New-York tribune., 1900-07-03
HOME FOR INCORRIGIBLES.
ANNUAL MEETING AT BERKSHIRE IN
DUSTRIAL FARM-CONEY ISLAND
ON THE MOUNTAIN.

1T is always the woman who is behind the great
movement" said President Franklin Carter OF
Williams College at the Berkshire Industrial Farm,
formerly known the Burnham Farm, Canaan,
y. Y, last week President Carter is a member
OF the Board OF Directors OF the institution and
was one Of the speakers at the annual meeting Of
the society. which followed the yearly dinner. The
dinner held IN the picnic woods q hill back
Of Gilpin Hall, overhanging beautiful Queechy
Lake. At the long table were seated officers and
friends OF the farm from this city New-Jersey
and Massachusetts. Frederick G. Burnham, presi-
dent and founder OF the institution. presided.
Dr. Carter began his address by congratulating
both Mr.. and Mrs. Burnham upon the success Of
their great underta aking the idea OF which origi-
mated with Mrs. Burnham.
Dr. Carter believed that there could be nobler
work than the redemption Of boys whose ideas Of
truth and right had been deadened and who were
the way become a poison to society. There
nothing that crowns culture. nothing that glort-
humanity like the uplifting OF humanity he
said The State VIII do nothing for institution
Ike this. If child is deficient in any sense-tf he
is blind deaf or dumb-it will care for him; but Il
he is morally lacking the child must be saved by
the voluntary effort Of those who love character"
Dr. Carter paid a touching tribute TO the late
Charles L. Brace his friend and Mr. Burnham's
whose work for boys IN the Children's Aid Society
had been so far reaching. and 10 whom Mr.. Burn
ham had first gone for counsel regarding the kind
OF an institution that needed.
Fifteen years ago Mr.. Burnham bought of the
Of valley. mountain and stream which comprise the
plant. Upon it at that time there were seven or
eight buildings. some Of them large and COM
modious. and these had formerly been occupied by
a Shaker community.
MRS. BURNHABTS IDEA.
I-pou Mrs Burnha1n's fret visit to the place she
exclaimed 10 her husband: DO you know what
you ought TO DO with this farm and these great
buildings? You ought TO give them for the of
boys" That the mustard seed" from which
has sprung the institution that has helped 10
noble manhood hundreds Of boys whom parents,
teachers and IN many the State had pro-
nounced incorrtgible.
Three years IS the usual time for which they
committed but while good boy may be able
his way out in fourteen months, boy
has always spent but never earned finds the
three years too long. boys standing at the
farm is entirely dependent upon and determined
by his exertions. which find obvious express
sion IN the mill system" BY this method JUS
tice is swift ami each day brings it's sure reward
Of an increased or decreased bank account. This
is shown in literal book Of judgment" which
is kept for each one separately. and when submit
ted z boy every Wednesday is a cold but unde-
niable record Of deeds good and bad The latter
include unwashed hands. uncombed hair unblack-
cred shoes and carelessness generally.
For infringement Of rules, such disobedience,
running away, stealing or lying large debts are
incurred. which sometimes represent thousand or
mills, and which must be settled by denial Of
all pleasures until the obligation is paid
guest who visiting the dining at
supper time the other day said of the boys
why, you have cake on this tablet
NO sir replied of the boys meekly I'VE
don't get cake, cause we're in debt That was
the table for bankrupts. but its occupants are al
ways changing.
For the opulent boy there many pleasures In
summer there is berrying the mountains riding
TO the neighboring villages, playing ball in the big
beautiful meadow. which is the boys very own;
camping several times during the season upon the
swimming and boating the lake. IN the fall
there are end of nuts TO be gathered and in the
winter coasting and skating.
WHY BOYS ARE COMMITTED.
The boys are admitted 10 the farm by commit
u7ent Of State Magistrates. and by contract with
parents. guardians institutions. They com
nitted only between the ages Of seven and six
teen years. After sixteen II still unmanageable.
they are sent the Elmira ReformatOry. The
specific causes TOR which boys sent there are
many; but theft. truancy and intemperance are
the most usual. They arrive with distorted ideas
Of life which have left traces upon their youth
ful faces and figures But with wholesome occu-
pauons CT work and play, and under the healing
and benehcent influence of Mother Nature, they
learn right thinking and living, which Is soon
shown in Frightening eyes and a growing inteln-
gence Of expression The present inmates repre- re-
streets 10 petted sons or rich ana lhnuenua!
citizens.
and every mothers wants TO come back once
he IS away" said MI Burnham. Running away
is not infrequent, and a large percentage OF the
boys, time or another, have tried II. he-
Gently seven boys ran away. Three of them. how
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