The Advance., 1893-12-21
INDIANA REFORM SCHOOL.

INDIANA REFORM SCHOOL.
THE annual report of the Superintendent of
the Indiana State Reform School, at Plain
field, appears in the Reformdtory, the School
journal While it resembles in many respects
the reports from other reform schools it con-
tains many items Of interest to reform school
workers especially. We make the following
brief summary of its leading points, and hope
soon to receive the full report of the School
when it appears in pamphlet form:
superintendent T. j. CHARLTON informs US that at the
close of year. October 81 there 42 boysn the
school, and number for the year had been
451 The of the boys had been excellent there hav
been but little sickness among them. Only two deaths
from injury resulting from being struck
on the head by se-ball, and from meningitis The
Superintendent claims that the boys fed better than in
any school in the land. "Three dishes of
cooked prepared for each meal These do not
include bread and such vegetables and fruits pickles as
without cooking During the 14 boys
addition there returned to the School
Supentendents order SO boys making the grand total
received During the three preceding the
admitted 62. 1856 boys releasedfve be-
of their becoming 81 of The others
released on trial. ticket of leave" 'No boy is
peease him from the Watehcare the School And yet it
is instance where boy remains here until he is Of
leave These tickets at first but for month fthe
Of doing we his ticket is renewed for one two three
and is subject to still further renewals prooof
until he becomes of boy who
IS ticket of leave does do well he is recalled to
the School, If his conduct has been bad while out of the
School, he is put on e. ne is chastlsed ana
then for time deprived of the privileges allowed other
sSve R the h hoS very effect upon the boys who
NAV be sent to the School for crime between the
eight sixteen years. but for ncorgihlity they
be ten and under seventeen years. The
believes that to send boys to the School when
they under years of and he has impressed this
fact the judges of the court that during the past year
The Indiana law allows the Governor to commute the SEN
School until they are tweny-one years Of age. Quite
9gmbr of such boys have been received in the the Reform
good when the Governor makes careful investga-
majority the boys have parents living but only 65 of
the boys the School have both parents living The
marriage failure, he is convinced that the introduce
treme While there may be exceptions the rule will still
hold true He advocates compulsory attendance at school
graduates from the street life of towns and CITES and
were newsboys and boobacks both of which occupations
should be abolished carried on in the streets The School
received $500 since Mr. CHARLTON became superintendent
these boys and convinced that the number who do well
for the first year after their release at least 80 per cent
for two 8 cent and for life from rs to so per cent
He thinks it is hopeful work that the State is doing for
AS previous years. the schools have been conducted
the halliday system Except in the busy season, when
half CT each day and work the half the lower
primary grades there is no vacation allowed That class of
to give each boy while he is here good elementary edu
but write good letter The principal instruction is
given to reading spelling, arithmetic and peumanship.
general exercises United States History taught in the
evenings in each family and reced the Superintendent
books in United States History. Each boy has his
book and the entire School completes the study United
States History each To me this has been most
year have taught history here in this way 1
great good mas been Done by this course in preparing the
history country yet we give special
Of
admission of State into the Union, December 1876
Sabbathchoo lessons the Daily Readings each morning
of portion of Scripture which bears the Sabbahschooi
In the evening before retiring each family sings sacred
song and joins in short On Sunday the morning
Rev. F. H. Gavsk, Pastor of ST. Johns Church. In
danapo still makes his regular visits the Catholic boys
has resulted from his instructions The visits of the worthy
priest without to the School and do good
ons Religion essential in all reformation and especial
y docs strengthen and nurture the good purposes of the
Each boy provided with Jeans clothing
each consists of pants vest and coat for Sunday
and the other is during the week. The shifting
is what is known in the mercantile Hamilton
STRIPE In Winter undershrts are provided where needed
doors are provided with overcoas Our ailorsbop still
under the efficient management of Miss Ruschzka
All the clothing worn by the boys is made here.
On the subject of discipline, Mr.. CHARLTON says
ALL is the discipline so the School Without discipline
all retormatory efforts would be in vain. say that
who this particular yet as rule the discipline
has been excellent In securing discipline resort first
all to systems of punshments by means of the
department standing Good conduct advances bad
duct reards boys through the various grades
home with honor The following are the various depot.
ment standings or badges we give boys the day they
Murder. &C. IL Aiding prisoner to es-
Manslaughter.....". "a cape..e.........".... 1s.
Assault and battery IA Em6ezsleme ent 49, 1S