Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-12

Visit OF a Massachusetts Delegation
How the School Is MAmaged-BOys
Educated and Learned a Trade-NOt
Restrained BY Bars and Bolts, Etc.

delegation from Massachusetts,, consisting
Of Hons E. P. Loring, Charles II. Holland and
Jeremiah G.. Fennessey. members of the senate
and assembly of that state, and Of the commit
tee on charities, paid a visit to the District Re-
form School on Wednesday last. After an ex-
animation into the management of the school
and its method Of discipline, and an inspection
OF the premises, the visitors expressed them
selves as much pleased with everything they
saw.
As comparatively few OF our citizens know
even of the existence of this charity. much less
anything about Its working and the good effected
by it, our reporter has obtained from Mr. James
+. Fitch, the president OF the board Of trustees
the following statement regarding it, which
cannot but be Of interest. Mr.. Fitch says: "The
reform school II the District is located on the
old Bladensburg road. about four miles from
the city, and on the old site of Fort Lincoln.
Attached to it are about three hundred and
sixty acres of land. most Of which is under cul-
tivation by the boys. The school is for boys
only, and its object is expressed in its name
Boys not more than sixteen years of age, con-
victed of crime in the District courts. may be
sent to the school instead of the District Jail or
the penitentiary. They may also be admitted
by the president of the school upon the applica-
ton OF parents or guardians, the latter admis-
sion being as a general thing because of incor-
rigibilty. No boy is retained in the school
after reaching the age of twenty-one, and he
may, by good conduct, "gain his hOnOrs'' as It
is termed and obtain his release, within year
from the time of entrance. The boys spend
about four hours Of each week day in study, the
same time in acquiring a knowledge Of some
branch of industry which will be of benefit to
them when they go back into the world to take
O fresh start and the balance of the day on
the play ground. Sunday school is held each
Sabbath in the chapel, which on week days
serves as the schOol-rOOm, and services are also
held in the afternoon, when the boys generally
have short sermon from some OF the city pas
tors, the school being nOn-sectarian. and pas
tors of all sects being invited to take part in
these services.
THE DISCIPLINE.
Everything is done to inspire self-respect in
the boys. An instance Of the value of the train
ing is afforded in one Of the teachers now in
charge of the largest workshop. who is grad
uate of the school. The discipline of the insti-
tuition under the present efficient superinten-
dent, Col. G. A. Shallenberger, and his excellent
wife, who holds the position of matron. is en-
phltically that of the home kind, while firm and
jud:ciOus, and renders it unnecessary to have
recourse to the severer forms of punishment.
The school is Of the class known as the ''open
plan" or Family system" as distinguished from
the walled in and guarded reformatOries. The
food of the boys is good and abundant all vege-
tables being raised on the farm attached to the
school, Their clothing is good and each boy
upon his discharge is furnished with new suit.
The clothing. as Well as the shoes worn, is made
by the boys themselves under instruction. The
present number of inmates is one hundred and
forty -eight, Of whom ffty-twO are white and
ninety-six cOlOred. The boys work and play in
common. but the cOlored boys have a separate
dOrmit0ry and their own table in the dining
room.
HOW IT Is MANAGED.
The institution, which is directly under the
care of the Attorney General, is managed by a
board OF trustees consisting Of U. s. Senator
appointed by the presiding officer Of the Senate,
member of the House of Representatives ap-
pointed by the Speaker, as consulting trustees;
one of the Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia er-0ficiO. and seven members ap-
pointed by the President of the United States
upon the recommendation of the Attorney Gen.
eral. each for the term Of three years. They in
turn select the superintendent, matron, teachers
and employees. The present board consists of
Hon. W. B. Allison Q. S. Senate the Office of
trustee on the part of the House being just now
vacant); Hon. J. B. Edmonds, Commissioner of
the District of Columbia; James E. Fitch, presi-
dent; Henry A. Willard, vice president; N w.
Burchell. A. ]. Falls, DR.. ]. E. Carpenter, O.P.G
Clarke and George W. Adams s. w. Curriden
is the secretary and treasurer. The regular
meeting of the board is held monthly at the
school, and special meetings take place in the
city between the regular meetings. In addition
to this three Of the trustees. all Of whom it need
hardly be said serve without compensation, visit
and inspect the school twice each month. The
trades at present taught the boys are Gaming
chairs, shOemaking, tailoring and farming. The
institution is doing good work, but will be in
position to do still more when. through the
lberality of Congress, the board are enabled to
erect more workshops, where an Increased num-
Der Of trades can be taught. Visitors are vel
coined to the Sunday exercises held each Sabbath
at O'Clock pm, and they will be fully repaid
by the singing of the boys"