Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-02
REFORM SCHOOL.
Report OF Councillor Locke to the Cow
ernor and Council.

Council Of Maine
herewith submit my report as a member
OF the visiting committee to the State Reform
School, as required by act of the Legislature
chapter $50, public laws 1888.
As a member Of the standing committee O.
the Council on the Reform School, I hat
visited this institution several times, and be-
come quite conversant with its affairs, before
my appointment as member of this com.
mittee.
We made our first visit to the school June
18th; thoroughly inspected the buildings,
and examined into the treatment of the in.
mates as far as possible. and obtained what
information we could as to their condition and
progress. At request of the committee |
caused q suitable box, for the receipt of let
tiers from the inmates, to be placed where all
would have free access to deposit letters and
on the 18th of the same month bad a candid
talk with the boys, among other things ex-
plating to them the rules established by the
committee, and what was expected from them,
and especially information as to their treat
ment, condition, rank and progress; also as
surfing them that their Communications should
be confidential,
July 10th the committee again visited the
school, and devoted great portion of the
time there to the reading OF the letters in the
box. The general tone of the letters was far
different from what expected it would be.
Instead of complaints and fault finding, we
found the boys generally satisfied with their
treatment, and having regard to their stand
ing and grade many of them expressing a de-
termination to do still better than they had
done. The complaints we're very few.
Your committee, with one exception, have
visited the school monthly and examined the
Ipttera / la 70 bo
present at the last visit.
The letters read by me speak well for the
management of the school, and furnish evil
dence sufficient to satisfy any fair minded
man that this institution is well managed
and great blessing to the greater number
of those committed to its care
A few of the inmates, doubtless, belong to
that incorrigible class who can not be reached
by kindness, and whom only the fear of pun
ishment will control
l have been much interested in the starting of
the mechanical department at the school. 1t W ill
prove, l believe, a move in the right direc-
ton, and encourage many of the boys to fit
themselves to earn a livelihood, when they
leave this institution. Not all boys take
kindly to farm or garden work. to the taking
care of the barn and cattle, to the bottoming
of chairs or the manufacture of clothing
What suits one will not please another. The
last time l visited the school many were
anxious to gain admission to the work shop:
it will prove a strong incentive to good be-
havi0r, should it be understood that only
those who behave well can be admitted. The
boys intuitivelv feel that to know how to
handle carpenter tools is ''nobler calling
than TO stand hour by hour bottoming chairs
l can but believe that this department will
prove a great benefit to the school.
Many Of the boys sent to the school are
among the smartest, most active and intelli-
gent in our midst: boys who, with happy
homes and proper advice and training, might
have escaped such punishment as they are
now receiving. The State, having taken
them under its care, is in honor bound to
fit them to obtain their living hereafter
honestly, if it can be done; instead of
turning them out at the age of twenty
one, no wise prepared to enter upon the
duties of life, and only fit subjects for crime.
As walk through many of the streets in our
larger places, where the poor and foreign
population live. and see the boys and girls
crowding the public ways by night, | wonder
that crime is not more prevalent than it now
is. Many of our citizens and private societies
are doing much to save the young. Shall
not the State likewise do its share, and when
thew come under its control, shall it not fur
nish them the means whereby they may be
fitted for future usefulness. II possible we
NAV rest assured that whatever is done in this
direction, the citizens of this State will ap-
prove.
think pleasant surroundings furnish for
the young strong incentives to an upright
life. Hence it is that the home plan for such
bows has proved 50 much more successful,
when tried, than to have them all together.
The little ornaments placed by the matron
around the rooms of the house, make an in
delible impression upon the child's mind,
which, though imperceptible at the time, has
lasting influence for good. In this connec-
ton will refer to the dining room at the
school. 1t is not such pleasant place as it
ought to be. although kept neat and clean. A
small expense would improve it much. A
few picture. and ornaments upon the walls.
chairs at the tables, flowers in their season,
and conversation at the table would add much
towards making the dining room a pleasanter
place. do not mean to find fault with the
trustees; the money at their disposal is linn
tied, and they are Obliged to curtail expenses
wherever they can, but in the matter of con-
yersation. they should remember that they
were once boys-and boys enjoy their meals
much better when they can talk. think this