The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-13
]. B. BOONE.
brownsville, y. c., Dec. II.
REV. e. /. osBoRNEs VIEWS.

REV. e. 4. OSBORNE'S VIEWS
TO the Editor: | have been deeply inn
pressed with the very urgent need of re-
formatory schools in North Carolina
not only for the well being Of juvenile
miscreants. but for the sake of many
well-disposed children, and OF the State
at large. We occasionally have such IN
this institution, and the other children
suffer from their contact, while we are
not able to help them as they need to be
helped. In my opinion there should be
j number OF small establishments, sub
divided into families Of say five or SIX
children. located in different parts OF tie
State. say Raleigh. Wilmington, Colds
boro. Greensboro Salisbury. Charlotte,
and AshevilIe. Tine moral tf'e' would be
Forth moro 10 tbs statr ltaa can he
as.&iDed
esysr small establishments because :.
f>.ah children can he managed and
;e.cs;l to better advantage tha''
s together. They need that indivd-
nal influence and constant presence OF
well-trained Christian teachers, Again.
small establishments are in the long run
more economical. requiring smaller
buildings. smaller salaries for employees,
and, being conveniently located IN differ
ent parts of the State less expense OF
travel. There should not be more than
i've or six III a family, and the cottages
should he so far removed from each other
as 10 prevent frequent or clandestine or IN
tercourse. These are only few hasty
suggestions that might be more elaborate
Very respectfully,
EDWIN A. OSBORNE,
Supt Of the Thompson Orphanage and
Training institution.
MIR. \. B. BROUHTON'S VIEWS.
am very glad indeed of the interest
awakened in behalf Of a reformatory
school for young criminals. Capt. G. b.
benson, secretary OF the State Board Of
Public Charities, has urged the matter
with such earnestness and eloquence as
to cause US all to feel the great need of the
reformatory. In this good work he has
been ably assisted by philanthropists,
teachers, editors and others to such a de-
gree that it now seems quite hopeful that
the coming Legislature will not fail to
establish it.
In my humble judgment the reforma-
tory should be located in the Piedmont
or Southern section Of the State, and in
the country. 1t should be near enough
to some railroad point for all necessary
purposes.
One of the hindranees to the establish
ment OF the reformatory that confronted
many Of the members OF the last General
u Itch
ing two instead OF one, in order to ac-
commodate both white and colored. And
this difficulty is before us now. OF
course there will be no thought of plac-
| ing both races in the same school. This
being true, we must consider the estab
| lishment of two schools.
| I am quite sure there are buildings In
| this State in proper localities, that were
erected for other purposes but which are
| not now in use, that could be purchased
| at very low figures. Some of them thai
/ have in mind are comparatively new
| and with few changes could be wei
| adapted to the work.
| The school idea should be kept wei
| in front for it is a lamentable fact tina
1 the young criminals are, for most part
| Of the ignorant class. But, Of course
| they are to be in comparatively Close
| confinement and be kept busy at work.
Certain trades should be taught them
and in this matter great discretion
should be used in order that the trad
acquired be such as will be of servic
TO. them when they have served out thei
sentence. There are trades now tina
are being rapidly displaced by machiner
and to give a boy one Of this class woul
simply mean to prepare him to take hi
place in the ranks of the great army o
| unemployed men in our country to-day
The reformatory should have sufiicien
| quantity of land surrounding to give en-
| ployment to all who may be committe
| TO ii. and the proper management of thi