Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-25
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
THE IMPRESSIONS OF FOUR SOCIE-
TY PRESIDENTS.
Most Favorable Impressions-What al
Was Seen and Said.

The following communication ex-
plains itself:
EDITORS HERALD: Permit me to ask,
in behalf of the Ladies' Benevolent soci-
ETY., small space in your valuable pa
per to give glimpse OF the institution
as we saw it, and through you to ask the
generous public to give this, our local
charge, little serious thought.
By invitation of DR.. and Mrs. Lindley,
the presidents of four benevolent socie-
ties of this city and twelve other repre-
sentative women spent the day in criti-
cal examination of this institution.
After delightful ride of about two
hours we arrived at the school and were
duly welcomed by the doctor and his
estimable wife.
Our first impressions on entering the
building were favorable. The broad
steps and veranda command fine view
of the mountains and the village Of
Whittier. The large hall and spacious
parlors on the left are neatly finished in
native wood and suitably, but not ex-
travagantly. furnished.
After laying aside our wraps, we were
shown the school room, which is we'll
supplied with desks, blackboards and
o'h0i noSooooiy oPPoi"Vuo. Ills .ooM'
as well as other portions of the building,
is heated by steam. On this fret floor
is also the chapel, seating about 500,
neatly furnished with stage and CALLER
les.
The basement is we'll lighted and has
cement floor. Here are the lavatories
and plunge and shower baths, supplied
with hot and cold water; also, the lock-
ers where the boys leave their ordinary
clothing and towels. tss
The commissary department is pre-
sided over by clerks like country store
Orders for supplies are received here,
signed by the superintendent, and
charged to the department using them.
Here is also large hall used as a play
room for the boys in stormy weather.
The kitchen and boys dining room are
also in the basement.
We were shown the directors depart
ment, where the furniture, though sub
stantial and elegant, was in perfect
keeping with the dignity of the rest of
the institution. The parlors and COM
mittee rooms, furnished with folding
beds, can. upon visit of the governor
or state officials, or others who have a
right to the hospitality of the institu-
ton, be used as bedrooms. In fact, we
saw no other guest chambers.
The boys dormitories are in the upper
part of the building, and are large, we'll
ventilated, cheerful rooms, with a SEP
arate cot for each pupil. Each cot has
woven wire bottom, mattress, blankets,
white cover and pillow.
We were next invited to see the boys
come in to dinner, and, while we were
descending the stairs to the basement,
visions of tin plates, bare tables and
long benches fitted through the minds
of most of US. Our first glance was one of
astonishment. A sufficient number of
tables were laid to seat the whole school
at one time, and covered with clean
white cloths. At each place was chair,
plate, glass, knife, fork, spoon and a
neatly folded napkin.
The boys filed in in companies, and,
at a given signal, were seated together,
and, after moments silence, blessing
was asked by one OF the teachers. Each
table would seat good sized family, and
one of the larger boys presided over
each with great dignity. Neat walters,
in white jackets and aprons, passed
soup, milk and other things, in good
family style. Order, system and clean
linvss pervaded throughout.
After some further investigations DR..
and Mrs. Lindley invited our party of
sixteen hungry philanthropists to their
family dining room, where they presided
over an elegant lunch, perfectly served
by four well-trained little boys, who
looked as sweet and kissable as the son
OF any mother among us.
After lunch we visited the music room
and spacious library, the latter at pres
4, ,nI =
ent upon the gifts OF friends. We ap-
boys and girls who need your utmost
to think of these others who are in so
much greater need. Send them suita-
BILE games, illustrated books of travel,
biography, history, natural history,
standard works of poetry and fiction
and any of the standard illustrated
magazines and illustrated weekly pa
pers. and periodicals treating on
machinery and the trades.
The industrial school for boys is not
far from1 the administration building
and contains the machinery to generate
power used in heating, lighting by elec-
tricity, and for other purposes; also the
different rooms where cabinet, carriage
and other painting is taught, and the
tailoring, shoemaking and other indus
tries.
The grounds are being much improved,
and are entirely without Enclosures of
any kind, which certainly speaks we'll
for the management that is able to keep
the pupils there with go few employees.
About $50 boys gave battalion drill,
which was executed with military pre-
cision. and apparently much enjoyed.