Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-13

believe that the niggardly appropriations "a
grudsingly doled out by our biennial Legis-
lafure would be doubled in amour. and
freely given.
hear it said BY people entirely unac-
quaineed with the school that it .sonly
makes graduates for prisons In reply l
admit that occasionally boy goes almost
direct from the school to the prison, but
where one goes to prison, three 90 out to
make honest, respectable and law abiding
citizens; and when We consider from what
class Of people these boys are taken and
that the sevensy-6ve cut Of every hundred
do become good citizens. submit that the
showing - they do wha, can be done BY
correct methods properly carried out.
Here follows Q description Of the daily
routine life. rules and regulations estab-
hshed by Law. etc.
The food is excellent. we'll cooked and
sufficiently varied.
Punishments are regulated by the stat
ute. A record Of them is kept in = book
open for the inspection Of trustees and
committee.
The hospital is . cool, quiet room open
ing from the dormi,ory but rarely used.
The hospital record is the strongest proof
of the excellent care that is exercised over
the boys. and doubt if single home in
the State of Maine can show q proportion
ate record Of freedom from sickness.
The principal and only industry that pays
direct revenue 10 cane seating chairs. 1t
10 light, pleasant task compared to the
more laborious and dirty wotk of the farm
and stabIes and yet the boys prefer the out
of-door work because Of the greater free
dom. The mechanical shop in which they
have IN engine and boiler, band saw. lathe
and other machinery, besides a complete
outfit Of bench tools for each Of the six or
eight benches, 10 place that the boys are
very desirious of being assigned to. The
clothing 10 all made even to the knitting Of
the stockings on q machine. by the boys
under the guidance of . suitable lady in
structress. The laundry, house cleaning,
ordinary repairs Of buildings and all
possible kinds of work are done by the
boys; and happy are the boys who are
allowed to wait upon the officers tables
and look after the lawns and flower gar
iens.
wish to speak of one great reason why
the Reform School should not be handi-
capped by the email appropriations. A
visit to the Insane Hospital or State Prison
Impresses the visitor with = sense of the
hopelessness there is for the future of their
inmates, for - rule they cannot look for
yard to any great improvement in their
present condition. In their case the State
needs only to see that they are properly
cared for and securely confined, but At the |
Reform School As the visitor stands in the |
ri n mol schont nj tnak. int h.,
faces of the one huadred and thirty FIVE |
boys before him he can see possibilities |
that through the mercy of God and the hu-
nanity of man may blossom into such
probabilities as shall insure glorious har-
vest. The school. like the hospital and
prison. needs money for the proper care
md for securely confning its inmates; but
I needs ii also for so many other purposes
hat it would be almost impossible to speak
# them in detail.
The cottage system is step in the right
Erection and the work already 50 auspi-
,iously begun must not be weak, uncer-
ain step, but long stride, and it can only
'e made so by larger appropriations and
reely given.
Increase the pay of the teachers, they
leserve it for the seven days a week they
iave to work. Increase the size of the
'lay grounds. Increase the variety of in
lustries as far as practicable, especially
Increase the amount Of Out-of-door work
" the raising of small fruits and market
,ardening Decrease danger from fire by
having more hose and always connected
when possible with water pipes. To the
iitferent church organizations of the State
recominei the creation of the church
who shall aid the officials of the
shool in their several towns TO find suit
lble homes for the boys who shall have
armed their discharge or are allowed to
cave at the expiration Of their sentence
Respectfully submitted for the Commit
ee, ID. W. ALLEN, Chairman