The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-09
A tREDITABLE INSTITUTION
TIL Boys Reform School at Plainfeld
and the Work 1t Is Doing.
Wit Is Taught and How the Teaching Is
DOne-EvOlFing a Good Citizen
from an IncOrrigible Boy.

Written for the Indianapolis Journal by Jap Turpen.
kcelent water fertile soil, and neighbor-
hod influenced largely by the society of Friends,
scared for Plainfeld the Reform School, which
wa established during the administration of
Gcernor Baker. Those who originally con-
ceied the idea of the institution may have hoped,
in ONE instances, by retarding the development
of iciousness, to effect partial reform, but the
pricipal object doubt, was to protect society.
Tls wisdom of such measure was manifest, for
tn country, only a few years previous, had been
glen the benefit of a lesson by New York The
respectable people Of that great city were thor
oyhly Indifferent to the street Arabs, until
thjse creatures one morning swarmed from the
slms, destroying life and property, to such an
extent as to endanger the security of the Repub-
lie When law restored, by the strong arm
ofthe military, Gotham put on her thinking cap,
ard the mere instincts of self-preservation every
Were suggested: 1--WE must educate or we will
parish"
have talked lately with Governor Porter con-
corning the growth and good of the Reform
| Shool, and while disparaging none of the other
Safe institutions, it is violating confidence to
write that he places this at the head as rejecting
/ tie highest order of honor upon the State. A
/ proper sense Of responsibility has caused
his heart to warm in sympathy with the
directing intelligence, and he spoke earnestly of
Prof Charltons wonderful fitness, in training,
taste, and temperament, for the position of SUI
psrintendent A ruling desire to have an admin
istration above criticism causes him to regard
every interest with solicitude and conversation
reveals that he is infinitely informed and natu-
rally in hearty cooperation with every laudable
measure 1t is to his interest to have things
run smoothly; to know that the institutions are
doing faithfully the work that they were found
ed to accomplish. The position of executive of
State is one so popularity known to be fraught
with every character of anxiety, that audi
ence hears with no surprise that remarkable re-
quest to Uncle Daniel: please don't fire the
annihilator while am Governor of Massachu-
setts"
This is the third time that 1 have visited the
Reform School-once with the late Judge Over
man, of Upton, and again with Judge Heller, of
indianapolis. Both of these gentlemen, after
careful examination, were not only satisfied, but
delighted with the evidence of development.
remember, though nearly two years have inter
vened, a remark made by Judge Heller at the
ing the character of thought that diligent study
of the subject had quickened in his mind. "Ev-
cry evidence" he said, ''of this being penal in
stituton, in my judgment, should be eliminated
by legislation, that no shadow of disgrace could
possibly attach to the man here educated"
with the proper legislative encouragement"
he continued "a man might consider it an
honor to have been disciplined and trained in
this school, where certainly, in many respects,
pupil enjoys superior advantages" The Judge
/ evidently saw no reason why a large per cent of
those boys would not develop into useful and ex-
emplary members of society.
"There is wide and warm interest taken in
boys Sunday school teacher has said, and
here where the sentiment is organized and
wisely directed saving them from themselves
and the remorseless cruelty of the worlds neg
lect peculiar emotions are awakened in the
breast of every visitor. The spectacle of those
bright glad faces in the chapel, remembering
the condition of wretchedness of poverty, with
its scant allowance of unwholesome food, cold,
cherries beds where famine and frost unite to
teach that life is spite work and destitute of ex
ample, save that of crime from which they have
lately been rescued, will certainly arouse in any
citizen, from the youth on the point of casting
his first vote" to the Governor of a State feel
ing not only of gratitude but something of trans
port.
IAN interesting and instructive article might
be written the Plainfeld institution, " con
cluded Governor Porter, land | am always
pleased to have newspaper people make the
visit because its purpose, excellent condition,
scope, and possibilities should be widely under
stood"
PROFESSOR CHARLTON AND HIS SYSTEM
Raising on a farm, service in the army term
of years at West Point, the scholarship of an
educator, long experience, first as teacher and
then as superintendent of schools, were the
qualifications that recommended Professor
Charlton for the position of superintendent of
the Reform School. The great secret of having
the right man in the right place is that he fills
all the places beneath him with proper persons,
and keeps them proper by constant supervision.
Though with large charity, he requires absolute
morality on the part of every assistant and EN-
ploye, and takes the lead cheerfully, but as rig
idly as the old Emperor of Prussia, who never
allowed his soldiers to see his coat unbuttoned.
A stroll about the farm, even to the most re-
mote field, shows that system is maintained by
one whose heart is in the work The schools are
pervaded by generous rivalry that assures
glorious things forthe future-a spirit that an ed
ucator alone could have infused Here is the mil
itary discipline OF trained soldier mellowed
by Christianity. What might be unpleasant or
painful, becomes warmed, by such love as tenn
pers The wind to the shorn lamb into the smil-
ing promise of June. boy is made ambitious
to leave the school and place; otherwise he
might feel disposed to stay. He is taught that
his home on the farm is merely a preparation for
the duties of life, and he labors for sufficient
mental training and strength of character to
meet philosophcally the worlds requirements.
Everything is made artfully to conduce to the
education of mind and heart To visit every room
and dormitory, the hospital and the kitchen, un-
announced, is made obligatory upon the trustees.
This is demanded to induce employees to dill
gence
The meeting of the board would be merely
formal hut for the faculty and disposition of the
superintendent to put everybody at work. He in
terests all connected with the notwithstanding
L. A Barnett of DanVilla. Lewis .Iondan Of In