Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-31

the Reform School to make it = success.
Owing to the short time that has elapsed since
that department has been organized and in
running order, / am unable - q member OF
the visiting committee to express an intelli-
gent opinion in regard to its future success OF
its value to that portion of the inmates of the
school to be instructed in ''mechanical trades
and other branches of useful knowledge. y
NY associate on the visiting committee of the
Council on Reform School, Hon. W. W.
Bolster, has given much more time and
thought to the building and furnishing of this
new department. To his report respectful
ly refer for full and accurate statement of
what has thus far been accomplished.
Without the least wish or desire on my
part to excel the duties assigned me as men,
Der of the visiting committee, or to interfere
in any manner with the rights and duties of
the committee of the Executive Council on
Reform School, will venture to suggest a
few changes and improvements, which if
carried out, will be in the interest of the in
mates of the school. The dining room is in
the basement of the building-a room very
much out of repair and gloomy one for the
purpose for which il is used; q small expen-
diture for repairs and new table furniture
would improve its appearance and make il
more homelike and attractive; so far as it
could be done without the Officers in charge
losing control of the buys, 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 raising of the hand. l
am aware that to give the inmates of a reform
atory institution the right of conversation
during meals might lead to confusion and
rudeness on the part of the boys.
If change in that direction could be eff
fected, and at the same time complete control
over the boys be retained, in my opinion.
good results would follow. This is a matter
undoubtedly to which the officers and trus-
tees of the institution have given thought
and attention. 1t surely is a subject worthy
of careful consideration.
l am satisfied from my frequent visits to
the Reform School during the past year, that
the ventilation of the building could be very
much improved. The air in many of the rooms
seems close and impure. Some better sys-
tenn of ventilation than the one now in use
should be devised; just what the change
should be am not prepared to state. The
water supply, in my opinion, is defective.
The institution is now supplied with water
by means of reservoirs and wells on the
premises. One of the wells from which con-
poses is quite near the vault of the premises.
The drainage from such source must neces-
sarily, however well guarded, affect to some
extent the water in the we'll.
As sanitary measure and protection
against fire, SebagO water should be intro
duced into the buildings. 1t could be done
at comparatively small cost. Only about one
mile of main pipe would have to be laid.
The health of the inmates, its value to the
farm, and the protection it would be to the
buildings in case Of fire would be worth many
times its cost.
| think if the trustees would make the
changes and improvements suggested, in an
economical manner, the Legislature at the
next session would readily make an appro-
priation sufficient to cover the Indebtedness
created for such purposes.
Respectfully submitted.
S. c. HATCH.