Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-01

have been cultivated. The average yield
of hay was two tons to the acre. Sweet
corn has proved one of the most profitable
crops, the receipts for corn sold for canning.
have more than paid for the cost of growing
and harvesting, leaving for additional profit
the fodder which 10 an important factor in
providing feed in the autumn for our large
herd of cows.
By purchase Of the Coleman farm,
twenty acres Of excellent lands have been
added to our f1elds. More than half of this
farm is suitable for early gardening.
Many repairs and improvements have
been made about the school and farm build
ings. Good ventilation for the large chair
shop has been obtained.
The income from the Saudtord fund has
been expended in buying books for the
library.
Religious services are held every Sab
bath in the chapel. These services are
conducted by clergymen and laymen with
out remuneration.
In concluding his report Superintendent
Harrington says that = Kindly regard for
| each other and spirit Of devotion to their
work prevails among the officers Of the
school, they being deeply interested in the
welfare of their charge and labor faith
fully for their reform.
In his report to the Governor and Coun.
ell, Hon. ID. W. Allen. chairman of the
visiting committee to the school says:
IF the voters and tax payers Of Maine
would visit their Reform School they would
be gladly received and convinced that q
grand work is being done there and that iis
affairs are being economically administered
and believe that the niggardly appropria,
tons go grudsingly doled out by our biennial
legislature would be doubled in amoun,
and freely given. hear it said BY people
it "only makes graduates fer prisons" In
reply admit that occasionally . boy aos.
almost direct from the school to prison, bu,
where one goes to prison three 90 out to
make honest, respectable and Law abiding
citizens; ard when we consider from what
class Of people these boys are taken and
that seventy-tive out Of every hundre dc
become good citizens, / submit that the re
suits are not only wonderful but startling
showing as they do what can be done BY
correct methods properly carried out"
The principal and only industry that paw,
q direct revenue 10 cane seating chairs. Il
is . light, pleasant task compared t.
the more laborious and dirty work Of
the farm and stables, and yet the boys pre-
fer the out Of door work because Of thu
greater freedom. The mechanical shop il
which they have an engine and boiler. hant
saw, lathe and other machinery, besides
complete outfit of bench-tools for each O
the six or eight benches, 10 place that tn,
boys are very desirous Of being assigned to
The clothing is all made, even to the knit
ting Of the stockings on q machine, by th'
boys under the guidance of suitable lad,
instructor. The laundry, house cleaning
ordinary repairs Of buildings and all pos
sible kinds Of work are done by the boys
and happy are the boys Who are allowed I
wait upon the officers tables and look afte
the lawns and flower gardens. The greate
} the diversity Of labor the more satisfsctor
, and bs nefcial the results to the boys, an
, every new industry that can be made PROD,
. able should De added"
"As the prices received for bottomin
chairs have been cut down nearly one-hal
within the last year. something equally .ati.
factory but more lucrative 10 desirsble.-
. "Punishments are regulated by the stai
ute. A record Of them 10 kept in boo
/, open for the inspection Of trustees and CON
' mitfee. II corporal punishment 10 admir-
! isterei the record shows the number I
: blows and with what inflicted Close cor
Anement 10 limited to seven days and the
, cannot receive any less or different foc
, thar the other boys
r The hospital record 10 the stronee
/; proof Of the excellent care that 10 exerciss
! over the boys, and doubt il singie hon
l. in the Sta:e Of Maine can show . r.
r portionate record Of freedom from sicknes
{ The system Of grading 10 based on goe
conduct. Every boy enters the school ~
o second class boy. They can break u
= rules and 60 down to third class, or the
!, can obey and rise from second to hrn elias
b from that to honor. and any boy can ~
r bis right to 90 out IN two years time ..
e viii be allowed to do - - soon - sui
y able home can be found for hin.
"Ths cottage sysssn is step in he Tis