New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-02

A meeting in the interests of the Berkshire In
dustrial Farm, Canaan, y. Y, Is TO be held In
the University Place Presbyterian Church, at Uni
versity Place and feminist. on Sunday evening.
Addresses will be made by DR.. Alexander, pastor
Of the church; Charlton T Lewis. president of the
Prison Association; the Rev. Franklin B. Dwight
and others.
The farm Of about eight hundred acres, was for
merly the home Of the Canaan Shakers, ana be-
came an institution. known as the Burnham Indus
trial Farm in 1886 the property having been bought
by Frederick G. Burnham, Of MorristoWn, n. ).
It lies beside the beautiful little Lake Queechy ana
under the shadow of Perry's Peak. The aim or the
founders of the farm is to reach class or boys
from seven to sixteen years of age who have de-
veoped marked criminal tendencies. but nave not
Joined the ranks of professional criminals boy
who has been convicted of felony and VINO mas
formed among criminals is not considereo ne-
yond the influence of institution like BerkShFe
Farm.
The system adopted has been largely borrowed
from the French school at Mettray and the faune
Haus near Hamburg, in Germany. Inc salient
points of the system work, drills ana recreato
that will insure a sound body, techTncal 4iStiu
ton In some simple trade, and, most important Oh
all, the fostering Of the moral and religious Nature
by careful and judicious treatment. Inc uaiIS
routine of study, work and recreation pes'hs' eA-
cept in winter. at a. Almost the ony rehilnuvi
of the reformatory is the frequency OF the r2eeh
This is declared to be necessary because OF tine he
boys divided into three grades. Upon entering
t4 nma grade '"e A 4e six months not
back by misconduct they are advanefG TO 1de t6
same condition. they are again advanced 10 'he
| The custody Of boy during the entire period
of his minority may be transferred to the trustees
| at the more than two or three years When
en may be e proyded for him and he released
on parole although the farm still has control over
The boys advanced from grade TO grade ,i ac-
cording to system copied from that in use at Met
| France.
institution receives salary Of ten mills @ o2 23r
department three for his education and work one one
| clothes He may be deprived of his daily payment
| for any carelessness or intentional failure under
in at the office daily by the workers in charge
the boy, The boy is always informed the same day
that he has been marked and should he think that
been made the opportunity of appeal is afforded
graduate is intrusted with all matters possible
IG h rao 10 TO- ISm Of 70 the &
signed ana allowed 70 conduct Walking parties of
| The family. or cottage system is used in dividing
the boys. An graded inmates are members of the
common prvileges of the Institution they have only
and od BOP ~ the % bos tn it
all times except when he should be at work lie
home
WORK AND STUDY.
The industries of the institution are printing.
backsmithing. carpentry, painting and shoe max
ing. Office and typewriting work dairy. garden and
laundry work. besides which some of the boys
assist In the dining room, library and dormtory.
common school education IS all that Is at
tempted For the purpose OF STUDY the boys are
E9 ho f hf ho@ 9na senior ns@
the morning. and the seniors for the length
OF time in the 1IuernoOn. In the summer a vacation
Tor TWO months from school work Is given TO both
There IS also We'll org 1n2cd fire brigade. In
two minutes from the sounding Of alarm the
boys are ready for action. Sometimes alarm 10
sounded early in the morning. long before the boys
night shirts and trousers ready for duty almOs 81
as little dime as many trained hremen would
take.
Any boy running away from the farm loses his
rank and all accumulated earnings OF mills but
not necessarily his place n the family. When a
graduate runs away each graduate fined 100 mills
This is regarded as recognition OF the shame and
disgrace that have fallen the Who'll" grade. In
fragrant cases OF Decentralization gross and con-
tinued profanity, persistent thicving and lying
and other outrageous misdemeanors. "A complaint
against the boy may be lodged at the office, Tale
bearing is. however. not encouraged. Any com
| and by witness OF the acts complained Of
The chief punishment inflicted s complete isolation
| from the other boys. Boys be sentenced to the
i correction room only by the order OF the supern-
tendent.
1t Is computed that 81 per cent of those who
have been under the influences of the farm during
the last ten years are respectable. industrious
Law abiding citizens.
Frederick G. Burnham is president OF the asso
! | citation. Robert Carter treasurer, and James +,
Maury secretary,