Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-02
Maine State Reform School.
ANNUAL Report OF THE
TRUSTEES. SUPERISTESDExT, TREASURER
TEACHERS AND PHYSICIAN


TRUSTEES, SUPERINTESDEST, TREASURER
TEACHERS AND PHYSICIAN.
The Maine State Reform School has taken
high rank among kindred institutions for Its
methods and system of management. and the
twenty-seventh annual report of the officers
will be read BY our citizens with great inter-
est. We append brief extract;
GENERAL ISFoRxkrIOS.
Located in the town of Cape Elizabeth.
four miles from Portland Post office ad-
dress. Portland. Maine School established,
1850 First boy received November II. 1888
Whole number to date, 1853. Cost OF build
ings, $4,000. They are Of brick and con-
sist of large octagonal tower, with two
wings and projection for officers quarters
Cost Of location. 5000. Presented to the
State by the city of Portland; reverts TO city
when not used for the purpose indicated
Farm contains 160 acres. Boys may be SEN
fenced between the ages Of eight and sixteen
wears. Sunday school Sabbath morning;
preaching service in the afternoon. School
four hours a day. Good library Of fifteen
hundred volumes The interest on the be-
guest Of seven hundred dollars. by Isaac San
ford Of Manchester, is expended annually for
the purchase of new books. Meetings of the
Trustees, third Tuesday Of February, May,
August and November.
TRUSTEES REPORT.
The graded system has been in operation
for several years, and gives general satisfae-
ton. The good results of the past year. as
we'll a. Of former years, testify to its su-
periority.
The boys are divided into three grades ac-
cordlng 10 department, and in each grade
there are three divisions, 4 being the high
est Il the intermediate, and E the lowest.
Every bov whose conduct for q month has
been good, is promoted to the next division.
II he il in the highest division a. of grade
two or three, he is promoted to the lowest
division (C) of the grade next higher; If IN
grade | A, he advances to honor If IN honor
to honor one, and so on. For continued or
gross misconduct boys NAV be reduced from
one grade to another.
|. i. the aim of the institution TO secure the
soundest moral, intellectual and physical
condition, consistent with the means pro-
vided.
Alta special meeting Of the Board Of Trus-
ices March oath, Mr.. Joseph X. Harrington
of Orono, was appointed Superintendent to
take the place of Col. George W. Parker
retired April 18th. Mr.. harrington entered
upon the duties of his office at the same
time.
The Assistant Superintendent and the other
resident officers of the school are highly
complimented BY the Trustees for their
earnestness and devotion in applying them
selves to their peculiar work.
Last year, a sudden increase of sickness
in the school excited alarm. Several cases
of sickness were attended with fatal results
A rigid inspection, to detect the origin Of the
disease, revealed the fact that the sewerage
system was very imperfect. The Trustees
stated this fact in their last annual report
and requested an appropriation sufficient to
remedy this defect But this request was
not granted. The Trustees, however, real
izing that further neglect in this direction
would be criminal. and believing
that the next Legislature would
Justify their action, and make provis-
ion for the expense, ordered complete
change in the sewerage system, and a supply
of the most approved traps for all the sinks
and openings, even at the risk Of n debt.
This work has been completely and, as
result, the physical condition of the school
is very materially improved.
In 1873, the Trustees taking into account
the financial condition of the State. the high
rate of taxes, the small income of the tax
PAYERS etc, anticipated general reduction
in State expenditures, and adjusted the ex-
penses of the school to meet the emergency.
The salaries were reduced. all the expenses
were cut down, and upon this basis the legis-
lature was asked for lesser appropriation
than had ever been granted the school under
the present system of management. The re-
suit was the legislature appropriated sum
even smaller than was called for.
The system has been interfered with, and
repairs have been postponed for lack of
funds.
The Trustees wish to state in positive
manner that the Institution cannot be run
successfully without an annual appropriation
from the State, of twelve thousand dollars
(sl2. 900 OO) for current expenses, and there
fore recommend that the legislature appro-
pirate, for the year 1881.
r6r current expenses &l2 900 90
Foo outstanding bills 1900 90
Total $4,000 90
And for the year lSs.;
For current expenses $4,000 90
For painting the buildings and other re-
pairs 1000 90
Total $4,000 90
There is a pressing need for a supply of
pure water This can be obtained at a cost
Of 800 per year. Important repairs are i'm
peratively needed upon the buildings.
TREAsuRER's REPORT.
Hon. Albion Little, Treasurer. reports as
follows, viz:
Receipts from December /, 1879 TO
December l, 1880 sio.4l .o5
Expenditures from December I,
1872. to December l. isso. si9.25a.3o
Balance in Treasury. &O4s1.-6
SrPERrSTESpENrs REroRr.
The Superintendent report includes man,
statistical tables of great interest. of which
We can give but synopsis.
Number Of boys committed the past year,
A. Number Of boys in school, December
LIST. 1850. 100. During the past year have
escaped, and l. have been discharged. The
average time in school of those who have
left the past year has been three years. five
months, and eleven days. OF the entire num-
Der committed the past year, p were COM
mitted for larceny. and for truancy. Dur
ing the past year. there have been admitted
from the several counties. as follows
Cumberland, 2l; Kennebec ); Knox = /:
Oxford | Penobscot ; Sagadahoc 3: Som
erset .: Waldo |; Washington ).
OF those committed the past year there
were born in New Brunswick |: IN Maine.
SO: in Massachusetts,, .: in Connecticut. | ::
in Wisconsin. | /: nationality not known. 3 of
which were ten wears of age and under. and
hpt ono oxor 6f9aop. how,