The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-12
Hhez. Leaveng Powe-U. Govt Report Aug 1889
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ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOLUTELY PURE

longs. The most careful and best directed
effort would not make OF him $ good c;ti-
zen, bu; would only result in loss Of time
and money 10 the state. On the other
hand. there IS 4 chance worth taking with
the youth who IS not irre.rievabsy bad
NJ. WesteHdorf saws he conducts the
school on the open plan" No walls sur
round il. There are four or i've unarmej
guards upon the premises and no other
protection against escape Is considered
Necessary. When 8 new boy Is brought
IN he IS given 10 understand the situation
ne must face. He IS told that he may so
II he can elu3e the guards. but the whole
state viii be against him when ne passes
outside the bounds. He IS shown that
there : not one chance in 4 thousand OF
covering MS tracks. Some time since
several boys made attempts 10 set away.
AL were returned By officers. These ex-
amples have had their effect and an
escape has not since been under
taken. The newcomer IS further given
70 distinctly understand that as long as he
keeps within the bounds prescribed for
his conduct he vii. De well treated, but no.
longer. Such promises are faithfully car
RED oGt. and Il Is the personal testimony
OF several boys tina. there 5 bat one path
which IS safe 20 follow; others are beses
with geea. discoEltors and difficulty
LAS long as boy behaves himself" said
enc from Seattle. '.he can't MAKE any COM
paint about his treatment"
The duties OF the inmates are those OF
school,. workshop and caring for their
rooms and belongings. Progress with
books IS made slowly, for these boys. as =
general thing, mast begin at the begin
ming. In the shop they do surprisingly
well AL the shoes worn by the boys are
made IN the institution. and are nos bad
specimens OF the coboier's art Some
rough carpenter work has been done. The
superintendent hope. in the near future 70
furnish opportunities for the boys 20 learn
printing, tailoring and one or two other
trades.
\ factor net to be despised in the eduea-
ton and intellectual advancement OF these
boys Is the musical training they receive.
Music hath charms 20 soothe the savage
breast; it does much for boys picked up
out OF the sums. Several song circles
have been formed among them and they
have small but growing orchestra Of
their own Under the personal supervis-
"
haye been obtained.
The numerous methods of inpartine in
struction 20 the boys cannot be explained
By the iaymen. The superintendent has
q Way OF turning every incident and event.
every important occasion, the presence Of
every visitor, 20 : useful purpose. No
audience o. children in the state will show
liveiier interest in . practical talk by an
outsider, Or a keene- appreciation OF the
good things he may say.
Does the reform school reform7 Why
shouldn't il. i child who has taken his
first lessons in sin. and doubtless learned
them well. one whose surroundings are
such that no course bur one Of crime IS
open 10 him. is h-oasht within ats pre-
eincIs. Here he is given the opportunity
he never had before. In 81 probability be
has never lacked more than this oppoE-
tuni1y. With !. he Is on even terms
with his fellows. Earnestly and with
human kindness the seeds o[ clanlinass.
sobriety. honesty and industry a-e planted
IN his breast, He IS taught something Of
ooSs; he IS taught useful trade: he IS
taush; she principles OF good citizenship.
Left TO his own devices ne would have
been an enemy 10 society. Why shouIda',
lie now become one Of its defenders? The
chances are tina. he Will.
An invitation Is cordially extended by
the superintendent 10 the people of the
state generally 70 visi, the school ~ any
time and inspect the work done Il Is one
Of his PET beliefs that the state has no.
completed its duty when il has merely
provided place Of refuge fo- It's WAITS; he
thinks al interest shown in them BY the
people goes iac IN assisting the work OF
education