The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-28

plants made gave each party complaining hear
ing, and after due inquiry found but little ground
membered that every boy in the Reform School is
there by sentence of the for the violation of
law, and therefore presumably unaccustomed to
recognize the propriety of obedience to wholesome
regulations.
The food provided for the boys seemed to be of a
good quality and sufficient in quantity. The insti-
tuiion appears to be well and humanely managed
The superintendent and his assistant think are
the right men in the right place. and seem to
have the good of the institution at heart. The law
OF last winter is no doubt ia the interest of the in
mates of the school, and good results will come
from lis proper and Judeious enforcement. In my
Judgment few changes in that law should be made,
the committee should consist of two members Of the
council instead Of three a. now provided the words
with whom shall be associated one woman ''should
be stricken cut. The interest of the school would be
as well served by small committee, and the State
would be saved gui an expense. fully appre,
cate the value of the services of lady official
visitor to any State institution where the inmates
are composed wholly or in part of girls but as the
inmates of the Reform School are exclusively boys
seat there under the statutes of the State as uven
lie criminals it Is questionable if the addition of
lady to the visiting committee is of practical adyan
tage.
At our monthly meetings in August September
and October, theeommittee found tut little change,
If any, in the affairs Of the school, but few com
plants were iaade, and those not of serious
ture. An interview with the boy complaining gem
orally resulted in his aeknowe1 gment of disobedi
ence, with complaint OF punishment dispropor-
toned to the offence.
The letter taken from the letter box. at the De-
eember session of the visiting committee, contained
complaints entirely of a different character from
auy heretofore received. Eighteen of the twenty
two letters received and examined were from boys
who desired to be remanded to their alternate SEN
tence. Many of these letters were from boys in the
third class-boys not easily controlled and who un-
doubtedly would prefer serving two three months
in the county jail, to remaining in the Reform
School during their minority. Nearly every iuve-
nile criminal sentence by the court to the Reform
School is given an alternative sentence Of thirty or
sixty days ia the county jail. Such a sentence has
in my opinion, a demoralizing effect upon many Of
the boys received into the institution. The law
makes 1t optional with the trustees to GIVE re-
ect boy sentenced by the court but if the juve-
nile offender is received into the institution them
in my Judgment, his alternative sentence should be
void thus taking away all inducement and hope
that by disorderly conduct and continued dsobed-
ence he would be remanded to his alternative SEN
tence and with that sentence void in case .he Of
tender is resolved into the school, his only hope for
release therefrom before-his majority would de-
pend upon his good conduct and obedience TO the
rules and requirements of the school, Every year.
boys who have by industry and obedience reached
the nrss class, and who give promise of being use
iul and respectable members of society are released
by the trustees. think such change in the law
as above indicated would be for the interest and
well aeing of the school. The building erected and
school authorized by the last Legislature, not
completed2nd in working order until after Novem.
Der LIST. Us building under the direction and
supervision of he trustees and committee of the
Executive council on Reform school. 1t is sub
stantial structure and is well adapted for the pur
pose designed.
A competent superintendent is in charge of this
department. Everything possible has been done by
the committee of the Council on the Reform School
to make IL a success Owing to the short time that
has elapsed since that department has been organ
| lied and in running order, unable mem
Der OF the visiting committee to express intelli-
gent opinion IN regard to its future success or lis
value to that portion of the inmates of the school
to be instructed in mechanical trades and other
| branches of useful knowledge" My associate on
the visiting committee, who is also a member of the
! committee of the Council on Reform School, Hon.
| W W. Bolster has given much more time and
n oTa6 frrT of hTC NJ
| department To his report respectfully refer for
tull and accurate statement of what has thus far
been accomplished.
without the least wish or desire on my part to
/ exceed the duties assigned me member of the
visiting committee, or to interfere in any manner
with the rights and duties of the committee of the
| Executive Council Reform School l will ven
| ture to suggest few changes and improvements
which if carried out, will be in the interest of the
| inmates of the school. The dining room is iu the
| basement of the buiiding-a very much out oi
repair and gloomy one for the purpose for which
1t is used; small expenditure tor repairs and new
table furniture would improve its appearance an6
make it more homelike and attractive, 30 far as il
could be done without the officers in charge losing
control OF the boys while at the table, reasonable
| amount of conversation should be allowed during
meals, Under the present rules of the institution
absolute silence is required at the table, the wants
| of the boys are made known by the raiing of The
| hand. am aware that to give the inmates of a re
formatory institution the right of converse
| ton during meals might lead to confusion
and rudeness on the part OF the boys
If change in that direction could be effected ant
at the same time complete COZ troll over the boy
be retained, in my opinion good results would fol
| low. his is a matter undoubtedly to which the
officers and trustees of the institution have giYel
thought and attention 1t surely is subject worth
| OF careful consideration
am satisfied from my frequent visits to the Re
form School during the past year, that the ventia
ton of the building could be very much improved
the air in many of the rooms seems close and i'm
pure. Some better system of ventilation than tn
one now in use should be devised; Just what tn
change should be am not prepared to state TIL
water supply, in my opinion, is defective. The il
stitution is now supplied with water by means o
reservoirs and wells on the premises. One of tn
wells from which considerable water is taken 70
drinking purposes is quite near the vault of tn
premises. The drainage from such source mus
necessarily, however well guarded, affect to som
extent the water in the well.
As sanitary measure and protection against fire
Sebago water should be introdu ed into the build
ings. 1t could be done at eompa ratively smal
cost. only about one mile of main pipe would hav
to be laid. Tic health of the inmates, its value
the farm and the protection it would be TO tn
buildings in case of fire would be worth many time
its cost
think if the trustees would make the change
and improvements suggested, in eeonomica
manner, the Legislature at the next session woul
readily make an appropriation sufficient to cove
the indebtedness created for such purposes.
Respectfully submitted.