Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-10

Reform 0chooi lGasssss-
/ VI he iass eesseii esnai.<e - she ~
form school Chairman Allen ssys IN course
Of his fema1ks:
i Aore than tUo 1Gxnaa0d boys have Srsd.
nafed II may - a1lewed the sern1 from
ins echeel ard shj1o - Alumni do no.
esse 70 sdsessise thefs Ara Mater. re. in
.nsir RIO OF more yfsu 81 sendy a,d trsis-
in9. more thar ~ aItrds Of them hsys
laid the fouadada1fsS useful lives, UPON
which they are bsiIding hsaorabIe char
acsss and respected citizenship.
We also know the actual number who
nays aaaily reached STATE Prison /, less
than oae-tenth and that The other nire-
tsnths have been subjected 10 the additional
nsgfsce srd stigma thrown uoon them By
the proR5rionslly few Who we're de:ernines
TO 60 vrorg am aware thas very many
people nnsq7ainod with the school viii
honestly dsab. these statistics, but I An
happy to say that the actual facts
Known 10 those in charge of the
work, prove the Truth Of the asser.i N.
also claim had II not been Tor
she Reform school. the probabilities are
mat more than oae-haif inssead Of one tenth
would have gone TO the State Prison. OF
ccufse fhis stsfemezt cannct be backed up
| oy statistics. bat knowing that nearly ill OF
inese boys come TO the school with inheri-
I'D - well a. trsiasd desires for evil sad
| wfong-toinz, macy Of them homeless, from
dens OF vice and iniquity, feel that have
not oyeressiniAted the probable results had
Z no: been for the good work done 3, the
Reform School
AZ 70 An Old sAying that ''ihe most severe
critics are those that know the least Of the
subject criticized In the hustle and Lur
~ o. our age. many good people cannot
give time to the Reform School, because
hey realize they DO no. devote a. much
Tine - they ough. to their own boys Yet
plead with you, father, and mothers ind
afne to keep your hoys from the Reform
School asd don't forget the boy, who have
gone there, many Of them from lack Of
suitable bone. Influences, more ahmed
against than shining. Above all things
DO not condemn ard severely criti.
cise shas Of which you know 90 little. If
| you cannot help do not rstsrd tie FOOD
VOTE The trusssesI and officers desire 10
make as many friends for the school a.
possible and for that purpose they most
eordislly invite all persons, interested or
]
mas taught that the more visitors they have
the more friends they make, because upon
investigation the work commends itself
even to the mos, predjudiced miod. lei.
only thirty minutes ride from the Union
station 10 Portland and two or three hours
time visiting the school will remove many
wrong impressions and make you an active
friend instead OF An ignoran, critic
When the sghaoi shAl baya kaa, an
dowed BY some wealthy philanthropic per
son. its name changed to that Of the donor,
a. was done in the Lyman School for Boys
In Massachusetts, cottages can be erected
ut small expense that will accommodate not
over twenty or twenty five boys. suitable
men and their wives can be found, who
with love for the work will make real
homes, something that many of the bows
never knew, the different homes 10 be
under general superintendent and trustees
ss now then we may see an ideal reform
school; then we shall see still larger
number saved, and read in the
daily papers less frequently the start
ling headlines, Another Reform School
boy gone to prison" But for this the State
cannot afford to wait the necessities are |
now. Our Legislators, while wrestling with
the ail-absorbIng question of equalization
OF taxation, must not forget to carefully
inform themselves of the needs and actual
necessities of the city ref0rmatory institu
ton in the State which does so materially
help to reduce the taxes BY reducing the
number Of criminals. l boldly hazard the
statement that for every dollar sppropri ,ted
for the school, ten hiss been saved to the
taxpayers of the State. Itwould seem uu-
necessary TO appeal to the legislature of
Maine from any other standpoint than that OF
philanthropy for large appropriation for so
worth cause. Large sums have been de-
servediy given to other institutions, not one
of which can show such a record for econo
my and beneficial results. Senators and
repre- sen'atives, increase your sppropris-
ton for the Reform School. because it
really needs il because i. will give YOU
greater return for your money than any
other Institution in the State. and because
its record for economy and judicious ex
penditures Is uEexcelled by any public in.
stitusioa in New E.nglaod.
In concluding Mr.. Alien says
urge the different church organizations
throughout the State TO organize committees
who will assist in finding homes for those
boys who shall have earned their dis
charge.
In conclusion, urge every supreme, su
perior and municipal judge TO CAREFUL,
study the reform school report for 1890 and
as far as possible scquaint themselves
with the institution to whom they are
Obliged to send 80 many Young
offenders. | also wish that every mem
Der of the Slxty-ffth Legislature would
Welt the Reform School this winter and
without prejudice study the methods ard
needs. am confident if they do that they
will vote for large appropriation and ever
remain friends of the school. / wish TO
| thank all with whom it has been my priyrl-
eye 10 be sssDcisted in Reform School work
for their uniform courtesy,
Respectfully submitted for the commit
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