Daily Republican., 1885-07-27

like seven by nine feet, and each little |
room bad within IL cot upon which |
was q mattress and q counterpane as |
white as driven snow, and pillow as
white. The rooms are well constructed |
to admit both light and air, and what
was commendable there were no doors
to the rooms. thereby removing the ap-
pearance of prison life. Each room had
Its little chair and peg upon which to
hang clothing.
What was particularly noticeable
was the entire absence of that nauseous
and sickenin eiiuvia found in prisons
and aims houses. The strictest atten-
tion ia paid to cleanliness and ventila-
tion. In this dormitory ia boys slept
in ia beds in ia rooms. This, with
three other iormitories, accommoda ated
s56 boys. But we had to pass along,
and as we passed we were shown the
chapel In which the boys met for
worship and TIE largo dining room
where over 400 boys took their mea Is at
once.
Leaving these apartments we were
conducted across large yard laid off
into recreation grounds by paved
walks and graveled squares where the
boys were permitted 10 play. Large
pavilions afford shelter from both
sun and rain. These pavilions
are supplied With benches upon
which the boys can sit, lay or play
at leisure. Large shade trees beautify
these grounds, and though outside the
walls of the institution Philadelphia was
rolling in rers2iration with the ther-
mometer above the nineties, here 1t was
pleasant. A cool draught of air seemed
to be ever on the move between the
buildings, Tustling the tree tops and
tanning the perspiring brow. Up to this
time only here and there boy was to be
seen. A few had finished their m mornings
task and were enjoying the hour before
noon. Here and there solitary boy
was posted, as if apparently on duty,
rs they were in full dress uniform and
were wide awake to all that was going
on. On inquiry we were informed
that these were sentinels on duty, on
the lookout for any infraction OF The
rules of the institution.
AS order is Heavens first law" 80
1t is the first law i'll til Is institution,
and the boys are taught not only TO OBJ
serve order themselves, but to see that
others kept order. Speaking of uni
forms, the uniform of these boys con-
sists of suit Of blue gray, with row
lof brass buttons on the coat, jaunty
little military cap, and neat substantial
shoes, not like prison gang shoes, but
Handsomely made, good enough to
wear TO church, either inside CT outside
of the institution. We said we're
crossing yard, so we are, but not a
small yard, few feet in extent where
boys would hardly have room enough
to play marbles, but large yard. con-
sisting of acres of extent, where they
1 ho tn, II hn hoI II or
or enjoy Any other athletic sport. In
/ this institution play and recreation il
deemed as necessary for boy g health,
happiness and comfort, as work and
school.
| A After passing over this large yard,
we are shown into shoe shop, where
some seventy odd boys were busy In all
the branches of shoe finishing. and iu
another room story higher, as many
more were engaged in the ipsipient
work belonging to the shoes, ykch as
pasting, stitching, etc.
Mr X n. Cochran, a gentleman who
has given the most of his life TO reform
work in such institutions, was in charge
lof this department, and well he under
stands his business. His rule Is exer-
cised in gentle manner, such as to
command the respect and obedience of
the boys. There Is an entire absence of
1.-THE Southern slave driving character in
the rule of these gentlemen who have
charge of the workshop. With them a
meritorious smile of recognition is
worth volumes in its effects upon these
boys, who are really not criminals In a
moral sense. but misguided into the
slippery paths of youthful sin, princi.
lpally though the neglect Of moral pa
| tnl i,,tn 10 harlh a
term for these kind-hearted overseers
who have charge Of the boys labor.
. They somehow come in and take the
. place of parents, and are to these boys
what they never had before, moral in
structors. What we say for one We say
for all, which includes Mr.. William
King, of the Gaming department. Mr.
f. II CLAM, of the tailoring department
3 and Mr.. N. Langerfelt, of the baking
department.
We might fill pages of an interesting
description of the process of labor IL
the various Departments, but time ant
space forbids it, while there are otbel
3 things we must touch before we close
: We will say however, that all the shoe'
D used in this institution are made by
theee boys and the surplus is sold cut
i side, the merchants down in Delaware
I and Mary land being ready purchasers
o These shoes are no common articles, bu
the best that are made, and include al
kinds, from the old fashioned " stogie'
to the Misses slippers. The shoe shop
!, the Gaming shop, the tailoring
department. the latter employing
3 some 200 boys, and the bakery, ar
veritable hives of industry.
The boys look happy and contended
AZ they WELD their instrum ents OF labor
but no doubt their minds are bus.
= thinking Of the indiscrstions of tn
: past that took them away from hom
u and parents and consigned them to
u reformatory institution. In our wall
through the tailoring establishment W
: came across a Wilmington boy, of whom
' we spoke in Saturdays REpUBLICAN
y He was only about twelve years Q
. age, and had only been week or 30 Il
the institution. He bad not yet 60
J, used to 1t and was very home-sick.
His parents may rest contented tina
y he is In q good place, and if he behave
properly he may in a couple OF years b
~ sent home reformed boy who will be
"a pleasure and a comfort to his parents :
"a Many interesting accounts might d
70 given of the reformation of boys an
a girls, but time will not permit in on
a. brief article. In one of the departme
, a boy was pon ted out to us. We In
stantly said why that is fine boy
"a he has a very good, mild couutenance.
=. On tie contrary, said our friend, he
q lone of the worst boys in the institution
~ He requires continual watching. Whe
y, he was taken away rom his mother h
- ell rsed her and threatened TO kill her