Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-23

Superintendent asa Mrs. Harrington show
b. results their valuable service.
The health Of the boys in this Institution
| is remarkable, in fact, ii has not been rec
essary 70 cali physician outside of TIVE
spec i4l csses the pas; year. The attending
physician, DIR. King, has successfully per-
formed his duties, and his Kindness and in
tere.t in th- boys has had its good easet,
| al Of whom are much attached 10 hin
! This not only applies in his case, but the
boys appreciate very highly those who ex-
1 tend TO them kidd words, and no doubt i.
| largely the result of successful mauage-
meat received at the hands OF Off sisls.
/ Deputy superintendent, Mr.. Wentworth,
Is valuable ofiieial,
| During the past year the cottage has been
completed; was osgupied on the 23ta of
| MAY, was dedicated on the tn of June, and
/ has since by the board Of trust es, 10 ae-
cord with general approval, been de signate
" Harrington Cottage in honor of the super
| iutsndent. The trustees are to be cUagrst-
ulated in the employ ment of Mr.. and Mrs.
| II. I. Skiilings as MISTER and matron. Their
long service in other reformatory institutions
| in dif ferenr states prepared them TO intelli
gently administer their duties.
Miss Moreland, u teacher from the old
school, resides at the cottage. Her iu.elN-
gence and devotion to the boys improve
ment in their studies has produced d ercdi-
table result. The success of the oUttsge
system has for the first time been on trial
The results are PROFESSIONALLY beneficial.
The change in the department, pride, ambi-
ton and desire of the boys were svi Lent
even ia the fret few weeks, and your com
mi.tee are pleased TO note that the improve
ment has been continuous from the first.
Mrs. Skillings has taken much pains to
teach the boys to do the homework, so that
the cooking, care of dormitory, dining room
and kitchen. and all the fousework i, viz
tuaily row done by the boys, who are de-
| tailed for the purpose which ia mark OF
honor. II is remarkable how efficient and
how interested they seem to be to improve
in that line, and it i'll be of muca val9e -
them when they 90 out
Your committee beg TO refer you to the
report of Mr.. II. /. Skillings, master, and
Mrs. Alice C. Skllings, matron, herewith
submitted.
Mrs. Annie NJ l.. Uawes, our associate,
continues to take much interest in the
school. Her frequent visits and the time
spent in the schoolr)om have been Of much
value; minHling as she does with the hogs,
she has their confidence, AMI they always
receive from her kind words and encour-
agement. Her report is herewith submitted,
also report of the master of the c0ttfge.
giving daily programme Of the duties of the
boYs.
Your committee have given the in-
-titatiop ffcqneDt visits, and carefully
watched the progress and management
Of the institution. The economical,
quiet manner, and devotion to the success
of the boys, AMI the management of the ia
s'itution are entitled to much c-edit. Th7
trustees give the institution their best eff
forts and much time, and are 10 be congrat-
ulated upon the completion of the c0t,5r.
and its success the result of their efforts.
IL should b. borne in mind that in order 10
complete the cottage for occupancy, the
management have necessarily had to econ
,mize. The cottage burned at a large loss,
leaving the trustees i'll a serious condition
The occasion of fire not long since IN the
/ arm buildings shows that such accils nts
are liable to reoerRr, and il is the opriAn
IF our e mmittee that il would be q sound
business principle t. place Insurance upon
he bull ,ings. Should fire occur when
he Legislature j. not iD session, there
would b TO funds to provide for rebuild
i~g and no H. ace suitable - take csr' OF
the inmates. We concur with the recon-
ii"udsuon of oar predecessors that the
farm and .tner buildings src in need of fe-
i4ir snd improvement. This can only be
tone by the trustees 20 far a. appropria-
tl0ns are provided therefor. We ARE glad
to note that tue industrial education Of the
Bows is 10 be- extended, thus providing them
opp, -r4uaios Tor n successful future.
White the boys are s. nttncel to this in
sttiu;son turing majority, yet ID, If seAten,s
IS practically unlimited, and while they are
placed in confinement yet they are treated
IS man and brother, and rather ds n HIS
pital for the remedial treatment of depraved
bodies. and by their forts are trusted and
Taught that their good behavior will war
rant further confidence. 50 that the sentence
IS Indefinite, with probationary release on
parole good behavior making
release final as soon a. i is practically set
tied that they are cured. This erl entiy is
producing good results, and what was OncH
virtually prison is now an industrial school
where boys who have not crystallized Their
lmperfeotions are open to treatment that
will bring them into better ways of life.
Day by day they are encouraged, and
sep by step are made to see the right. The
results are quite surprising. While we oc-1
casionally hear of one who is out On parole
being returned, yet the many DO not come
back 1t often occurs that those who do
return, 60 back to their former environ
meuta, while if they had better surroundings
would not fall into their former ways.
The work they are required to do in the
chair shop is easily performed by the well
disposed. What they do beyond that amount
they receive compensation for, thus en-
coursgiug them not only TO earn but to save
their earnings.
The food furnished is ample their dor
mitory, and in fact all parts of The institu |
ton are cleaniy kept, and this the boys TO
large degree DO themselves under the direc- ,
ton of attendants.
The committee have ever found the trus
tees AID all ofiiciils at all times reYly and !
anxious to interest them and TO receive sug
gestions. The boys have been pleased to
meet the committee and are always endeay I.
oring to show that they have improved from
the former visit,
Many of the boys are developing good (
traits of character aud fitting themselves to
20 to some home where they would con-
tinue to receive encouragement and assist /
ance.
( Signed FRED ATWOOD, /
EDWIN q. CLARK, Committee. J
WIno prTrrNcfIr