Daily Republican., 1885-06-18
The Reform School.
WHAT 1T Is INTENDED YOR-
the PLACE FOX BAD
BOYS-THE
ACT OF INCORPORATION.

Il
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
John Ferris while living was one O
the most practical of men, never in
dulging In visionary schemes, but pre-
ferring to think over everything in hi,
own mind, and when the time came tt
act. For lifetime in this city be had
beheld small hoys sent &c Jail for the
commission OF petty crimes, who should
have been sent TO house Of correction
where there might have been a recla-
nation and reformation OF the offender
But Delaware had not within her Dor.
ders such an institation, and so boys OF
tender years were continually hustled
Oft to jail and some Of them even reach.
ed the whipping post. But all this
worked no reform in the offender
Above the Intel ot the Jail entrance
might appropriately have been written
and exposed to public gaze the follow
ing inscription !, "He who enters here
leaves hope behind"
Mr.. Ferris having been well-to dc
the world and withal very frugal and
saving, had accumulated considerable
wealth, and having no wife or chill.
prem to leave 1t to, he conceived the
noble and charitable idea OF establish.
ing reform school for inoorrigibl
boys, and for this purpose in his will
he made and bequeathed for that pur,
pose $4,000. and made DIR. Caleb
HARLAN his execu sOr in the will to carry
out is purpose.
An act of Incorporation was the fret
thing to be secured, and accordingly q
bill was presented and passed last viii
ter, Incorporating the Ferris Reform
School. The following In q synopsis OF
the provisions Of the bill
Section authorizes and empowers
large number of gent smen of New
Castle County, under the name and
title OF the Ferris Reform School, for a
period Of twenty years, to possess them
selves Of property, either real or per.
sonal, the annual income of which
shall not exceed 5000, TO be used as
they may think best, for the purpose oi
supporting such = school.
Section 2 provides that every person
who shall pay the sum of $40 OF for a
term of six years, shall be members OF
OF the association during it's existence,
and any person paying the sum of 81
shall be member while he continues to
contribute.
Section 3 vests the management OF
the school In twenty-one managers, five
of whom shall constitute quorum.
The Mayor of Wilmington, the Judge
of the Superior Court residing in New
Castle County, and the President of the
Levy Court are mem bers of the Board
of managers, ex.offioio. The other
eighteen are elected by members of the
assoc iation. The Board organizes by
the appointment of President, two
Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and a
secretary. The Board has met and
elected DIR. Caleb Harlan President,
Leonard e. Wales and j. Taylor Cause,
Vice Presidents, H. C. Robinson,
Treasurer, and David w. Harlan Secre-
tary.
Section 4 empowers the Board to
purchase suitable buildings, lands or
whatever else is needed for the school,
and to establish by-laws and rules for
the government of the school, and for
the proper training and moral and reli-
gious training, discipline, manage.
ment, government, instruction, safe
keeping and disposition of the inmates
of the school. 1t EN- powers the employ.
ment Of a special constable to take care
Of the property of the school, and arm
ed with authority TO suppress riots,
disturbances and breaches of the peace,
to enforce law and preserve order, the
salary of the constable to be paid by
the institution.
As the 9th section denominates who
shall be admitted as INN ates of the
institution, it is given entire, as fol-
lows
First, when committed by the NUM-
cipal Court of the city of Wilmington,
or any Justice of the Peace OF New
Castle County, on complaint and due
proof made to the said Court, or JUS
tice by parent, guardian or next
friend of such minor, that by reason
of such mi nor, and from regard TO his
morals and future welfare is is requisite
that he should be placed under
the guardianship Of the Mana
gers of the Ferris Reform school.
Second, when committed by the au,
thorities aforesaid Upon complaint and
due proof that such minor is proper
object for the guardianship of the eaid
managers, in consequence of vagrancy
OF OF incorrigible or vicious conduct,
and that from moral depravity or other
wise, of Is parent, guardian, or person
in whose custody such minor may be,
such parent, guardian, or other person
having custody of the minor is iucapa-
BILE or unwilling to exercise the proper
care and discipline over him.
Third, males not over sixteen nor
under nine years Of age committed TO
the custody OF said Board by the Court
of General Sessions of the Peace and
Jail delivery for New Castle County, the
Municipal Court of the city of Whining
ton, or any Justice of the Peace in said
county, up on conviction of vagrancy or
other criminal offences before them, or
upon the acquittal of such minor, ii the
Court or Magistrate, upon the testi-
mony, shall consider him = proper OBJ
ject for the said school, and it shall not
De in the discretion OF the said Board to
reject any such minor committed to
th cir custody on conviction ofa crimi-
nal offence, excepting the offences of
arson and rape, and any such
minor against whom a crime other than
murder, arson and rape 10 charged be.
fore grand jury, il the charge is sup.
psrted by sufficient evidence TO put him
on trial, may on the ecOmmendation of
the grand jury, and without presenting
an indictment, be committed by the
Court to said school.
The Board shall have power to place
the minors committed to their custody
at such employment, and cause them
to be instructed in such branches of
useful know wledge as may be suitable
to their years and capacities, and they
shall have power in their discretion to
bind out the said minors, with their
consent, az apprentices, during their
minority, to such persons ard at such |
places, to learn such proper trades and |
as in tho Judgment of the |
said Board will be most conducive tot
the reformation and amendment, and |