The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-06
CHEHALIs REFORM SCHOOL.
Report Submitted by the Legislative
Visiting Committee

OLYMPIA, March 5.-Specisi.-The sen
ate committee appointed 20 visit the re-
form school AZ Cheh ais. has submitted
the following report:
The committee arrived at the schoo,
on the evening OF February =. and
NAMED until the afternoon OF the 18th
The short stay did not give an opportu-
nifty 10 examine into an the details % the
work, buI enough was seen 10 satisfy
your committee that the institution was
In excellent hands and accomplishing the
humane object for which IL vas founded.
At this time there are Il0 boys and -
girls IN the school. The excellent train
ing which these children are receiving,
their cleanliness and good health speak
Wei for the management In the opinion
OF your committee the superintendent,
Dir Thomas p. Westendorf, deserves un-
qualified praise for his tact and good
judgment, which is plactng this inStltu-
ton in the front rank of successful re-
formatories- To the casual visitor there
Is very uttie 10 indicate that the boys
and girls are more than ordinary pupils
u an ordinary academy; discipline is
there. but X "a enforced so carefully that
the children are unconscl0us3y Influenced
for their good. They are not led 20 be-
leve that IL ls creditable for them to be
inmates but their spirit Is not crushed
by constant reminders Of former mis- axes.
LauGaDle ambitions are stimulated, indus
try Is compulsory, self-reiiAnce. pOliLeness
and trpyhfuluess are taught b precept
and example.
The superintendent and his estimable
wife. the atron. have long experience
IL this peculiar Work. Their teachers and
assistants have been selected because OF
their special fitness for the various de-
partmenrs Coed management Is appa-
rent on al sides. The wsh-1lTected labor
OF the boys has made a firs farm out OF
tangled wilderness We are convinced
that the last appropriation was handled
wisely ana economically; tie large sur
p.ns lsome s-3.esp which VIII revert 20
the treasury Is proof Of this. The good
work dane by az institution OF this char
acter cannot be measured BY dollars ard
cents. Children whose environments are
such that only the 0aser 0assfoas are en-
ceurageG cannot DC expected to make
good citizens Society protects itself ~
gathering such unfortGnaies into institu-
gtoEs where the better side OF their IA
ture - encouraged. IL IS a paying invest
ment for society 10 DO this. either from
financial or moral standpoint.
We therefore unhesifati1gly say that
the money Appropriated for this purpose
T1ii greatly benefit the state. No iFnpor-
tant changes other than those thai can
Il made by utilizing the labor ct the
boys ana girls saouia ba undertaken 81
Kris time. Nothing IN the ME OF better
TnentE Is needed now. The appropriation
asksd FOR 81 the report Of the board Of
trustees - We De53efe Afap4e X me ihsl-
tat49n RlIl be conducted on the lines laid
6cwa by tks present mans cement In this
connection We respectfully suggest that as
Ia Sc the state reform school Is concern
ed. there csn - nothing gained by
cGanse IL the personnel q the OFFICIALS.
We oalege that political beliefs should
not DE considered IN q matter OF this
kCd and We hope thai bis exeeslency. the
governor q this state VII consider the
facts set forth n This report when the
matter OF changing tbs present govern
uent - saEE ~sted-
For details concerning the institution
we refer the members o. EoaE honorable
oosy 10 ths report issued By the trustees
ans superintendent. Whkca We md 20 b.
correct in ail the particulars which could
&c ascerSsine1 rs the Grief personal in
spss-zloE the Omitted tiu1s 81 tie disposal
o. your COMMITTEES permitted EssDect1al-
- submitted
JOSEPH HILL, Chairman
THOMAS J MILLER
Having visited this Institution several
tjn1es under she present maaAs sfnent,
heartily c01c2r "a tie above report
-. ~ FaISE"