The Portland daily press., 1883-03-01

prison eonvicts for nothing under heaven but
mere sentiment on the part of those who
nave no personal knowledge of the matter was
proceeding against which his heart revoited.
ne tnen described the system of merits by
winch boys earn their discharge. The rules
ana regulations of the trustees, the punish
menis used and the method of recording them
were also explained. The introduction of
mechanical industry was very desirable and he
earnestly hoped the legislature would grant the
sum necessary to introduce it. He described
the present industries of the school, the cane
seating OF chairs, work npon the farm and
garden which during the summer months re-
CURED a large number of boys, tailoring, cook
ing, etc.
At the close Of Mr.. Farringtons g remarks the
committee adjourned to meet in the judiciary
room at 80 O'clock. At that time they were
addressed by assistant superintendent Went
worth on the proposition of Senator Rust of
Waldo and others to substitute short
sentences for the minority sen. sen.
tences now required by law. He argued
that this change would make penal institu-
tion of the Reform School, converting it into
mere place of detention where boys would re-
ceive definite punishment for definite
crime Such changeMQuld destroy the use
fitness OF the School "a the early days of
reform schools before the principles underly-
ing Their proper management were fully un-
derstood short sentences we're frequently i'm
posed. As the managers of reformatories be-
learned that to secure the greatest good to the
inmates all sentences should be during minor
lty, the managers having authority to dis
charge any boy when deemed reformed, to re-
lease him on probation to be returned to the
;a ocnool II ne does not properly conduct him
sell, 10 lndenture him to any suitable inhab-
isant OF the State under certain specified con-
oltlons or to remand him to his alternative
sentence ii found to be incorrigible Bows
senC TO reform schools with minority sentences
remain shorter time, on the average, than
tnose committed on definite sentences. State
aiter State abandoned definite sentences to
reform schools as most perncious in their ef-
iects; and now TO adopt the proposed change
IN 1ne law would be to make long step back
ward IN defiance of the teachings of expert
ehce. he read numerous extracts from the
reports of reformatories in other States and
rom papers presented at the National Prison
congresses to show the soundness of his posi-
lion In referring to the boys now in the
school for high crimes he said that SO far as the
management of the School was concerned it
made no difference whether the boys were al
lowed to remain or not, and if il could be
shown that the greatest good to the
greatest number required their remov-
al they should be at ohce taken away;
but he had been in personal charge of those
boys every day for month after month and he
was fully convinced that they did not exert an
evil influence upon the others. He believed
they were as susceptible to good influences as
were other boys. Personally he had deep
feeling in regard to the matter and thought it
would be unnecessary and cruel to send them
to the State prison.
Frederick Fox, Esq, again addressed the
committee, and censured the management of
the School referring to the commissioners re-
port. He hoped the legislature would grant
the demand for money and see that some me-
chaDical Industry was introduced.
Mr.. Little then called the attention of the
to the importance of establishing a
family house to which some of the better boys
could be transferred, and said that with such
house the trustees would be enabled to make a
more thorough classification of the inmates.
The committee then adjourned
[By reference to our telegraphic columns it
will be seen that the committee are inclined to
report Mr.. Haskel's bill with some modifica-
tons