Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-19
THE STATE REroRM SCHOOL.
What journal Correspondent Saw
There.

Reform School, on Cape Elizabeth 1t is To-
Gated at the brow of slight eminence, on a
| point Of land at the head of Portland harbor,
one of the most beautiful and slightly spots
| in the vicinity of Portland.
| Though very near the city in a straight
| line, it is about four miles drive distant
| by the road
The structure loses none Of its formidable
ness On near approach. 1t is of brick, high
and massive, and built in the form of cross
The body of the building is surmounted by a
cupola, and the outer corner of each wing is
hanked by tower.
| 1t faces toward Portland, overlooking
well-kept lawn, and commanding fine view
| of parts of Portland and the harbor. At the
| immediate rear of the building are play
grounds, enclosed by high fences. In visit
| ing the institution the casual visitor has ad-
vantages and disadvantages. He sees every
thing in its normal and routine condition !;
but his observations must be cursory and
partial; consequently his impressions are
| often misleading and incorrect So observa-
tons under such circumstances can only be
excepted in most general way, as impress
sions at first sight.
One will often get strange ideas of a place
which he has never seen, through the mere
workings of the Imagination. To my mind
the State Reform School was place of
armed guards, dark, narrow rooms and grated
Windows place of terror, if not of actual
peril, TO the visitor. 1t was, therefore, a
feeling of deep relief, we approached the
| school, to see a number of the officers vainly
trying to master the art of riding bicycle,
seemingly unconscious of any impending
danger, while few of the smaller boys were
playing about the barn, and half dozen of
the older ones bringing in the nights milk
ing.
The Reform School proper is confined to
single building and adjacent yards, in which
not only the scholars are confined, but also
in which all the officers have their quarters.
In fact, it resembles large boarding school,
as, essentially, it is. The school is conducted
in connection with a large farm, which serves
to keep portion of the boys employed
good part of the year.
The basement of the building is occupied
by the dining room, kitchen, wash room,
bath room and engine room. The first floor,
that part of it dcro.0l to the use of the
which there are three, and workshops.
On the floor above is the reading room, the
hospital, and the dormitory. The reading
room has an ample, well selected, and appar-
emily well patronized library. The hospi-
tai is a large, airy, pleasant room, but evil
IDENTIFY has little occasion to be used. The
dormtory is large room, filled with single,
iron cots, set near together, each covered
with a clean white spread
On the third 1sor is the chapel a large,
plain hall, used for religious and miscelan-
eous exercises.
The entire building is supplied with water
from Sebago, heated by steam, and con-
nected, in every part, by electric bells and
telephone system.
In a general way, the day is divided about
as follows: breakfast at six; work from
seven till twelve and from one till
two; school from two till six; play
from six till bed time, which is at eight.
But the second and third periods have
intermissons for recreation. The regular
work of the boys consists mostly in weaving
chair bottoms, and in work upon the farm.
They also do all of the house work and all
other work upon the premises, which they
are capable of doing. They take care of
the rooms make their own beds, and do all
of the cooking sewing and washing.
Certain ones are taught to cut and make all
their clothes, and knit their own stockings.
For these purposes there are sewing and
knitting machines which the boys run.
As we went through the building we saw
boys there at work cooking and ironing.
With very few exceptions they take great
pride in their work, and everything about
the premises is neat and orderly.
The education of the boys is probably
large per cent better than that acquired by
the average common school scholar; for
attendance must be constant and regular,
and the best teachers, only graduates of
Normal schools, are employed.
We went through two of the school rooms
where the schools were in session In all
respects they appeared the same as any
graded district school. In one room class
in geography was reciting in the other
class in arithmetic.
Ample time is given for play. The boys
are allowed to talk among themselves at
these times and enjoy themselves as best
they can There is not that constant and
unrelaxed restraint-as indeed there Is no
need of-which had expected to find In
the summer first division boys are often
all owed to go in swimming. and in winter
coasting and skating, under charge of officers
But only the most trustworthy boys are
allowed these privileges, and they seldom or
never take advantage of them by attempt
ing TO run away. 1t does not take long for
an experienced officer to tell who OF them
can be trusted and who can not
The discipline is strict, with incidental IN
dulgences. if | may coin the term. Instant
obedience is, of course necessary, and is en-
forced. The boys are graded IN three
divisions, on basis of behaviour. First
class boys are allowed the greatest freedom
and these only are allowed to work outside
upon the farm. Third-clsss boys are con-
fined to the building and yard, and are never
Lola ~
privileged according to their general trust
worthiness.
Punishments. of course, must be CON-
meusurate with the character OF the misdoer
and the aggravation of the offence, but In
general a system of merits aid demerits Is
found sufficient.
Discipline in all sub-ofiices, is restricted 10
the giving of dement's and standing on 'he
r- All barsher punishments can be IN