The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-29

letters, suffice it to say that at my last visit no
ticed upon the blackboard in the large school
room this boys name on the Roll of Honor"
remarked it to the superintendent ana ne an
swered, "Yes, his name is there for true, manly,
heroic conduct under very trying circumstances
This was one of the worst boys in the school. and
ment and encouragement many whose lives would
otherwise end In ruin and shame, may be reaeheu
and saved to lives Of usefulness. We nave en-
couraged the boys to write, as in this way ana Y
personal talk after receipt OF letters, we could
then more easily gain their confidence, and thus
be better enabled to encourage and stimulate IN
them desire to do right Their letters are treat
ed confidentially; no one Is informed from whom
we receive them, and so the boys feel they can
write us frankly of their wants and complaints.
Letters in commentator OF the school are ire
quently received. subiOin one:
"Uear Friends. am getting along first rate.
am IN good health. | am treated 70 a satisiac-
tion and that is all | ask. Good bye" ,.
vented my attendance at the monthly Vls-
its of the committee since September. In
ings OF the committee, have made two
visits alone, that l might ascertain If there
committee were expected than at other times.
l am glad to report that have ever found the
same quiet management, orderly department
among the boys and neat, tidy appearance OF
buildings and surroundings at all times. But let
no one understand me to say that everything has
always been orderly and moving with cloek-ke
precision. Such condition of things would be
next to impossible imam institution OF this kind.
Among so many boys, gathered from the low
er, troubles and diSsensions viii sometimes
arise, and those at fault must be taught In
some way a respect for the rules and general
regulations of the institution, thus fitting them
in future years to yield respect and obedience TO
the laws of the community, city or country In
Following the recommendation Of your commit
tee, the last legislature made an appropriation Tor
the introduction of Sebag0 water, and Tor new
boiler and piping for heating. Pure water In abun
dance and sufficient heat In winter have been
wants long felt The school building has been
thoroughly piped, furnishing water wherever
needed for general use, and besides five pipes
{21a in:) with couplings and necessary hose have
been placed in appropriate places, leading up
through the building, two of them to the upper
story, for use in case of fire; and it would seem
that with these and the two hydrants, one at each
end of the building, there cannot be much danger
of its destruction by fire. From the approprla-
ton ior repairs tne trustees nave ntted up sui
by means of hot and cold water pipes, that the
temperature of the water for shower baths Is en-
tirely under the control of the superintendent or
man in charge; and have put in proper water clos
cts in the basement of the school building, thus
enabling them within few days. to do away
with the old closets in the play grounds which had
become perfect nuisance. The additional boil
er with piping will now sufficiently warm the en-
tire building, and 1t will no longer be necessary
in order to sufficiently warm one portion OF the
building to shut the heat off from another;
were one hundred and twelve bows in the school,
of whom four have since been sent away on pro-
baton, leaving one hundred and eight at the pres
chancal department, where theyare making good
progress.
In the repairing of the buildings this season,
which has been considerable, all the carpenter
work has been done by the boys in this depart
ment. thus saving quite an expense. During tne
past year thirty-One boys have been committed to
the institution, while on the other hand one has
been indentured during minority, and twenty-five
let out on leave of absence, of whom only one has
been brought back. This last fact speaks well
for the management, and COED morale OF the
school.
room. In the general repairs made this season,
the ceiling has been whitened and few orna-
ments put ups This is some Improvement, but the
do much to enliven the room, which cannot be
made any too attractive, located as 1t is in the
basement A little new paint in other portions or
the building, and especially down stairs, wouldn't
do any hurt, and would add much to the well be-
ing Of all there am informed nSweyes, tnai mat
this cannot be done until new appropriation
shall have been made.
A reform school is not place for hardened
criminals, but where boys, without suitable
homes, exposed to crime in its Thousand FORMS
and in great danger of growing up in idleness, ig
norance and wickedness, may be sent. that under
proper restraining influences, surrounded with the
comforts and pleasures of home so far as 10 can
be- they may be brought up to lives of usefulness.
Our Reform School cannot be home IN its true
sense-the home of our own CHILDHOOD
hOme OF our childhoOdi how affection clings
And hovers round thee with her seraph wings
but to many of these poor boys it Is the best home
they ever had and the only place where their
young minds will, if ever, receive those tender
impressions, and pleasant recOlections of boy
hood, which shall enable them to restrain their
passions in after years and make them good
citizens Another has said, Of all human infiu-
enceS those of home are the most far reaching in
their results; and so Will be the influence OF this
school upon those sent there. Hence 1t is the du-
ty of the State so lar as it can, to make this
school like a home, and if the "HOme Plan can
not be adopted, the State at least by pleasant
surroundings, neat cheerful rooms, and worthy
Christian teachers do much (aS Is in a measure
now being done) to save these boys to lives OF
usefulness. Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. LOCKE.