The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-01-24
THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL.

In an interview with a reporter
lately, Governor Sylvester Pennoyer
explained why the state board of COM
missioners, appointed to secure site
for the state reform school have been
SO long selecting the ground.
"The board consists of myself as
governor, Secretary Of State Hon. G.
W. Mcbride, and Superintendent of
Public instruction Hon. E. B. McEl-
roy. At the last session of the Ore
gon state Legislature, the sum of $780,
600 was appropriated to pay for the
ground and erect the home. We at
once began to look about with view
to selecting the most favorable locality.
In our search we canvassed the entire
state. Land about Portland was held
too high. We thought for while
that the vicinity of Milwaukee offered
pretty good advantages, but it had its
drawbacks, too. During the month of
last May, we discovered that we could
buy the Warren farm, which lies four
miles south of Salem. The farm con-
sisted OF $50 acres, the price of which
was $ll, zoe. We concluded to buy
it, but as there was IA minor heir to the
estate, we had TO secure an order from
| court authorizing the sale of it.
'This step was accomplished only
this month, and week ago last Wed
nesday negotiations were brought to IA
close by the purchase, and now the
state owns the land Adjoining the
farm is piece of twenty acres, which
we bought. This purchase swelled the
outlay to $4,000. BY it we secured
access to Mill creek, from which
which abundant water power can be
taken. Thus. the school can carry on
Il manufacturing business, enabling the
inmates to learn various kinds of
trades.
''The sum of $4,000 now remains.
with which to do the building. Of
course, that is not enotish to carry it
to its entire completion. We can put
UP such structure as will admit of
wings being added to it. BY Il pro-
vision of the bill authorizing the es-
tablishment, all the brick used in its
composition must be made at the state
penltentiary. During the past year
the entire output has Eeen used in
building the new wing at the asylum.
This wing is longer than the one built
two years ago, hence it requires more
brick. Just as soon us we Can get the
brick, and it will net be long, we shall
begin operations Had we secured
tie ground and erect' d the building
last year, it would, Of necessity. have
stood idle, hecause the legislature did
not appropriate cent for operating it.
BY the time the legislature meets again
! it will be ready for occupancy.
think we have made the best selection
that WAS available. We got the ground
at low price and it is now worth
more than it was bought for 1t is
just near enough to the city, and is ON
the line Of the Southern Pacific, and I
think We can induce the company to
establish a station ~ the school.
There is no doubt but such an in
stitutiop will be great benefit to the
state. There are number Ct boys in
the penitentiary now who should not
be there. When the school is estab
lished 10 doubt provision will be
made for their removal to it. 1t is
shame that boys SO young should be
put in great prison among so many
hardened criminals. Regarding the
name of the institution, suppose it
will be called reform school, pure
and simple. 1t would he most too
nice distinction, | think, to give ii
mo,e aristocratiC name"
For short time only. Lots in Schenck IS