The Advance., 1889-10-10
REFORM SCHOOL BOYS AT A FAIR.

THE Topeka (Kansas) Daily Capital has the
following in reference to the recent visit of the
Kansas State Reform School boys to the State
Fair in that City:
At nine o'clock this morning the boys Of the
State Reform School arrived at the grounds
under the command of DR. Buck, headed by
their own band, lead by Mr.. Allison the in
structor They were transported from the
School by the Rock Island road to the city and
then marched by the way of Kansas-avenue to
the fair grounds. On reaching Eight-street
they countermarched and their band did some
good playing during the march. The boys are
dressed in gray suits with black stripe on the
pants The different companies are called fam
lilies, there being three, and each being under
the control of leader They were shown all
the exhibits on the grounds and then took their
dinner in the shade of the exposition hall. The
boys were greatly interested in all that they
saw and evidently enjoyed themselves. 1t was
the intention of those in charge to give parade
drill during the afternoon, but fearing there
would not be room it was given up. They all
behaved very nicely which SHOWS that they
have good discipline.
From which we infer that the Kansas Reform
School boy is very much like the Jersey one.
HI. J. BARBER, in communication to the
same paper, and in alusion to said visit to the
State Fair, says:
I have seen long columns of soldiers parade
the streets of Paris, and the armed German
horsemen moving in perfect order along the
been the sight of the limping, halting, columns
of old soldiers Of the G. A. r., for above them
and around them seem the glory OF the nation
for which they fought.
Perhaps a momentary spirit of excitement
warped my Judgment, or a feeling OF interest in
the bows exalted their Importance, but be that
as it may, the sight of the boys of the Reform
School in yesterdays parade seemed something
that might fill the courts OF heaven With re-
ioicing.
A long line of young men and boys in neat
suits, with their own excellent band, to which
they kept step, and an evident respect for their
pray-haired leader. was itself pleasing sight
But to think that the State has taken these
boys from so many downward roads and is fit
ting them for usefulness by educating and re-
forming them in so many and such noble ways
is subject that fills us with admiration Tor what
we call {" the state"
Boys with noble impulses dwarfed IN mlsfor-
tune and evil associates are taken into the free
sunlight of noble life and the good expands
while the evil dies. Boys who have within them
gifts which fit them to become either great Grim
inals or great men, have wise guides pointing
out the way to usefulness and honorable means
of self-support placed within their grasp.
Instead of the sound of Oaths and r1bald
songs they have their own martial music, and
instead Of idlng away their time in billiard halls
or low resorts they have marched before us with
the erect form and firm step so characteristic OF
men.
The State is called upon to help in almost count
| less ways developing her resources, but in her
educational work she is developing that which
| is Of infinite value.
In taking the youth by the hand and leading
them from darkness to light she is doing an an
| gels work.
Move on, boys of the Reform School, with
your manly step to your heart-thrilllng music.
| Grow into useful men and help strengthen the
State that has saved you. Build schools where
otherwise might be jails and churches where
otherwise might be saloons. Give your strong
arm to the service of art and industry in the
haunts now cursed by ignorance and vice.
When you shall hold the helm Of state, as
perhaps you will, and the mantle of charity shall
! have covered your early Mistakes both preach
| and practice the divine command, 'Do unto
others as you would be done by" and, might
add, as you have been done by.
JUDGING from the following item in the Jour-
na1, the Ohio Reform School boys have been
living high this Fall. 1t says:
an interview with Berg learn that the estimated
production of vineyards about eight tons OF this
amount four and tons sold to aSandusky rm
ton sold to neghbor and the remainder used at home
For the information of people interested in grape culture
would that this very short The most of
vineyards of the Concord variety which total fail
this The other varieties did not develop well
account of the heavy rains at the time the in
country.
Just imagine our New-Jersey boys sitting
down to feast offive thousand pounds ofgrapes,
or even half that amount We fear we should
hear more of them complaining about "having
a painv'
THE State of Iowa is in trouble, because the
population Of it's State prisons have fallen off