Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-08-12

emerge greater adopts in crime than when
they entered The boys might possibly re-
form in the state prison, but there was small
chance for reformation in a county jail II
seemed clear to Mr.. Dorr chat Judge Kellogg's
decision was both wise and merciful but 1t
seemed clearer that the highest interests Of
the state demanded the immediate establish
ment of home or house Of refuge for the
reception of such children and youth as for
lack of il were condemned TO the prison or
the jail. He Immediately opened correspon-
dence with our president, Mr.. Sanborn who
kindly furnished him with a complete history
of the noble charities of Massachusetts,. At
ter close study Of these, he subsequently laid
the whole matter before Gov. Dillingham;,
who, in his next message to the legislature,
warmly urged the establishment of what is
now known as the Vermont reform school.
An act of incorporation was passed that year,
n farm house and lands were bought in Water
bury, and the school at once went into active
business, under the earnest and enthusiastic
supervision of Rev. A. G.. Pease, who had
been greatly instrumental in its establishment.
The next year the committee appointed by
the senate reported 10 boys in the school, and
declared that it chad fairly begun its mission
of usefulness TO those who otherwise were
candidates for a career of crime and infemy."
They also advocated the establishment Of a
similar institution for girls, either in connec-
ton with the one at Waterbury, or elsewhere,
as might be expedient, but did not recommend
an appropriation at that time. Mr.. Pease's
connection with the institution continued
about four years. He was succeeded by W.
G.. Fairbank, who had been for six years an
officer aud teacher in the Massachusetts re-
form school at Westboro. On the night Of
Dec. II, 1874, the reform-school building,
with everything in it save the inmates and the
ifrlN al, - IA
sumed by fire. A special session of the legis-
lature was called, and, to sum up in few
words, it was determined to remove the school
from Waterbury to Vergennes. Purchase
was made Of the United States arsenal grounds
and l04 acres of land adjoining. The arse
nal was converted into workshop and school
room, a new building was erected, and the
officers quarters were SO altered as to make a
convenient and comfortable school for girls.
From this moment the institution started on
a new lease of life under most favorable aus
pices. The latest report of the trustees gives
the whole number of pupils, July 81, 1880,
as l03, of whom 10 were girls; but private
letter from the superintendent shows de.
crease during the last year. At present there
are SO boys and Is girls. Since the first open
ing of the school it has received 594 scholars.
The reform school is often classed with PEE
nal institutions This ought not so to be.
It's mission Is 10 save, not 10 punish 10 help
aud build up, not to cast down and disgrace.
Its discipline is, so far as it can possibly be,
the discipline of the family. Its methods are
the methods Of the father and mother, rather
than of the judge and avenger. Bolts and
bars, high fences and locked gates are not in
its plan. 1t seeks TO rule by love, and by APP
peals to the best that lies dormant in the
heart of each lad and lassie, rather than by
the terrors of the law. Further details it is
not mine to give. l understand that our su-
perintendent, Mr.. Fairbank, will be present
at your conference, and he will gladly fill out
for you the picture have but outlined
Most schools reckon their prosperity by the
increase Of their scholars Shall we not rath-
or reckon ours by their decrease? ? A blessed
| thing will it be for our state when from every
district school and academy and college shall
have flowed forth such benefcent influences
that the reform school shall be thing of the
past, and the old arsenal shall be left to the
undsturbed companionship of bats and owls.