The Republican journal., 1897-06-10
Joseph r. harrington.

SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE REFORM sCHo OIL.
In the death of Ir Harrington Maine
has lost valuable citizen, His younger
days Of toll and as school teacher fitted
him for his after life. OF sound moral and
Christian nature, with heart overtlowing
with good impulses and kindness, he won
the hearts of the young. His studious life and
exactness in details fitted him as farm sup
erintendent Of the State College farm when
the institution was in its early years and
strict economy was necessary; and yet with
his small available resources he soon made
manifest his ability, and among other prac-
tical and scientific tests determined the rel
ative value of cooked or uncooked food for
swine, and TO him belongs the honor of what
now is accepted as an established fact.
April II, 1880, he became superintendent
OF the Reform School. This institution was
established in 1858, and nine superintend-
ents have preceded him. W. r. Lincoln, the
first, held Onice years; Seth Scammon, I /;
no others 50 long. Mr.. Harrington believed
there was an opportunity to improve the
boys sent to the school, and early began to
rule by love and kindness Cells We're abolish
ed and iormitories arranged, and soon 100 or
more boys in one room confirmed Mr.. Far
rlngton's theory. Gradually but steadily he
continued this line Of administration. The
work shop and farm We're improved. In
1879 the income from the farm was 81, ,9S5 II ::
in 1896, S. ,073 81, an increase Of S3,0SS IS.
Under his direction the farm was brought
into a high state of cultivation, and The boys
have aided IN the work and many became
good farmers and are now respected citizens
In line with his ideas the institution be-
came more of an industrial school, and the
cottage system was inaug gilrated by building
and dedicating the Harrington Cottage" in
1898 1t was occupied May 29th by 80 boys,
with master, matron I'D teacher. Here
locks and fences do not exist The boys,
however, keep within their lines and are
proud to be so trusted. Another new cot
tage will be completed the present year.
when 80 more boys Will occupy it. Mr. Far
rington had looked forward to its opening
with much pleasure and given care to its
preparation.
The dingy, dark dining room in tile main
building, with an officer IN charge, has
given way to cheerful dining hall, neatly
furnished, and in place of an officer the
This has brought about vast Improvement
in table manners, which the boys are quick
to learn.
Mr.. Harrington had the love and respect of
the boys as well as OF the officers. He ruled
by kindness, Vet tirmness. He readily gave
hearing to the boys troubles, and kindly and
etfectually made the boys his friends.
Systematic in his accounts, careful and
expert buyer, the State got value io4 ali
funds intrusted to him. Few are aware of the
hours per day and the varied cares and
duties devolving upon him. From a. NJ. TO
8 F. N. and often later you would find him
at his work. Sundays included-now listen
ing to a boys troubles now to the trustees
now to teachers; now TO the farm and other
employees. Then to market to buy and sell :;
a sick boy to look after; and many other re-
quirements that We're constantly coming up.
He was fortunate in having as an assistant
Mr.. Wentworth, who has been connected
with the school for many years and W ho is a
fine dlscpllnarian aud an authority upon
law and all questions pertaining to reform
itory institutions.
Mr.. Farrington's only daughter died in
1884, followed by the sudden death of
brother and in few months by the sudden
death of his wife, a most worthy woman.
His faith in the future life upheld him in his
affliction, yet these, added to his arduous
duties. impaired his health. Full of hope,
his crops we'll advanced, the new cottage
soon to be occupied, he lay down to sleep
his last sleep. The morrow came, but Mr..
harrington did not appear. He had finished
his life work and joined the friends who had
gone before.
"If man die can he live again ?" The life
work of Mr.. Harrington can never die. The
kindness, the good earnest teaching to the
boys under his care, will ever live; and 80
long as brick is left, or boy who was an
inmate of Harrington cottage lives, Mr.. Far
rington will live in memory.