Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-09
FERRIS REFORM SCHOOL
MAKING MUOH PR0G sSs UNDER
THE NEW REGIME
Gratifying Results Under the New
Manngement-Mana and Ex-
ecuIive Committee at the Knstitu-
tiOn on Thursday.

GFafhyInE btehuAts BnneF tne NEW
Managcment-Mana and Ex-
ecuIive Committee at the EnAtitu-
tion on Thursday.
The board of lady managers and the
executive committee Of the Ferris Indus
trial School paid an official visit to the
school Thursday afternoon. The special
purpose of the visitors was for the reason
of acquainting themselves with The oondi-
tion OF affairs under the new manage
meIt.
Last autumn the board OF managers
deputed George s. Capelle and Wilmer
Palmer to go to Massachusetts for the
purpose OF Investigating the industrial
school question in that state, and to
endeavor, il possible, to obtain the ser
vices of an experienced superintendent
for the school here. The cause for the
latter part Of the commission which the
two gentlemen were given was due to the
continued dissatisfaction and i'll success
which seemed for some reason or other to
have attended the efforts of the superin-
tendents OF the school. The committee
returned, having gathered great deal of
practical information, and also reported
that they had acquired the services Of
Mr.. Fl. j. Skelling for superintendent,
with those of Mrs. Skelling as matron.
The committee reported the most hatter-
ing recommendations from the authori-
| ties of the state industrial school Of Mas
sRehusetts Of Mr. and Mrs Skelling, the
former having had three years. experience
OF the institution referred to.
| Among those present Thursday after
noon were Mrs. Henry Mendinhall, Mrs.
Eli Garrett, Mrs. William G. SpruAnos,
Judge Wales, George 8. Oapelle, A. D.
Warner, Wilmer PalDier,J. Taylor Cause,
| DR.. l.. p. Bush, II. Lewis Armstrong,
Alfred Gawthrop, George Lobdell, Sr.,
DIR. Caleb Harlan, DR.. Irvine Finn and
| others.
For half an hour the visitors made a,
scrutiny of the interior OF the building,
upstairs and down, inspecting the vari-i
oua apartments and dormitorles. Nothing
could exceed the extreme cleanliness and
order that the visitors discovered in every
direction. The building has recaived O
thorough refurnishing and fixing up since
December last, when Superintendent
Skelling took charge. The boys dor,ni-
tories nre as sorupulousiy clean as o.
Bellevue Hospital ward. The rows Of
neat iron bedsteads with their white COW
erlets received oommendation from all
the spectators. Similar approval was
accorded for the tidy appearance Of the
hospital where single patient was found
quietly awaiting q riddance from an at.
tack OF rheumatism. All the rooms are
light, bright aud airy.
The visitors were then invited to the
school room, very cosy, pleasant apart
ment, furnished with modern school
desks, wall bleokboRrds, organ and other.
scholastic needs. The apartment seats
about 30 boys. There were 26 present.
They appeared very intelligent and happy
and in the most robust good health
About half of them were colored boys.
A literary exercise lasting an hour was
gone through for the beheat of the board.
Il coEpr.sed singing Rzd fociKiiens,
which bespoke as much Of credit for the
young participants IS it argued necss-
ssry mutual good feeling and confidence
between the boys and their pHeceptors.
The recitations were delivered with a vim
and spirit that showed the boys enjoyed
their work. Their efforts were continually
spplauded by theAaudience.
One of the boys, q oolored lad, has die
closed remarkable aptitude for the
cooks profession. He will be encouraged
and will undoubtedly blossom out in the
| IuLUIJ Us bNtAl CuoA uG Culhluos
Alfred GaWthrop made q short address,
referring to the improvements recently
introduced and contrasting the present
flourIshiug condition with what it was
only few months ago. He was followed
by Judge Wales, whc expressed himself
delighted with what he saw. He spoke
very encOursgingly to the lads, congratu-
lsting them upon their pleasant surround
ings which he considered not bit in
ferior TO what he experienced when he
was at boarding school. Indeed il was
quite possible they were better OF in that
respect than he had been.
j. L. Cause was most pleased with the
appearance of the boys. Their intelli-
gent faces, clean, happy and cheerful,
delighted him. He predicted for them a
first. GLASS future.
DIR. Bush complimented Mr.. and Mrs.
Skelling and also the board OF lady
managers for the gratifying state of the
school.
George s. Cspelle also expressed his
pleasure over what had revealed itself AZ
the visit. he trusted the boys would
take advantage Of the opportunities so
pleasantly falling to their lot, and COM
plimented the superintendent and Mrs.
Skelling upon the appearance OF their
young charges.
DR.. Harlan then followed in few re-
marks also encouraging the lads to strive
for Improvement, assuring them that
their opportunities were equal with those
Of every one around them. Following
some remarks from Wilmer Palmer the
ladies' expressed their pleasure with the
present conduct Of affairs. The supsrin-
tendent thanked the visitors for their
kind expressions and invited them to the
dining room where repast had been pre-
pared.
The grounds and timber surrounding
the building are in perfect order and in
their beautiful spring drecs give the ap-
pearance of private park. After watch
ing the school boys for short time as
they played base ball all the visitors re-
turned to the city.
II is understood that several Of the boys
ore improving SO fast in merit that it will
be soon possible, from the number Of
credits they have acquired, TO recon-
mend them TO parties needing help Of
such a natuEs as the boys may be suit
able for.
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