Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-05
MAINE STATE REFORM SCHOOL.


II. Haskell and Frederick Fox commits
sion to examine the condition OF Maine
State Reform School. These gentlemen
held nine sessions, as a commission, anu
AFTER over two months Of elaboration aud
Investigation. have finally decided 70 re-
port a. individuals and not As commits
sion. We are unable TO surmise why this
course has been pursued. All three gen
tlemen agree that they found the boys
clean, healthy, well cared for, and gener-
ally contented and satisfied with their con-
dltion. This relates 10 the present man
agemeut. At the same time, they all re-
cord their disapproval OF the system on
which the school il conducted-which Is
not on the shoulders OF the present man
ayement, but upon the Legislature and
people OF the State who have allowed 1t to
grow up.
five except few sporadic cases OF Sc
we're discipline, inflicted by under officials
who were reprimsnded or discharged
for the ssme-the only fault found IS with
the law which sends as companion 10
the homeless vagrant or trusnt, one guilty
OF then, or even OF manslaughter. The
cells, tower and closet, 10 which these
gentleman object, are necessary for the
subjugation OF the latter class OF crim'-
mails, as they practically admit But they
say such things should not be admitted to
the Ref0r1a School, neither should class
OF hardened criminals be sent 10 this iu-
stitut,on. They also mark for eondem-
nation such punishments as forcing The
boys 10 stand with their hands TO their
toes. washing their mouths with soap or
pepper for profanity and obscenity; but
As these are common modes OF punish
ment in families and schools, we believe
that the commissioners are moved by too
high notions in regard TO the treatment OF
street Arabs"
In theory il is very tne 20 picture the
State rs a parent TO these poor waits. 10
practice 4, is impossible. 10 order 10 car
~ out this theory, the boys must be plac-
ed, each by himself under the care of one
teacher or In q family, where he would be
treated as son. IL is impossible, In al
Institution OF this character, 10 give each
boy that attention which is necessary TO
attain the best results. There are lis boys
In the State Reform School. over them.
the building, farm, chair shop, and all, the
Superintendent, has charge. Under him are
Q matron, one assistant, two teachers, two
oyerseers OF chairshop, one lady in charge
OF dormitory, one in charge OF sewing
room, two cooks a lauudreSs, one watch
man, farmer, teamster, shoemaker, engi-
neer, and gardner. or these but nine
have any control over the boys; and. as
We understand II two OF these, the teach
ers, are thus engaged for but four hours
per day. Thus, practically, seven persons
have charge Of lis boys, and with so many
departments looking 20 him, IL seems as II
the Superintendent could fnd time 70 give
them but little personal attention. The
only way 10 control so large company
OF boys, so slightly Offered, Is by strict
rules which must be thoroughly enforced
II is impossible TO study particularly the
character OF each boy and stop TO devise
some method adapted 20 his peculiar ma
ture In each case. As in other large schools
where there are few teachers, the rules
must be obeyed promptly and the laws
must be enforced at all times. Any laxity
OF discipline, even among the best OF schol-
ars, will destroy the usefulness OF CON-
mon school. How much more rigidly
must the laws be enforced in q school
where only the very worst boys are in st
tendance, we leave those who know most
OF school discipline TO determine.
After reading all the testimony In the
case. and the report OF each individual
commissioner, We believe that the investi-
CATION has showa our State Reform School
10 be q well managed institution of its
kind. Excessive punishments have been
rare-mueh less frequent than one would
expect TO find them in a Reform School,
with so many boys and so few oyerseers.
The boys have many privileges and adj
vantages never enjoyed before, and
which they probably would not have OBJ
tained elsewhere. They have been vel
clothed, well housed, well fed and subject
eli to wholesome discipline, which will
teach them the first lesson Of success in
life-prompt obedience. They may have
had bad company in their fellow inmates
but we doubt II the influence has been sc
bad upon the most sensitive, restricted n
the conversation has been by good law:
and by wholesome supervision as a FREE
life upon the streets, associating will
whomsoever they come in contact, with
out let or hindrance."
We believe that the institution as man
aged, has fully carried out the wishes o
our people in regard to these young con
victs, and that IL has been for their gooS
10 spend few years within its walls.
The commissioners complain tina
the most hardened and refractory boy:
are placed in classes with those more sus
ceptible OF better Influences and highsl
motives. This might be improved by
sending the worst ofthem to the State Pris
or, but here again, we should have tn,
complaint, that the young were placed il
contact with the most hardened Of crimi
ais, So, you see, it is hard matter to 81