Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-14
SouruxI xnS Gcurisr.
Friday, December IA, 1883.
The Reform School.
The superIntendent's Report-The Small
 Army of Boys.

The Superfntendent's Report-The Small Army of Boys.
 The annual report of Superintendent Howe of the State Reform school, which has just been submitted to the trustees. shows as follows: Six deaths have occurred during the year. Two hundred and eight boys have gone out of the institution on probation or leave of absence. A very large percentage of the boys sent out in this way do well. If boy who is absent is not doing we'll or is engaged in any disreputable business, he IS sent for and placed again in the school. If the boys thus released all had good homes to ge to, the percentage of returns would be less than it is now. The ''honor badge" system' explained in former reports, is still in vogue and works well. The results of the labor department are very satisfactory. The net receipts for the year are $14,244.63.
 There are six shops in the institution, and they give employment to over 300 boys. The manufactures are shirts, overalls, cane seat for chairs, shoes and clothing worn by the inmates One hundred and twenty-five sew ing machines run by steam in the differ ent shops and the boys become expert in working them. The quality or the 1000 daily placed on the table for the inmates is of the best. The bread is made from good grade of -four and only the best meat is used. Vegetables are furnished from the gardens Of the institution and embrace full variety. Coffee is furnished for dinner and supper in which 15O quarts of milk are daily used. Special spreads are given on Sundays and holidays. The boys eat all they want at every meal. The clothing used is all wool graz cloth for the trousers and indigo blue for the jackets.
 Two services are held every Sunday-Sab bath school in the morning and preaching service in the afternoon. The priests and sisters of mercy conduct services for the Catholic boys. The international lessons are used in tho Sunday school. Short devotional exercises are also held every morning and evening. The ,-b boys attend school three hours each day and are taught all the com mon branches. Vocal and instrumental mu- sic are taught and the brass band is source of great pleasure and about thirty boys are in training for it. Boys between seven and sixteen years can be sentenced to the school, and parents or guardians can have their sons or wards sent there on payment of $3 per week quarterly and in advance. Boys are dismissed on probation after theya attain the sshonor badge'' and this grade by uniform good conduct can be ob- tained in one year. By indifferent or bad conduct promotions are lost and as a result the time for boy to remain is heightened. After leaving the school on parole boys are required to communicate with the institution at least once in six months. Two hours every week day are given to recreation as ! innocent games. Opportcnities are given to l attend appropriate private performances at | the Opera House. Rehearsals by vocal com panies, for the benefit of the boys, take place at the school. The inmates are allowed ! to attend the State fairs held there.