The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-29

discipline and cOntrOl. The superintendent
who has had twenty years experience with
the family plan, Informed me that statistics
proved that the refOrmatory results were
twice as good as under the old or congregate
system. He said that attempts TO run away
were rare because the boys came to love
| their good home and a sense Of honor was
developed In them with pride in good be-
haylor and order. Judiclous training, with
| firm law Of kindness, brought out the best
| In each pupil; while the more intimate rela-
tons OF the officers with their little portion
OF the school enabled them 10 study more
successfully the disposition and needs OF
/ every one.
1t is from my earnest desire that our State
may adopt this system for our own reform
| school, recognizing that the plan has passed
the stage OF experiment, that | have ven
| tured TO dwell upon it in de all. AS a mem
| Der OF the visiting committee / have en-
ueaV0red 10 study and follow out the cases
OF many individuals In our school, and | am
convinced that q large number Of failures
to accomplish all that we have wished TO do
In the way Of reformation may be directly
traced TO two things: First, and all import
ant, Is the indiscriminate association OF the
young with older and more hardened Of
tenders; and secondly, the impossibility,
with a numerous and crowded school, for
the officers to study individual character.
The first point may be emphasized BY an
occurrence OF the last year 10 our own school.
Two OF the older boys induced younger
| one, who had more liberty In the front Of the
| mouse. 10 assist them to escape. In a few
hours they deserted him, and he was at once
returned 10 the school. while some time
elapsed before the others were retaken. OF
necessity the younger boy was for while In
disgrace.
We have in the school many small boys.
committed for vagraney, truancy or petty
larceny: Misehlevops and full Of life, they
cannot keep TO the rules which are necessary
under the eongregate system; but under
the family plan, with only the youngest boys
together, as distinctly dissOciated from the
rest as II they were In another town, these
could easily be controlled and benefited.
we nave endeavOred to Impress upon the
boys that 1t Is no disgrace to be committed
10 the school; that we remember how, In
many Instances, the influence Of their sur
roundlngs has been responsible for their
lished with the kind purpose Of giving them
chance OF becoming good men, and not for
punishment. Will not the State see 10 Il
that the chance Is made a certainty by Civ
Ing them every advantage which the progress
sibleY y ~ ~
There haye been no serious complaints In
the school during the past year, and even the
petty grievances Of such an institution have
diminished IN number. While several letters
have each month been written by boys 20
the committee, the tone Of these has indl-
cated that the writers fully appreciate the
opportunity OF talking over their discourage
utnto hbQ 5uttto5t5 Will OtutI IFIeDUS tuun
the officers Of the school, and almost always
they have responded TO good advice.
The trust which the boys put In US Is most
touching, and ends In their greater conf
denee and obedience towards their superin-
tendent and teachers.
OF the five boys for whom have found
employment during the year, three have
given satisfaction In their places, while two
were returned TO the school Two are In
good homes 10 the country; and from each
hayereceiyed such gratifying reports as would
to record.
would like to emphasize again the import
ance OF having an agent employed by the
State, and charged with the duty Of finding
homes and employment for the boys when
released. as well as Of paying regular visits
20 those who are indentured TO make sure OF
boya s%sl asre lsrehg ing proper care Some Of the
years; but II allowed to return TO their
homes would be liable TO fall again under
temptation 10 wrong doing. For such, suita-
pie homes can be found in the country but
70 secure them to an honest life will require
special care and oversight.
In my report last year / quoted from few
letters received from the .'letter box" You
may be Interested to know that two Of the
writers have been hOuorably discharged dur
ing the present year Not long since letter
came from one OF them, Of which / give Won
part. Dear Friend | was sorry 10 hear
by your letter that some Of the boys tried to
NotePO nun thC otuoOl. IL SHOWS Lunt ElfN
did not think Of the good thing the State was
doing for them. l wish all the boys could
realize as have the benefits they receive
from going 10 the Reform School / do not
nnd y as easy TO do right outside as when
was trying In the school thank you for
all the words of encouragement you have
ever given TO me, l know that they have
helped me great deal"
The boys Of the mechanical shop are much
interested In their work, and all Of the nee
essary repairing about the building Is done
Dy them. BY tho kindness OF Mr.. Little the
hospital room has been tastefully fitted up.
Out the hard wood, inlaid floor was the work
% tne boys under the direction Of their pop
application OF their instruction makes the
boys appreciate its value more highly
The dining room and school rooms need at
tentiOn. and wUuId nave arrUatiy-taan i'm
proved had not the appropriation been ex-
hausted ia more necessary work.
From the officers Of the institution We
have received the utmost courtesy, aud there
mas been entire harmony between the trus-
tees and the visiting committee All sugges-
tions from us have received ready hearing
and prompt action from the trustees.
In general the school Is In excellent condi-
ton, and g yielding as good results as are
possible, under the present system OF indis-
criminaEe association Tor all classes Of its in
mates. Respectfully submitted
Portland, December. 1856. ''A'
HON. 5. C. HArcH's RECOMMENDATIONS.
Hon. 5. G. Hatch in concluding his fourth
annual report, makes the following recon-
mendationS:
At the November meeting Of the commit
tee, careful inspection Of the rooms In the
school building was made The rooms weis
neat and clean, and were kept in good order.
The application Of coat Of paint 10 the
woodwork would put them in excellent con-
ditioD; in fact, the school building inside
and outside, very much needs painting. 1
respectfully advise an appropriation for that
purpose. The large school room needs re-
pairs, the ceiling is in such condition as TO
render IL unsafe, and is liable to fall upon
the heads Of the scholars, and 1t ought 10 be
re-plastered at an early day. The windows
in the dining room should be enlarged ana a
new floor laid. Other changes could be made
IN that room which would greatly improve
its appearance. When the present system Of
ventilation was adopted two years agJ, the
appropriation Tor that purpose was not sufIi-
elent to extend i 70 all the departments A
further appropriation 10 complete the work
would be In the interest Of economy. and
would promote the health aud comfort Of the
inmates Of the school,
Considering the labor and responsibility ak-
tached to the duties Of the superintendent Of
the Reform School, the compensation. In NV
opinion, now paid TO that officer should be-
Increased, II not restored to the salary paid
by the State in 1878 for like services.
Fearing that the trustees would consider IL
out OF place In a member Of the visiting
committee TO refer 10 other changes and i'm
prONements which to my mind are highly
necessary to be made, viii make no further
suggestions in that direction. The institu-
tlOn Is In the hands Of an able superinten-
dent and board of trustees, and its needs
and wants will be by them laid before the
next legislature. | trust their recommenda-
tions will be favorably considered and a gen
erous appropriation made for the support Of
this institution.
In submitting my fourth and last report as
member Of the visiting committee TO the
State Reform School, desire TO express my
sincere thanks to Mr. and Mrs. harrington
for the uniform courtesy and Kindness rem
dered the committee In the Performance OF
official duties. The State Is 10 be eongrat,,
iateu upon having the valuable services OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Farrinkton In the responsible
positions they so ably and satisfactorily dll.