The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-09

demand. 1t is the duty of the state to re-
imburse these gentlemen, and later in the
session i will submit IA detailed statement
OF the liabilities incurred in this dlrec-
ton.
To make this school as effective for pur-
poses OF reform as Its projectors contem-
plated, several changes in the present law
are deemed advisable. / am convinced
that the provision in Sec. % of the pres
ent law, which makes incorrlglbility
ground for admission into that institu-
ton, is liable to be greatly abused. and |
believe that the reform school should not
be used as an asylum for those not guilty
OF actual ofienses against the law. The
term "Incorrigible" is too flexible to war
rant a commitment except whore IL in
wolves commission of crime. Ii is n seri-
GUS thing to practically imprson a child
for term of years for petty oifenses or a
breach of propriety. The rights of the
child must not be overlooked or abridged.
recommend that the age of admission be
at from to 10 years. Section n
should be so amended as TO bar
from this institution not only persons of
unsound intellect, but also those afflicted
with cutaneous or other contagious dis
eases, or who are subject to epileptic or
other fits, or who are not possessed of
that degree of bodily health as to render
them fit subjects for discipline. 1t would
be a wise provision for the court commit
ting an offender to cause him TO be ex-
amined by reputable physician, whose
certificate would be forward ed, with the
commitment, to the institution.
1t should be made lawful for the gov
ernor to commute sentence and commit
the offender to the state reform school
whenever any boy under the age of "a
years is sentenced by a court of competent
jurisdiction to Imprisonment. either in
county jail or states prison. However,
this authority on the part of the governor
should invest him with the power to re-
woke such a Communication, and to remand
the prisoner to states prison or jail upon
the proper showing that the desired re-
form IN his character and conduct is not
attainable in the reform school. The en-
periences of older institutions of this
character warrant the earnest consdera-
ton of our law-makers, that this school
may serve the purpose of its creation, and
meet, to the fullest extent. the require
ments of the state. That II will materially
aid in lesseninP the expenses of the state
and contribute to.the higher interests of
humanity is already assured. An institu-
ton SO directly concerned with the vel
fare of the state and the benefits of
society should be zealously guarded
amply protected and sedulously advanced
in all that pertains to its efficiency. can
not too earnestly recommend the most
liberal treatment of this institution.
Ii Is appalling to contemplate that sta
tistics gathered by charitable and humane
associations confirm the statement that I
our army of criminals "outnumbers the I
armies OF the late civil war; Inefficient /
applied to youthful offenders are /
argely responsible for this. The tr,- /
nendous tax upon the finances of the sev- |
sral states of the union, in the matter of /
procedure, is startling. No ques-
ion can call for more serious dcliberaticn t
IN the part of Lawmakers than how to DR.
'ent the youthful offenders from matur-
ne into hardened criminals. With tins 4
purpose i'm view several of the states of the 4
lnion. notably Iowa and Nebraska. have /
'assed laws that tl) provide for the APP
continent IN each county OF n county
gent or superintendent in charge of a
general intelligence office, for the pur.
,ose of procuring homes and employment
or all dependent on them; % To enforce
avs against all forms of vice affecting
he youth OF the land; 60 TO prevent trt.-
Incy, tramping and petty thieving among
minors; a. to imprison youth apart from
Id and hardened criminals; 90 requiring
very city, town and village to detain aud
eturn to their homes all truant and
youths.
\ number of these purposes, not
lready attained under our present law.
night be served by necessary amend
lents thereto, should you deem such
tops adv sable after due investigation as
D results OF legislation OF this character
a other states.
CONCLUSION.
have great confidence in your integrity
purpose TO faithfully discharge the i'm
ortaut duties for which you have been
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