The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-30

| boy wore his until apprehendeG in an attempt
to burn the school,
To Commissioner Gould-The irons were
never put upon any other boys.
To Commissioner Fox-One boy ran away
| with the iron on; the other wore it until he
was taken away and sent to jail for conspiracy
to burn the building. The boy that ran away
| was not reeaptured.
| Witness had been in attendance upon the
| meetings of the trustees when matters OF
| punishment were discussed. Had only talked
with the trustees in regard to the severity OF
the punishments, except in a general way.
| To Commissioner Fox-In answer to the
| question have you at any time objected to the
trustees In regard to the punishments, witness
| said that he had not, except that he had con-
stantly and urgently advocated the establish
ment OF a house near by for the better boys.
He had not said anything in regard to the
| discipline of the school,
Remembered one case of punishment that
he thought was too Severe-the case of stand
| ing boy all night in the dormitory Spoke to
| Mr.. Harrington of it at the time and he agreed
| with him. 1t was IAN unauthorized punish
ment. DON'T think the trustees knew of it at
| the time. They did know OF the punishments
In the cells and in the tower. Don't know
whether the trustees examined the punishment
book or not but had seen DIR. Thompson look
ing over it.
Certain omissions in the record of the
trustee book were explained by Mr.. Donahue.
To Commissioner Gould-Could not state
positively that the trustees had seen the boys
with iron on their legs but thought they had,
all OF them, Mr.. Donohue certainly. Mr..
Donohue said he saw the iron for the first time
and asked witness if the trustees had not no.
ticed the iron and referred to the clanking of
it about the roum. Witness did not recollect
of showing the trustees around without telling
them OF boys being confined in the tower or
cells. Witness was not the person to make
recommendations or suggestions TO the trustees.
He could not swear positively that any mem
Der of the board had not seen the iron belt be-
before, but thought they had.
MISS SARAH P. HARRINGTON,
daughter of the Superintendent, was sworn
and stated that she came to the school by re-
quest of the trustees. Witness read long
statement concerning her experience in the
school. The boys were bad but there were
pleasant features about the school in noticing
the improvement.
Commissioner Haskell said the paper was
ness was questioned in regard to the loss of a
handkerchief, which had been stolen by boy
and her name torn from the corner. the hand
kerchief being afterwards found in the boys
pocket. Miss Harrington thought that all the
boys were more or less affected by acts of kind
ness and talking to them pleasantly. AS to re-
Igious influence, the boys had been veryimuch
improved. 1lney WOuiu not AZ one Jlm0 look
at paper that had the word christian" up
on it. Now they examine such papers as well
as the secular ones. The conduct of the boys
when being entertained was not unreasonable.
To Commissioner Haskell-In Sunday school
the boys seem Influenced for good.
Evening Session.
SUPERINTENDENT HARRINGTON EXAMINED.
Commissioner Haskell When did you get
that instrument (referring to the iron belt upon
the table)
Mr.. Farrington-I sent to New York for it.
The Superintendent further testified that he
did not send to any penal institution for it but
found it on sale, and thought it would answer
such purpose was he wished to accomplish. He
subsequently bought lighter one. Paid for it
himself and charged it to the State. The
trustees knew of it. The boys were present
when the trustees were there several times.
They did net object to the iron or he should
have remembered it,
Council finally audit all the bills and they must
have seen the charges. Thought that all the
trustees of the school must have seen the iron.
Did not consult them about purchasing them.
Did not remember what the iron cost The
bill was sent to the Executive Council.
FRED OWEN,
cross-examined by Commissioner Haskell. Had
been in the school since December, 1881. Was
foreman of chair shop at $25 per month. The
average number of his working boys was about
sixty. In his duties in the yard he usually had
to hold about ninety boys. Had charge of the
dining room at dinner. There were then
about 112 boys. Hours of duty in the yard
were enumerated. Had to give about five and
one-half honrs of duty in the school. If the
weather was pleasant on Saturdays, the boys
had all the afternoon in the yard if uDpleas-
ant in the schoolroom.
Had been made aware some thine last winter
that as an officer he was not allowed to inhict
corporal punishment upon the boys. The
perintendent had told him not to whip the
boys. The ''stints'' of the boys are arranged
by witness and submitted to the superinten-
dent and the assistant. The highest stint is
"a. 1t has been increased from 20. The low
est is 8; the average about 49, The boy is in
formed of his stint at the beginning of the
week. If boy does not do his stint he is
made to mediate until he makes up his
his work is made up. They mediate until
$50 or 10 o'clock. Has known of boys being
confined in cells for not doing their stints, by
direction of the superintendent If boy runs
short of cane and gets ia debt for ten strands,
he is charged with an extra chair. He has had
boys stand on the line in the yard for two
months for not doing their extras Boys on
the line stand still and look at the house, and
are not allowed to indulge in any play. The
boy Chambers, who stood two months, had a
stint of "a chairs per week. He is about IA
years old Gould punish boys for minor often
ces in the shop, by giving them extra chairs or
standing them with their hands to their toes.
Had used the strap upon the boys after he
knew the rule and regulations, without think
ing about them. Witness described his diff
culties with the boys in the shop. They were
mostly mischievoas and saucy, and sometimes
they would steal each others cane. For ten
dement's a boy is put back in his grade. 1t was
formerly the custom towhip boys when they had
whipping has been done away with. 1t was
abolished about six months ago.
H. M. GRIaGs,
the engineer, desired to amend his statement
by explaining that he did hear the boy Rankin
say something to Miss Swan to the effect that
when his folks came there he would have her
turned out. Witness also explained, in regard
TO the rules as to turning on steam, showing
that the BOY Rankin could not shave testified
truthfully.
After consultation as tosmutual convenience
o'clock p. M, to Commissioner Haskell's office
in this city, when Superintendent Harrington
and Assistant Superintendent Wentworth will
be again heard and other witnesses will be ex-
amined.
Lectures.
The second lecture in the Harry W. French
course will be given at City Hall this evening.
The subject will be Beneath the Himalsyas'
The lecture will be illustrated by fine stereopti-