Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-06-18
Reformation of Boys.

columns Of the REPU BLICAN. They
should be carefully read and pondered
over by every parent, guardian and
child. In the entire absence Of any
place to which Maynard and incorri-
gible youths could be sent to be re.
Iormed and be tier trained than the
common county Jail, the Ferris Reform
school comes in like grateful oasis in
the desert OF vice and immortality that
surrounds and presents itself at once
to our favorable consideration. Large
numbers Of boys in Wilmington that
should be in house Of correction have
been permitted to go UNPUBLISHED simply
because Of the hesitation Of having Q Il
boy arrested, when there was no place
to send him than to jail, where he is
made worse by association with more
hardened criminals. Now, however,
the case is changed. The late John
Ferris saw the need Of some place
where boys could be sent, not to be
punished specially for their offenses, but
taught by appeals to their better nature
to become good and useful members of
society.
He may not have had all the details
of q reform school worked out minute
ly in his mind, but he had the correct
germ OF thought there that may lead to
wonderful results. In his magnificent
and large public heart he left seventy
I'VE thousand dollars to be invested in
such way as to bring about the re-
formation and reclamation OF some in
corrigible boy who was posting head
long down to ruin. Part Of the money
has been expended in the purchase of a
100 acre farm with good and suit
able buildings upon it adapted to the
purposes of the school. This is q good
start. 1t implies property and labor,
industry and reward. Boys sent to
this reform school need not be idle.
Here are crops to be raised, stock to
be taken care OF, the poultry interests
to be looked after, and cultivated and
rugged nasure may be smoothed by the
language Of flowers, which may here
be raised in large protusion not only to
please and beautify but for profit Boys
kept in idleness are not easily reformed
The little couplet, that 1.-THE Devil
finds some mischief still, for idle hands
TO do" is literally true. Therefore 1t
is . good omen of success that the man
agement of this reform school has pur.
chased such large farm where boys
can be taught to labor, and where they
will be given just recompense fol
their labor. We do not know whether
the question of labor and reward ha,
entered very far into the calculation
of the intelligent and efficient gentle
men in charge of the school, but if i
has not it should. There is nothing
0)nduces more to the reformation of
boy than to be provided with pleassn
and useful employment. Morals, ethic
and lectures are good enough in thei
places, and cannot be dispensed with
but action, labor and reward are no les
indispensable. The farm purchases
will afford labor, and give the boys al
opportunity Of raising crops, stock
chickens. fruit and poultry. If pro
perly encouraged and taught it will b
wonderful to witness the transtorma
tion of boy from a life Of idlenes;
more often of crime, TO life of useful
ness and honesty.
Much of the success of such an inst
tuition will depend upon the Superb
dent, who will have the entire charge {
the school. We believe that in the S,
lection of VIM. D. Pickles, the maj
ayers have hit upon the right man. H
reform ideas are of q practical nature
and what is more he has heart for II
work before him which he realizes
once to be arduous, requiring IL
grea test exercise of patience, kindnes
frmness and determination all mi,
gled together. His object will be to r
form the erring ones committed to b
care. This he will try to bring abol
in various ways. The same rule {
course Of conduct he will find cannot |
carried out with all and he will be con
PEELED to exercise q great degree
judgment to bring about beneficial T
suits. He will find he will have I
boarding school where scholars con
we'll dressed, mannerly and with We
Allied pockets, Just the reverse will
the case.
His pupils will come from the wor
classes of society. Their educat b
been in the primary schools of vic
They will be sent to this reform schC
because their parents can do nothi
with them at home. The pests of {
ciety at large, they are, if possible,
be brought under influences that it
hoped will return them 10 society
formed and transformed into promisi
young men. The undertaking IL a gre
one, but it is one fruitful of tenefic
results. There is not bad, incorrigi
boy about the city that has not
some tender spot in his nature that c
be resched-some hidden spring
years untouched that can again be m 8
to vibrate with the touch of kindn
and sympathy. To search out and
reach these hidden points, but poi
that do exist, will be the duty OF !
Pickles.
Though cynics may sneer at the il
OF manhood in some of the boys "
poster society, nevertheless it does
list, and Mr.. Pickles will appe Il to h
manhood, that better nature in DO
soul, that is not dead but sleepeth.
1t vii! be noticed that the insti
ton Is very firmly backed up by Ia
and will be as firmly backed up
public opinion. Citizens who have |
their hen roosts, pigeon cots, pear
chsrds and truck patches robbed fir
time to time by boys whom they wo
not arrest simply because they wo
have to send such boys to jail, will
DO 30 leniept now. 1t will be "
little trouble to have such boys ares
and sent to the reform school, VIII
they will be taught something better
Another thing: Boys will find Il
although they may not be locked
cells, and fastened with ankle ire