Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-21
A REAL REFORM SCHOOL.
William Deans idea OF What We
Want Here.

Want Here.
Editor Gazette g. Journal: At the Decem
} bef meeting OF th Board OF Trustees of th
! Poor for New Castle county Drs Busl
aud Harlan we're present and stated tina
q sum OF money had been left by John
Ferris to be applied to some benevolen
purpose They suggested retormatory
school for boys and Dr. Hsrlsn's idea wa
that il should not be like a Jail but
place where the boys should be taught &
have a respect for the institution on &c
count OF the kind treatment they should
receive. A committee of the board ol
trustees was appointed to take into con
sideration the leasing Of ground belong
ing to the almshouse farm for such a
building. The committee, as you know,
has reported favorable on the matter.
While in England in 1881 1 passed
by just such an institution as, from what
DR.. Harlan stated, he would like.
Through my friend, William uomewood,
got the ADDRESS OF gentleman in Ash
ford, Kent, Eugisnd, Robert Fiuly,
Bsq to whom ! at once wrote. | also
wrote to my son.in-law in England, to
write him and see that, II any expense
should attend the getting of the iniorma-
tion, to pay it. The accompanying papers
have been sent to me by Mr.. Finly and
as the matter is one of much Importance
| to our people and it conveys all the
information as to the discipline and the
management Of such an institution hope
| you will, through the columns of your
valuable journal, place them bsfore the
people. WILLIAM DEAN.
KENT COUNTY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOE Boys
Ia
This school was iuunded in 1875 by the
justices Of the county to prevent the boys
brought before them, charged with frat,
often petty, offsnses, being sent to prison
and thus contaminated and even trained
into settled habits of crime.
"For which purpose they purchased a
farm of 80 acres at cost of $4,000 and
erected portion Of the present buildings
which have been added to from time
to time, until now there is ample accom-
mediation for 200 to 220 at q cost OF about
el5, 900.
''Tne boys admitted are from Z to IA;
[oopy of act marked enclosed they
they are kept until l6, or sent out to sit
uations before, provided suitable occu-
pations can be procured in families, not
an easy task in England; however, the
greater number are easily provided for in
the army, as band boys, and in the navy,
If the pare1ts consent.
"The total cost of keeping, clothing
and educating a boy is about g21 per
year. The state contributes about two
fiiths and the parents have to pay towards
that two.ffths according to their means,
some as low as sixpsnce per week, others
three shillings. The remaining three
fifths are paid from the county rates.
Return OF expenses under each head
ior three years attached, marked b.
"All the inmates have to attend school
regularly three hours daily, and the
youngest, six hours. Every boy, If
possible, ia made to work at least five
hours daily, either at cleaning, cooking,
baking, washing, tailoring, csrpenteribg,
gardening, farm work, attending horses,
COWS, pigs, &C., with suitable intervals
for play. They all have to wash their
own clothes, make beds, darn their socks,
repair clothes, and in fact do all that is
necessary for their health and comfort.
''They have daily morning and even
ing prayers, private prayer and religious
instruction, attend church, and a regular
Iaid chaplain visits three times a week
and instructs the boys. Singing and
instrumental music with drill form very
essential part Of their training.
"They have savings bank, and are
encouraged when they leave to come back
for holiday, and to write frequently.
Beside the first situation, a second or
even third is found for them"
tA.l
EXTRACTS FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS
ACT, 29 AND 30 VIC CAP. lis.
Section 14-Any person may bring be-
fore two justices, or a magistrate, any
child apparently under the age Of IA
years, that comes within any OF the fol
lowing descriptions, namely: That is
found begging or receiving Sims (whether
actually or under the pretext of selling
or offering for sale anything) or being in
any street or public place for the pur
pose of 80 begging or receiving alms; that
is found wandering, and not having any
home or settled place OF abode, or proper
guardianship, or visible means OF subsis-
tence; that ID found destitute, either
being an orphan, or having a surviving
parent who is undergoing penal servitude
or imprisonment; that frequents the com.
pany of reputed thieves. The justices
or magistrate before whom a Guild is
brought as coming within one of these
descriptions, II satisfied on inquiry of
that fact, and that it il expedient to deal
with him under this aot, may order him
to be sent to certified industrial school.
section 15,-When a child, apparently
under the age OF IL years, is charged
before two justices or magistrate, with
an offense punishable by imprisonment
or less punishment, but has not been,
in Bpgland convicted of felony, or IL
Scotland of theft, and the child ought, in
the opinion OF the justices or mag istrate
(reRsrd being had to his age, and to the
circumstances of the case), to be dealt
with under this act, the Justice or
magistrate may order him tJ be sent to
certified industrisl school.
Section 16 Where the parent, or step
parent, or guardian of child, appar-
emily under the age of IA years, repre-
sents tn two justices or magistrate that
he Ia unable TO control the child and that
he desires that the child be sent to an in
dustrial school under this act, the
justices or magistrate if satisfied on eu-
quiry that IL is expsdient to deal with
the child under this act, may order him
to be sent to a certified industrial school.
Section II deals with refractory chill,
dren under IA years of age, in work
houses or pauper schools.
In cases under sections IA and Is, the
treasury grant is 80. I'd. per week if over
10 years, but If uhder 3s only.
In cases under section 16.-The treas
ury grant is 2s. per week.
In cases under section 17.-No grant.
The union being required u pay to the
school the total cost.
In addition to the above, boys who habit
ually absent themselves from the ele-
mentary schools are also liable to be
sent, under the education act OF 1872.
No boy can be admitted who is mem
tally or physically untitled for work.
JAMES DUKE, Superintendent,
Mil Bank, Ashford.
... [B.l