The San Francisco call., 1895-12-20
FOR A REfORMATORY SHIP,
Humane Society to Send Bad
Boys to Sea Instead of
to Prison.
A Plan for Making Sailors, Tailors
and ShOemakerS at the
Same Time.

At a recent meeting of the directors OF
the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
to Children it was generally conceded that
the several State reform schools and State
penal institutions failed to accomplish
much in reforming lads who had taken
their first steps on the downward course.
On the contrary, 1t was held these lnstitu-
tions ruined many lad who had COM
mitted some error in moment of thought
lessness or ignorance of the consequence.
Director G.. Palache came forward with a
suggestion which he earnestly advocated,
namely, the training-ship. He said that
since the training-ship Jamestown went out
of commission all the youths who were
inclined to be wild had been sent to reform
schools to learn trades, and while many
were benefited there remained many who
failed to reform. He desired to see an
other training-ship put into service on this
coast, and said if the Government would
donate the use of fairly good sea-going
vessel the State or even the City would
probably be induced to provide for Its sup
port. The Nation would soon be benefited
by having able American seamen to ham
die its ships, and the entire country would
be benefited by having less of the criminal
element to contend with and support.
In order to present the case properly
committee consisting of G. Palache, B. P.
Flint and Charles Sonntag was appointed.
These gentlemen have made a long report.
After reviewing the situation, what has
been done in the mater of reforming way
ward boys and the obstacles in the way of
saving many, the report says:
1t is to the larger boys our particular atten-
ton is called and we invoke your earnest con-
sideration TO the peculiar situation as we find
ii. Your committee views with alarm the
steady increase of vasrancy and crime among
these and the inadequacy OF the measures
adopted to abate it, While there may be those
among them to whom penal institutions have
no terror there are many whose hearts might
be touched by an incentive TO reform, which
these penal institutions do not afford. but too
often confirm in them the vices for which they
have been committed.
Your committee has had many plans under
consideration, but none has seemed prac-
tical as the establishment OF State training
ship, and certainly there has never been time
in our Nations history when the requirements
were more urgent for competent seamen of
American nativity.
Your committee believes the time most op-
perfume for the humanitarian work suggested.
The State owes it to society that cur boys shall
be saved from criminal life if in its power TO
prevent it. Let it not neglect its duty.
The modus operandi is simple and the at
tendant expenses but tri1e in view of the
grand object to be attained. Your committee
suggests that u vessel thus engaged be styled
'the reformatory ship in which should be
taught all that appertains to the sea, from
learning the ropes TO the navigation of
sci; the ship to be officered by naval men we'll
up in the profession and the inmates TO be un-
der strict naval discipline.
Your committee recommends in addition to
a nayai education that portion of the recruits
be taught tailoring and shoemaking, in oroer
first, that the necessary shoes and clothing for
the ships inmates may be made thereon;
second, that in case of voluntary discharge al
the expiration OF his term the individual may
have trade as means OF support, should MS
unfitness or distaste to sea life become posi-
tive hindrance to his advancement III the
navy.
Your committee believes that the properly
directed efforts of our Senators and Representa-
tives will obtain the necessary vessel for the
States use, and that there will be no difficulty
experienced at our next Legislature in obtain
ing an appropriation for its maintenance. Your
committee recommends that suitable bill be
formulated by our able president and intro
duced at the next session OF our legislature
and that every member OF our society be
earnestly requested to lend his influence TO its
early passage.