New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-17
CHILDREN IN REFORMATORIES.

xLBRrDGE T. GERRY REPLIES TO Mr.. HOES STATE
MENTs.
TO the Editor OF The Trfoune'
SIR: The article in your columns TINS morn
ing entitled Work in Houses of Refuge purporine "
contain a conversation with Richard NJ HOO Is uoS'i'
ing of answer. .,....o~,os
In nv Judgment in this STATE 1t is under the eont'oio
a Board Of Managers OF great ability ana So''i pOo
tion II has an admirable superintendent anu "nque'
tionaby CORPS OF able assistants. But II posSesSeS ~
garirg defects. d. oors
The first OF these consists in the imprisonment IN c
with barred doors smiar in character 10 the ce ucu
for that purpose state prisons, OF the ch''rc
committed to its care The result is that those VINO are
youug In vice and are this institution for the puf
pose OF reformation are continually tannha"eu WIN
life in a CELL which is different as 10 It's SURROUNDINGS
only in name the abode provided In the state pea
institutions for hardened offenders. In every such case
If the child il not iucorrghy lost the danger Is he VIII
feel that he is so-hat he has taken rank with criminals
and s thcnceforth TO be regarded Of Them While
cells may be necessary for the treat en OF refractory
BOYS in any institution, II does seem TO me that
children ought not to be imprisoned IN such
cells excepting for the purpose OF punishment ann
that when evidences shown OF either desire or an
attempt reform and become dOce to the rules oil 'ne
institution relief should be given, matter what te
expense may be 10 the institution
The second defect the contract system lhs s"oe'
Soes moi nropose TO interfere with institutions where the
children are properly treated hcrn but Tie ucect III
this contract system Is this That no matter now au-
mirabe its own officers may be- FAR as their judgment
experience and discretion concerned they praccS
are made under this system the Instruments TOT
the niiiotRg OF corporal puns upon boys WY Wv
not fulfil their work under the contract 10 taH az
lion of the paid employees of the contractor hee no
answer the objection urged by Mr. LetchwoaIt
and self before the Legislature nat u ict uis
system in many institutions the machinery ehpioyeu
does not lit the child for any useful purpose thereafter 20
IL. nod Ina
either in humping water In turning crank manual
labor involving physical exercise Is undoubteiy con
ducive TO industry but there IL no surer way u lneu
ing the progress OF reform than by Keeping the OBJECT OF
the reformaton at work upon machinery or IN par
ticuar trade which is useless the nlohlenb ne
leaves the institution 1t ought not IN NY JUG
rnPnt 10 left the discretion OF any oinctrs 81 an
Institution to decide 10 whether the chiidren are
overworked not the system Is one that Is sscep
bic of abuse in this respect The object OF the contractor
is 10 get all the work e ont OF the children without
regard to results and unless the Olhcors Oh he hsutu
tOn themselves skilled (Which 1eems 10 De con
ceded they are not in the conHuct OF tnS "olh Is ,
To say that competent judges whether tha WORK
Is excessive whether It is adequate To the burden m
posed On this subject they must rely on ue oiohs o.
persons lnteresicd ana as nave st'Vea WINE tH
society propose Interfere unnecessarily IN any
way with the management Of the Institutions intended
for reformation OF children, II ccrtny WIZ 80 long
"a have the honor of presiding it, raise IFS voice
against the infection OF unnecessary physlcal pam a
suffering upon their inmates where no pfaccai peuehl
be shown 10 result 10 the cAhuicu il"H S"Sn
system ,,,,,,
funds in order 10 enable II properly l." cOuuc te IeiOt
nation of these children, IL would be wse policy on the
part that large aud liberal cOntlou-
lion is made il for that purpose There Is no OanscI
any abuse rom mis- Appropriation or the money 80 az
plied But do insist that the plea OF economy should
be permitted to weigh la opposition 10 tlc ~CIe o
the children ntrusted 10 its nave TIE honof 10
reIDain with great respect.
EIBRIDGE I. GERIiY, President etc.
Nca0- York. April u. 1882.