FARMS &c, where
they will grow TO be virtuOus and useful citi-
Zens- Referring to
THE SUBJECT OF INDUSTRIES
the committee state that in some of the larger
institutions shoe making willow work, print
ing. sleigh and sled making knitting stockings.
brush making and chair Gaming are carried on
successfully, and in some instances are produc-
tive of some profit. They regret to state, how
ever, that in some institutions the contract sys-
TEN prevails. which the committee regard as in
general prejudcial alike to discipline and the
reformation of boys. They hold that labor should
less labor is as demoralizing to an inmate of a
reform school as it is to free man. Labor
should be of such a character as would attract
and interest the boy and induce in him habits of
labor. so that he vii! realize that by acquiring
this habit he will not only be able to earn corr
Portable support when discharged but be
strengthened IN his seii-reliance.
The committee state in connection with the
mode of organizing and managing labor that
they have come to the conclusion that shoe
making combines more advantages than any
other trade. and they recommend its adoption.
A really sale for shoes is found in our market
They suggest that for the present the manufac-
ture of ladies' and misses shoes or ties be first
adopted a simple and easier TO learn.
They state 1T will be absolutely necessary to
secure "a man To take entire charge of the work
who is a practical shoemaker, and one who is of
unboUnded integrity. as we'll as one who is per-
fectly familiar with the machinery to be used
and who has the capacity TO conduct a manu-
featuring business Steps have been taken to-
ire nqFSa ifsh. ,,IA L..I