The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-11-29

required to perform the allotted task whilst so
confined, supplied with no bed, no compan-
ons to speak with, no books or reading mat
ter, no water to battle hands or face, may we
not enquire if our jails or State prison intilct
puniShments more severe than thisr
Or when Griffin appears with his iron
weight of eleven pounds, worn night and day,
for three long months or more, for attempting
to escape from this schools, is it not mockery,
worse than mockery, for the State to adopt the
words that these inmates shall lind this place
rather refuge from danger, than prison for
punishment"
But truce to the contemplation of exhibit
tions of this nature and admitting that des.
perate characters are inmates of this institu-
ton and require severe discipline, what then
is to he done? The correct answer to this is,
the superintendent and trustees had and have
the power to send any inmate from the school
to serve the alternative sentence in Jail or State
prison, and it was and is their plain, unmis-
taxable duty so to do, if any inmates pres
ence is an obvious injury and detriment to the
school, or dangerous to the welfare of the in
stition.
This commission is aware that some of the
boys are untruthful and deceptive, others
coarse and brutal, others destructive and in
different as to to the rights of persons, or to
" orns and deeds make but little impression.
II may be there are some who under circum-
stanbes considered by them to be advantage
GUS to their escape, would not hesitate to
commit crimes which might result in the TAX
ing OF life, or destruction of large amount Of
property, and the enquiry is made what can
be done with such as these? The answer is,
self-presivatien is or should be the law
within the school as we'll as without, When
this has ACCOMPLISHED its work, then let such
off fort nit N ho dalivarad RI "a To-
This commission is not nnmindful of the
varied duties and responsibilities required of
the superintendent of the demands made
upon his time and patience; that he must act
promptly, with calmness and good judgement;
decide oftentimes between officer and inmate;
provide for the school with economy, be in
structor and farmer, and cont oil to a great
extent the finances of the institution. When
these and other duties devolving upon the
superintendent are considered, 1t is not sur
prising that errors abound and wrongs are
committed.
Nor is the commission unmindful of the ex-
pense the State incurs in providing these chill
dren with so many privileges. To some of
them it is the only home they have known; to
others undoubtedly it is a better home than
they have left. Clothed fed, educated and
supported at the expense OF the State, larger
expressions of gratitude should come to the
knowledge of the State, and means be devised
by which the State should have better returns
for the outlay, exertions, and labor made in
behalf of this school.
Indirectly growing out of these severe pun
ishments and discipline of the school, the
question has been asked upon whom does the
responsibility rest for this severity and cruelty?
The commission is aware of the investiga-
ton made by the trustees some few months
since, of the difference of the opinions then
entertained by them of the alleged abuses; of
the position Trustee Donahue then and up to
the present time maintained in condemning
m of thaea nuniShnnanta. 0f the diecharOa
of MI. Freese who had severely punished many
of the boys, and of the better condition of the
school sincs that investigation took places but
previous to this, what evidence is there as to
the monthly examinations of the school by one
or more of the trustees, of the examinations of
the inmates in the school room, workshop and
register, and the regularly kept record of their
visits in the books of the superintendent; or
of the thorough examination of the school in
all its departments as the quarterly meetings,
by majority of the board of trustees, in COM
pliaDce with the requirements of the statutes
of the State? If these required duties has been
carefully performed by them, and the discp-
line of the school, offences committed, and
punishments imposed had been fully known,
discussed and controlled, this investigation
would not have occurred
If the superintendent OF this school assumes
the responsibility of these severe measures and
puDishments alluded to; If he answers they
are not of unusual severity, nor greater than
appeal to the honor and sense of right within
the boys; that to promote industry, maintain
order and secure obedience to the rules and
regulations, he must occasionally resort to ex-
IRENE means; if he justifes and approves OF
the treatment and puniShments the boys have
testified to, and says that these must continue
if order is desired and maintained, then his
views are so at variance with the ideas and ex-
pressed words of those who early manifested an
interest in this school, and with the views of
fhe rrscln{ NH oh 1a nd he.
laws establishing the same, that his resignation
should be requested and accepted, with the
Immediate discharge OF ono or more OF his
subordinates.
Inasmueh as one of the honorable Conncil
advised this commission to make such sugges-
tons as they thought proper, we now, in clos
ing this report, recommend alterations in the
laws of the State SO that radical results will
take place in the discipline and management
of the school; in the duties of the trustees and
officers; in establishing a larger number of
trades, employments and pursuits.
We recommend q trial of the Home plan,"
or Family system, similar to those in Massa-
chusetts, New Jersey, Ohio or Illinois: tie re-
lection of criminals convicted of felonies the
separation of offenders when received, into
different classes and locations; the annhila-
ton of cells, tower, shackles and solitary con-
finement; that all personal chastisements shall
only be inflicted for some high misdemeanor,
or repeated offense, and then only on the re-
corded order of the superintendent, and in his
presence, or that of his assistant. Appeal to
the sense of honor or right, manliness and JUS
tice of the boys; and If these elements cannot
be aroused and stimulated by oft repeated exer-
tions and "patent continuance in well doing"
remove such inmates to places designed for
them by the laws of the State.
Finally let the design of this school be &C.
complshed as it was in its origin intended by
the State, and as set forth in the words of the
commissioners of a similar institution in the
Com mon WEALTH of Massachusetts az follows.
1.-THE design of this institution is the reform of
juvenile offenders. 1t is to take those VINO
might otherwise be- subjected to the degrade
ton of prison discipline and separate them
from vicious influences, to teach them their
duty to God and their fellow beings, prepare
them to earn an honest livelihood by honorable
industry in some trade, or agricultural employ
ment, and to give them such an intellectual
education as will fit them properly to discharge
the common business of life"
Respectfully submitted.
FREDERICK Fox.