The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-16
A COMMEMORATE INSTITUTION.
The New Whittier Reform School
for Boys and Girls.
Superintendent Walter Lfndley Praised
for His Excellent Management
What His Visitors Say.

So much reference having been made
of late 10 the Whittier Reform School, IN
Los Angeles County, and the good work
that is being done there through the ex-
cellent management of DIR. Walter Lind
ley, the Superintendent, that the RECORD
UNION deemed it advisable to secure
from State officials who have visited the
institution expressions of their views on
the subject The State had long been in
need of school of this character, where
hayward children might be placed under
wholesome restraint and reared to lives
of responsibility and usefulness.
GOVERNOR MARKHAM's OPINION.
When reporter called on Governor
Markham and asked him what he thought
of the Whittier School, its management
and the results thus far obtained, he said ::
sit is very gratifying to me to read in
the various newspapers the words of
commentator that are being spoken for
the Whittier Reform School. The entire
idea, so far as many of our citizens are
concerned, was an experiment, and, in
fact, until very lately was received with
a great deal of skepticism in many quar-
ters. The good work that is being done
at the Reform School, in the way of dis
cipline and education, however, has COM
PEELED everyone who has visited the
school to acknowledge its usefulness, and
the Superintendent is constantly receiy-
ing letters Of encouragement from all
parts of the State.
1.-The question that is now troubling
the management is the want of room.
The good reports that went out from the
school have had the effect of stimulating
peace officers everywhere to take adj
vantage of the opportunity for the train
ing of the incorrigible youth in their
neighborhoodS. An application has been
made to the Board of Examiners to allow
a deficit to be created to provide for the
admission Of cases until the meeting of
the next Legislature. Already build
ing has been rented in which some of the
girls are quartered, and the desire is to
rent additional buildings in which all the
girls can be accommodated.
''If this is done, and the girls cottage
vacated, the latter Will accommodate
many boys. 1t would, in my opinion,
be very unfortunate if admission were
refused to any boy or girl at this time.
1t would certainly be great hardship on
the authorities of San Francisco, who
have abandoned one of their institutions,
and who have no place but penal institu-
tons to which to commit such cases.
while have not visited the institu-
klOu I0CeiitlN, dLl COuNluc6u lnaL many
more boys can be accommodated in the
main building without being more
overcrowded than many other of our
State institutions.
''Dr. Lindley, the Superintendent, i'm
presses every one who visits the school
as being the right man in the rig hit
place, and one who thoroughly under
stands his business"
WHAT STATE SUPERINTENDENT AMBER
SON SAYS THE SCHOOLS
j. w. Anderson, State Superintendent
of Public instruction, recently visited the
Normal Schools of Southern California,
and, in reply to inquiry as to how he
found them, and especially as to his views
OF the management and work of the
Whittier Reform School, he expressed
himself as very well pleased with every
thing he saw.
He spoke admiringly of the new High
School building at Los Angeles as being
one of the finest institutions he has seen
anywhere, and stated that the schools
of Los Angeles were admirably con-
Quoted and of the highest standard of ex-
cellence.
During his tour Professor Anderson
visited all the schools at National City,
many in San Diego, spent one day in Los
Angeles, and two days in visiting the
schools of Los Angeles County. He was
profuse in praise of the schools of Los
Angeles and those of the southern part of
the State, saying there was no finer work
being done anywhere.
In Lake County he says the school
buildings are not up to the standard of
those in the southern counties, but did
not criticise their work in any respect.
When asked about
THE WHITTIER REFORM SCHOOL.
Professor Anderson became enthusiastic
and expressed great satisfaction at the
showing II has made since its establish
ment only last July. The institution
was considered by many as an expert
ment, and doubts have been frequently
expressed as to the probability of its
provinga successful departure by those
unfamiliar with its methods and manage
ment.
Professor Anderson said: s'There is
only one thing l can criticise about the
Whittier Reform School, and that is it's
name. think the word Reform should
be stricken out and the institution be
known simply as the Whittier School.
Il was surprised at the efficiency shown
by the pupils of only few months
training, the changes wrought in their
department and the thoroughness with
which they are disciplined without an
parent strlctneSS or severity. The in
mates are seemingly at liberty and free
from restraint. There is no fence sur
rounding the school, and many of the
boys go on errands and are intrusted with
various responsible commissions, and it
is rarely that any of them attempt to es-
cape.
''There are about 10 boys and girls in
the school, and the only thing to be re-
GREETED is that it is not larger.''
During his trip Professor Anderson
visited in all about 100 classes in the
various schools, and was greatly and
favorably impressed with the general
good character of the work coming un-
der his observation. Superintendent
Iindley is evidently the right man in the
right place, as it is owing to his excellent
management that the school is such a
success.
SECRETARY GEORGE E. PRATT
OF the State Board of Examiners. in COM
pany with Assistant Secretary DIR.
Charles Phipps, also visited the Whittier
School recently, and, being interviewed
expressed hearty admiration and praise
of the institution and the results of its
work in the few months since its estab-
iishment.
Secretary Pratt said the school should
no longer be regarded as an experiment,
and that without question it has a great
future. Its location mine or ten miles
from Los Angeies1, at the small town of
Whittier. is all that could be desired
W hitter Is quiet town, and such as to
furnish only the right kind of assocfa-
tions for the school children.
secretary Pratt was particularly well
pleased with the discipline, which APP
pears thorough, without being strict or
taking that form usual in penal institu-
tions. He spoke as being surprised at
the aptitude with which the boys take to
the opportunities offered them for i'm
provement and the confidence placed in
many of them by the authorities.
they do all the work about the place
under the competent supervision of those
in charge, and manifest great interest in
it. The school is provided with electric