The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-08-28
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
Introduction of Sebago Water and
other Improvements.

Last winter in order to supply long felt
want at the State Reform School, the legisla-
ture appropriated $1,000 for the introduction
of Sebago water. From the erection of the
building until two weeks ago when the new
system Of water supply was put in satisfac-
tory operation the building has been depend
ent for water upon wells in the grounds, and
water from the roof, stored in cisterns in the
building The contract for putting in the
new works was taken by w. H. Pencil &
Co., Of this city the main from Stroudwater,
1900 feet in length, being laid by the water
company. The entire work has been done
in the most thorough and workmanlike man
ner and is a credit to w. Fl. Pennell & Co..
The pipe enters the building at the western
wing and the water is carried into every
story. -Four . inch stand pipes, one in each
wing, are put in as guard against fire. They
are provided with proper number of valves
each valve having cap to prevent the es-
cape of water by accident
In the basement, the laundry and kitchen
are provided with hot and cold water, the
kitchen. having three jacket kettles and hot
and cold water sinks. A feature of the new
arrangement is the boys wash room. Here
the long wash tank is supplied with separate
streams of water for each boy and sixteen
shower baths are placed overhead, the water
being warmed by steam in a tank built for
the purpose and holding $50 gallons of water.
The valves are so arranged that the amount
of hot and cold water used may be so regu-
lated as to secure proper temperature.
Adjoining the dormitories, where the boys
sleep in separate beds watched by an assist
ant who sits in the room all night for that
purpose, are four water closets with large
flushing tanks above, the soil pipes, as, in
fact, are all the soil pipes in the building,
being carried above the roof for purposes of
ventilation
In the third story bath room has been
put in with hot and cold water for the use
of lady teachers, and on the floor above is a
similar one for the men. Water closets have
also been put in for the use of teachers and
visitors and a wash basin supplied with hot
and cold water has been put in the office on
the ground floor.
In the barn, water has been provided in
proper places for watering stock and wash
ing carriages. Two hydrants have been
placed in the grounds at the east and west
ends of the building to be used in case of
fire. They are Mathews patent, manufac-
tured by r. o. Wood & Co., Of Philadelphia.
A drinking basin has also been placed in the
boys play ground.
The workshop, built two years ago is doing
good work for the boys in teaching useful
trades to those who are capable of becom-
ing good mechanics. The shop is in charge
ofN T.. -
man. Steam is employed in furnishing mo-
tive power, SINNERS portable engine being
used. A circular saw, buzz planer, jig saw
and turning lathe are in the building
Each boy is furnished with bench and set
of tools. The purpose is to teach the boys
and the chair work is the only thing done
for money profit Many articles in the
building show the ability and good instruc-
ton of the boys, among them being hand
somely inlaid and mounted checker board, a
tool chest and a straight edge of strips of
black walnut and white wood All these
objects were exhibited at the exhibition at
New Orleans. The course of instruction in
the work shop begins with lessons in simple
mortise and tenon work leading from that
up through the different grades until the
pupil becomes proficient in the use of tools.
The improvements have worked benef-
eial change at the school, and conduce to the
health and comfort of the teachers and boys
alike. As to the good work of Superintend-
ent Harrington and his assistant, Mr.. E. P.
Wentworth, the neatness of the premises,
the prosperous condition of the farm and,
above all, the bright and happy faces of the
boys themselves bear sufficient evidence and
show that the institution is in fact as well as
in name a reformatorY one.