Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-02
THE VIRGINIA REFOaMATORY.
IL In Commended ns One of this
Country's Best Institutions.


The following from the Florida Citizen,
published in jacksonville. will be read
with interest by the friends of the worthy
institution TO which II refers:
Five years ago last autumn the State
OF Virginia took the first steps toward
the establishment of a reformatory for
youth who commit petty offences. Be-
fore that time the boy who heedlessly
broke the law and was convicted could
be sentenced only to prison, in which
he was thrown into Intimate relations
with the most abandoned criminals.
Public sentiment at last became
aroused to a sense OF the wrong done
by this system, and an association was
organized TO provide a separate institu-
ton for the youthful offenders,
From small beginning the reforma-
tory has already grown into a large and
fourishing establishment. 1t has gained
The complete confidence of the people,
and the Legislature helps to support
IL, paying - cents a day for the board
Of each inmate. and allowing $40 year
for his clothing.
The reformatory is managed by expe-
rienced men, the Superintendent beng
one of those persons who have a special
gift for the training OF youth. Any
Judge or magistrate In the State can
send 10 the school any lad who In his
judgment ought to be transferred 10
such a place, instead Of going TO a
jail or pententiary. All OF the prin-
cipal cities have representatives. ana
so have a large number OF the counties.
The number of inmates during the past
winter has been l95. The boys work four
hours a day In a horse-collar factory, they
20 TO school four hours dly, and they
have four hours day for recreation. Their
evenings are devoted TO their studies. In
the school-room they are not only taught
In textbooks but are instructed In morals
Everything possible is done to weaken the
force OF bad associations in the past, and
to give the boy a new start.
The authorities have charge or any
youth committed TO the institution unul
he reaches the age Of Il; but they may
discharge him at any time when they
think that he has shown himself worthy
TO be trusted. The reformatory mas
cared for nearly 2O boys, Of whom
about one third have been put out In
positions, some Professionally, and others
permanently. Release Is earned by
good conduct \ system OF marks Is
maintained, and badges are awarded
TO those who stand highest. alike In
studies. labor and behavior. A boy
who secures such a badge each month
for fourteen months is entitled to be dis
charged
The institution is located near Laurel.
a station on the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg, and Potomac railroad, about eight
miles from Richmond. II occupies a
large. three-story building, the two upper
floors Of which are used as lodging apart
ments. The school, however, has al
ready outgrown its quarters, and stands
I'm urgent need Of another building as IL
lacks sufficient sleeping accommodations.
The members OF the Legislature paid the
reformatory visit not long ago, and
were surprised to find how large and sue
cessful an establishment IL had become.
The management OF the institution IL
I'm the hands OF board OF directors
that includes n number OF leading citi-
zens, the president being a prominent
attorney Of Richmond This system is
the same as that which prevails in Eng
land. where over 900 reformatories have
been established, not one of which Is
governed by the civil authorities. 1t
has worked very successfully on the
other side OF the ocean, and the eXpe-
rience OF the Old Dominion shows that
II can produce good results In this
country. The Virginia reformatory
Swes a great debt 10 the zeal and de-
votion of the first president OF the asso-
citation, who gave time, mind. and
money TO the cause.
So fer as we are aware, the Virginia
system IL novel In this country. Other
States that have reformatories support
them By tho taxation OF the people. and
they are governed by public officials.
The latter plan has advantages. since 1t
assures the permanent maintenance OF
the institution. But II has defects. also,
I'm the fact that politics may enter
into it's government
The best feature OF the voluntary sys-
tenn ia that II often assures an enthusi-
asm and zeal that are not found In n
state institution. One man, like the
founder Of the Virginia reformatory. will
sometimes do a work that could not be
expected from man who had been ap-
pointed as an office-holder