The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-03-20

Mr.. dolls, bundled into cabs at LIS
O'Clock In the afternoon, and start
ed out to pay visit to the Ferris Re-
form School. President Buckingham
logged along after In his Jennie Lind
drawn by his $40 nag A number of
the directors OF the institution,
amongst whom were DIR. Caleb Harlan,
President OF the Board, George G.
Lobdell, Lewis Thompson. q. Wesley
Weldln and Alfred Gawthrop reached
the Institution in advance Of the Levy
Court.
The latter got there about Q O'Clock
and were heartily received by the Super
intendent A. 4. Haines, his amiable
wife and the directors. The latter had
been Joined by ex-Sheriff II. Lewis Arm
strong, who has one Of the best farms
In New Castle County right across the
road from the school. The ex-Sherlff
was in such o jolly humor that when
he laughed he shook all over like q
bowl full of jelly, and the friendly
shake OF his had was something akin
to being squeezed In a wise. The ex-
Sheriff is Intensely interested in the
success OF this school.
After introductions were over in the
reception room Superintendent Haines
acting the cicerone, conducted the
company oil through the building,
visiting the sleeping apartments, the
dining rooms and then out and through
another building containing the cook
Ing and washing departments. Every
thing was as clean and bright us new
pins. There are ~ boys In the institu-
ton. a majority of them colored, and
each OF them has sleeping cot with
covering as white as the drifted snow.
| Owing to the crowded state OF the
school, black and white boys all sleep
In the Same room, eat at the same Ia
bles, sit together in the same school,
learn the same lessons, sing the same
songs with the least disorder OF clash
Ing of interests. Still it Is thought by
the manager that 1t would be to the
best interests Of both races II they
were separated.
The boys are taught 10 all kinds of
work about the place. They are
learned to cook, to wash, to sweep, to
wait upon the tables, to laundry, to
sew on buttons, and TO embroider be-
sides going out to take turns at work.
Ing on the farm, and doing chores
around the barn. Director Armstrong
called attention to some very pretty
turkeys that were raised about the
place, and which were very domestic
In their habits.
After the buildings had oil been done
up, the company was ushered into the
schoolroom, where tho AZ boys were
seated. each behind his desk, dressed
in military blue roundabouts with
brass buttons, and with arms aklmbo.
Though the visit of the Levy Court
was rather unexpected most interest
ing and creditable programme OF ex-
erclses had been hastily thrown to-
gcther. The literary exercises com.
menced by the boys singing, Ring
tho Bells" They did make the room
ring and were heartily applauded.
William Benson gave a very fair reel
taticn of the Present Times" Come
to the Forest" was splendidly sung by
n trio composed of Charles Colwell
Thomas Smith and Edward Stafford
Levy Courtman Hutchinson, who is lea
der of church choir at Townsend was
SO taken with Smiths alto that he will
hardly ever be happy again unless he
has him in his choir,
A little round-headed white boy
showed wonderful proficiency In mum
Grafton and carried his notation bach
farther than any others in the room
amongst the visitors had ever henrd
before. This boy in n recitation saiC
he expected to be President of The
United States yet. A half grow
colored boy convulsed all present by
saying that his ambition was to be {
politician. The exercises In history
would be credit to any school. Al
exercise an the blackboard by elias
showed wonderful proficiency in com
putting interest.
The exercises were concluded by TIN
Ferris Quartette, composed OF Charles
Colwell, Thomas Smith, Edward Stat
ford and Frederick Merrell singing
J Good Night. After this, Levy Court
man Hutchlson was more determined
than ever to engage Smith for his Town
send choir.
At tho conclusion OF the exercise
: Alfred Gawthrop, chairman OF the eX
, ecutiye committee, made n short nd
dressin which he urged the Levy Cour
: to make an appropriation to assist Il
the maintenance Of the institution. III
said it was accomplishing much goot
, among the hayward youth but as til
number OF boys was increasing over
J week, the appropriations We're tho sam
and the endowment were unable +
, to meet the current expenses. He RI
/ viewed the work accomplished by tn
school ut length. and said the caus
1 was worthy one, and should be aide
with public lunds.
President Buckingham, on tho part {
| tho Levy Court, cnmplmented th
school for rs creditable exhibition, an
spoke in the highest terms OF th
great good the institution was doing
/, He was very favorable to extending al
= to SO worthy n cause,
!, AT $50 the visitors left for home wit
\ the most favorable impression OF ii
Ferris Industrial School.