The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-11-17
were not forthcoming. Would this

were not forthcoming. Would this
very practicable philanthropist turn the
ceiminal boys loose upon society, rather
than put them into reiormatory insti
tuition which may perchance make hon
est men of themp
This writer saw the boys at the re-
form school, and after much meditation
over their mode of life there comes tc
the conclusion that there was some
thing radically wrong about II. Their
1t was his duty in his official capacity
TO have the wrong things altered t
better things which his deep medita
ton must have suggested to him. HI
was struck with the herding together
of the good and bad. Now we are mo-
very intimate with the management a
the reform school, but we understand
that this "herding together" is avoided
as far as possible. The boys are under
watchful care all the time, and evil
influences obviated to the extent posi-.
BILE. The object of the school is tC
reform the inmates, to make of them
good men and women, and this object
is not to be attained in the case of the
bad ones by shutting them away entire.
ly from good examples of their own
ages. To u large extent this Is an evil
inherent in all reformatory institutions,
and much must depend upon the char.
acter and efficiency of the officers in
charge of the school whether it becomes
really evil in its results.
We do not understand the animus of
the warfare on the reform school. To
a certain extent reform schools are an
experiment. Int there can he no dnnht
that some suitable place must be pro.
vided especially for the criminal waits
of society who are too young to de-
serve the punishment accorded to older
and more responsible criminals. In
theory, and in the intent of the law
the reform school is such a place. II
any one knows better disposition tc
make of criminal boys and girls be
would do well to lay it before us. I'm.
til he does SO he has no right to snarl
about the reform school. This writer
whom we have quoted, in another part
of his letter reflects as follows:
1t may be source of pride to the
state to have these fine prison build
ings at Windsor. Rutland and Yer.
gennes, but it would be more to her
pride and honor if she did not need
any of them. Would it not be better
to do more for the common schools at
home that our children may be formed
Alright in the first instance and not need
reforming at Vergeliies or anywhere
else.
The ordinary reader will fail TO see
much practical sense in these amiable
observations. The cold fact is that we
have criminals, and we must make
some disposal of them. 1t is all very
true that if we begin right, at home
and the common schools, with every
child, if evil examples and untoward
circumstances were not in the way, if
all parents and all acquaintance were
angels, if temptation never assailed UNI
prepared weakness, if human nature
were only rec instructed to suit the
theoretical views of amiable philan-
thropists, it would be vastly better all
around, and reform schools, work.
houses aud prisons would be superflu.
GUS. But until the time arrives when
there shall be no more criminals and
scoundrels, we think common sense
will he on tho sida of keeping raforma-
tories in efficient working order.
We repeat, we do not understand
the animus of these attacks upon
The reform school. 1t is foolish to say
we ought to get along without it. If
we must have it, it should be made the
best possible institution for its purpos-
es, even If it costs the state much mon
ey. What is the cost of the reform
school, compared with.the value to SO
ciety of future member of it changed
from a probable criminal to a useful
and law-obeying citizen? The inmates
ought to live with the best of surround
ings, provided with ample instruction,
and maintained long enough in the
right way to insure of their remaining
in it when they go out into the world.
Is this growing directed against the
mere cost of the reform school, or is it
simply a preliminary note intended to
awaken public suspicion and dissatis.
faction with the present excellent man.
upuInrnt ur tiIe lnstItution. with VITO
to aid some outside aspirants for the
honors and emoluments pertaining to
positions in the same?
THE SHADOW ON THE Now.-There
isn't much snow yet, but there Is q
heap of shadow-and the shadow is the
shadow of Christmas, which, like other
coming events, projects its umbra in
front of it. In levery family two i'm
portant problems are fastening to
solution and while the elder members
are asking themselves, "Whst shall we
give?" the younger are no less eagerly
specializing as to what they shall get.
The boys drop vague hints of the desi-
rability of skates and sleds, and books
of adventures and exciting narrative;
while the little girls are bemoaning
the dilapidated condition of the present
generation of dolls, and artifnlly try
ing to inveigle mamma into that phrase
so full of promises, Wen see at
Christmas-time."
IL really is no easy task to select q
line of Christmas presents, so as to in
sure that every little one shall get Just
what it will most appreciate, snd none