The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-31
READY ABOUT MARCH |.
The State Reform School Will Be
in Operation BY That
Time.
GOV Richards Thinks IL Is a
Great Investment for tho
State.
Tho Helena Banhs and the FIRST National
OF Miles City Advanced Money for


by the hrst day Of March the state re-
form school 81 Miles City will DO ready for
occupancy. TIE legislature Appropriated
$50 900 70 build the Institution. The
buildina has been complsted for that
sum and there Is $1,000 left to furnish IL.
This amount Is considered sufficient for ths
purpose. The contractor for the steam
heating plant has agreed to wait until the
legislature meets in 1895 TO get a deficiency
on his bill. amounting 10 81, 200. There il
still some material on hand for the build
ing OF stable, which il needed. Tbs con-
tractor has agreed to pot up the stable and
wait for bis bill, some $780, until the legis-
lAiu'e nppropfiAtes money 90 pay him, Tbs
heating plant has been tested ard works
admirably. The director OF the school has
been chosen, and everything will be In
readiness for tue opening on or about
March /.
The only thing that stood In the way OF
putting this much needed Institution into
ore alton was tho money with which Go pay
operating expenses Gov. Richards oalou-
lated that IL would take 81. 900 TO run the
'eform school for the lTs, year. The state
did not have the money availabls for that
purpose, he governor readily solved this
dilemma. lie called upon the banks Of
Helena and the frat. National Of Miles
City. All Of them readily consented 10 Pot
mp their p,oI of the money needed,
which will be about g., 200 apiece. The
governor and the state board OF examiners
promised to see that a recommendation
was made 70 the next Legislature 10 REIN
6urse the banks for their outlay.
Il feel great Interest In this instiiu-
ton" said Gov. Richards yesterday, mot
only because il was the result OF my rec
ommendation 10 the legislature. but because
u so muoh needed. On the occasion Of
my nfst visit 10 the penitentiaTy at Deer
Lodge saw something that convinced me
OF the necessity of having a reform school,
there are aocomm odations In the main
buildings Of Deer Lodge for About 250 men.
There were about 800 ihero when / nfst Wis
ted the place. In n long log building Their
were about 100 men whose time was nearly
out' or who we're wing short terms.
be were no cells, only rows OF bunks
and tho prisoners were all mixed up. In
with them Ia this log building we're four
boys. think the state is committing a
itne to"ard society IN keeping boys of
from 10 20 is, o. even younger. Ia tl0 CON-
pAny OF hardened criminals, some Of whom
are serving their second or third terms
OF the criminal aud that boys with vicious
instincts can BY careful training. have
them eradicated. no state owes a DUTY 20
society TO look aftsr these boys. In all
la re communities, like Helena and Butte,
there many boys who have no parents
20 look after them. aud some who would BE-
just Ne we'll of II they had none. Those
who have Investigated this mAttsf and are
IN position 90 know saT that money pat
into such school is the best Investment
the state could make.
The board Of directors Of The reform
sohoo! are proud OF their fine building. 10
has cost them less than they thought IL
would, 10 u not an elaborate affair, bus
u Is substantial and comfortable one.
lhe heating apparatus 10 perfect" Gov.
Rioknrds confidently expects Zoe results
from the reform school. lie objects are the
kte INK and teformato training OF ali
ouths between eight and p years Of age,
who may DO legally committed to ID. Thsro
a q two departments in tho school. The
director has charge Of the boys end the 40
pervision OF the whole institution. The
matron 10 20 manage tue female dai art
ment. All tho branches taught IN tue pub
lie schools OF the state are to be taught in
the reform school. In addition the inmates
are TO 10 tauQht and trained IN morality,
Temperance and frugality. and instructed
in the different trades and callings OF the
Two sexes NJ FER az possible In the scope OF
tho school.
Each boy or girl sent to the school il 10
!. main there until n years old. unless spe-
cially pafolod o. legally discharged be!o.e.