Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-11-08
LETTER FROM MONTPELIER

The writer went to Vergennes with
the joint committee on the reform
school, and spent a day pleasantly
in examining this reformatory insti-
tuition of the state. The school was
established at Vergennes some ten OF
twelve years ago, after the burning
of the buildings at Waterbury. We
were more convinced by this visit,
than heretofore, that the statement
of many is correct, when they allege
that the state made great mistake
in changing the location of the
school. The farm aud buildings are
situated pleasantly on the Otter
Creek, little west of the city-the
oldest, and at the same time the
smallest, city in New England
where the beautiful falls of the river
are in sight, and the surrounding
scenery is delightful. The farm con-
sists of 1872 acres of land, most of 1t
fit for cultivation. The state has
erected commodious barns and out
buildings, keeps a stock of several
horses and twenty odd head of cattle,
with a large piggery. The farming
is under the management of a farm
boss who appears 20 conduct the bus
mess well. The main building is the
house proper, which contains in it.
self the ordinary departments of a
house, with large school rooms, dor
mitories, a chapel, gymnasium, and
work-room. This building cost
So, 900, and is a large, pleasant,
convenient structure in every respect.
1t has capacity sufficient for all the
hayward boys who may be sent
there. The girls building is situa-
ted some forty rods distant, and is
comparatively small. Here twenty
or thirty girls can be accommodated.
At present there are seventeen girls
and seventy-three boys in the insti-
tuition. The girls are nearly all
taken 10 the. institution for one Of
tense. While it is said that seventy
five per cent of the boys turn out
we'll when given their liberty, most
of the girls continue their evil prac-
tees after their terms of imprison-
ment expire. Many of the boys are
small, some of them not seven years
of age, while only a few are twenty
They average fairly good looking.
and only few have faces that be.
token malicious or desperate charac
tiers. The system of discipline anG
instruction is such as to encourage
good behavior and reform. All The
inmates are marked for behavior
| OSiO0o III eACii otuuioo, anu SeucI d
department, and under certain regu
lations the marking determines thei
standing, with reference to furlough
and discharge. Everything indicate
that the institution is we'll managed
and credit to the state.
The work of legislation absorb
the time and attention of all mem
bers, and they are working hard AM
conscientiously. Among the NOR
important measures considered las
week were those relating to woma
suffrage, insurance matters, temper
ance, railroad commission bills, wit
an amount of private matters tha
have interested many parties frol
: different towne. The bill for settin
Greensboro into Caledonia count
has been introduced, and the propos
tion to make two shires in Orane
: county has also been put into til
3. hopper of the house. There have bee
lively discussions in the house ovt
some minor matters. The woma
suffrage question hes been dispose
of in that body by granting the rigl
= to all women who have a list of tW
> dollars. The bill is hung up in Il
> senate, but there is a prospect TIL
: the upper house will grant the priv
: lege in some form. The senate hi
{ passed bill increasing the salari
of supreme court judges to $500
with necessary expenses, not to e
e coed $500. The judges are compe
Il ed to hold courts on the itinera
- system. from county to county. a
y attempt to hold all supreme courts
y Montpelier was defeated in the Sc
/ ate by small vote.
i The two houses met in joint q
sembly at 2,30 Thursday afternoon
'e elect state officers, all of whom we
: elected by reclamation except t
u second supervisor of the insane. T
&c following were elected:
a. Sergeant-at-Arms, L. G. Phinnt
III Brigade Commander, Col. w.
Greenleaf of Winooski.
10 Adjutant and Inspector Gener
-. Gen. T. S. Peck.
Il Quartermaster General, Col.
as H. Gilmore of Fairlee.
ne Judge Advocate General, G
cA George L. Childs.
II State Superintendent of Edu
IS ton, Hon. Justus Dart of Spri
Gu field.
icy Trustees of the University of V
&C. mont and State Agricultural Collie
ere J. S. Morrill,, Col. A. B. Frank
ell III. F. Hill.
ny Trustees of Reform School, III.
erS Start of Bakersfield, j. n. North
; Shoreham, I. G. Fletcher of