Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS AFFAIRS.
The Finances and Management OF
the school Discussed Last Night.

The Board of Directors of the Laurel
Industrial School met in the parlor Of the
Young Mems Christian Association last
night. There were present Messrs. Caskie
(chairman), Christian, Potts, Stiles Add
son, Woodward, Gunst, Valentine, and
Rev. w. b. Williams Mr.. Sampson SUI
perintendent of the reformatory, was also
present. The reports Of the superintend-
ent and secretary for the past month were
read and adopted.
The suggestions Of the superintendent
with regard TO increasing the time of
detention Of boys in the institution was
agreed to. Mr.. SIMPSONS plan contem-
plates a system of badges, 10 be awarded
for good behavior. BY this system a boy
Will work his way through several grades
TO his discharge, and If his conduct is
exemplary the time of his detention will
be reduced from seventeen months TO
fourteen months. Major Stiles moved as q
substitute that the period of detention
should be twenty months, to be reduced
TO seventeen months if the boys conduct
was satisfactory in every particular Inc
substitute was voted down.
4cnother important recommendation con-
tanned in Mr.. SIMPSONS report was that
the services Of one officer should be dis
pensed with. This was also agreed to.
Application for the discharge Of John
d. Sterling was made by his relatives,
but the board refused to grant it as the
boys conduct did not warrant his present
release.
The secretary's report showed that the
expenses Of the institution last month had
exceeded the receipts by the sum or
S63ISI Mr.. Christian urged the expedi-
eucy Of meeting promptly all tradesmen's
bills. Not 10 do so, he said, was TO injure
the credit OF the institution very material
ly. He thought IL better for the board to
be under obligations 10 the bank than 20
storekeepers, and he moved that the
amount due should be added to the note
a present held by the bank. and that the
president should be authorized 70 make
tie proper note. In regard TO the fnan-
cial condition of the institution, he said
II really showed a profit and was only IN
debt by reason Of the erection Of the new
buildings. which had cost in the neighbor-
hood Of 5000.
Mrs. Tinsiey, wife Of the guard who
was recently killed by one Of the boys,
had applied TO several members OF the
board for financial relief, and had asked
that her claim should be brought 10 the
attention Of the meeting. To Major stiles
Mrs Tinsley had stated that she thought
the. board ought 10 allow her each month
an amount equal TO that paid her husband
for services. Mrs. Tinsley's father had
represented that his daughter was abso-
lutely without resources and had asked
that the board should contract with him
for the cutting Of wood at Laurel The
secretary was instructed to inform Mrs.
Tinsley that the board had no authority
or means to grant her pecuniary assist
ance.
Mr.. Caskie spoke OF several propositions
that had been received 10 lease the re-
formatory, many OF which were extremely
favorable and would. he thought, con-
duce to the prosperity Of the institution.
This whole matter however was referred
without discussion to a subcommittee or
five, to be appointed by the president.
The board adjourned.