The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-01
Thirty-TWO Reform School
Boys In Homes.
Parole System Apparently a
Success There.
MIR. HANCOCK'S REPORT
Explains What He Has to Con-
tend Against.
The Institutions Needs Are
Many and Varied.

Governor stanley's idea TO parole and
find homes for boys reformed at the
state school in this city has placed %
boys in good homes within the past
year. Only two OF this number have
been sent back TO the institution. but
they have been given another trial and
are again in good homes.
When the governor inausurated this
plan, he said.
The saving OF one boy in this manner
viii be OF more Importance TO humanity
than all OF the political Offices in kan
sas."
How well the governor IS pleased with
the result OF his experiment may be
best judged by the fact that he has
found homes for the total number Of al.
The reports from families in which
these boys have been placed indicate
that the training they have received
has been beneficial one OF the nrat
lessons TO a new arrival IS 20 famillariza
him with Yes, sir and NO sir New
arrivals are first taken before the proper
officer Tor measurement and reglstr---
ton
The average addition TO the member
ship usually marches into the presence
Of the officer with a defiant air. His nat
IS usually at an angle over his eye and
from under the headgear his hair gen
orally obtrudes in unxempt bunchea
Have you ever before been hercf' the
superintendent VIII say when the Tor
mality Of presentation has been gone
through with.
Nav" Is the general response
Then follows a brief instruction BY
the officer. who kindly advises the use
Of more polite language, particularly
Yes, sir and mo, sir.
The new arrivals are measured and
their history is recorded after Wnlcn
they are escorted to the bath room ana
thoroughly gaundered- Then new clothes
and a haircut completes MIN Tor ullAA
appearance before the authorities, where
is explained the possibility q good pe-
hafvOr producing an opportuiAt9 ApA @~-
lease under the new parole system
In the report filed with Governor
Stanley. ". S. Hancock, surcrtnteflo en-
OF the reform school, has the Ioilot.lnt-
Varied opinions by different rera-ns
are given regarding the best mouee OK
procedure with the class of ouenQtfa
that are usually incarcerated In instlt1-
tions Of this kind These questions are
being discussed by men and women VINO
make these questions study, ana may
eventually lead to the solving OF Some
of the most difficult problems IN re-
forunatorv work. The time has passed
when the ref0rmat0ries are TO pe en-
trusted TO the thouEhtless and brutal.
whose principal qualinca tons are =
strong will and a stronger passion, with
a feeling that the position they occupy
authorizes them to govern the unlortu-
mates with the iron rule or tyranny Sc
we're measures may become necessary lAA
extreme cases. where desperate charac-
ters are net. but those are the exception
rather than the rule and with ny 1ttT
the greater portion Of so-callen juvenile
criminals there is a more excellent way
dealing with them.
The boys who come TO US are not an
criminals; some are infected with evil
disease many are placed here under
circumstances over which they had. and
could have, no control. and should not
come under the title Of criminals IN any
sense of the word, and. In some cases
from the association and influence OF in-
human parents. A careful and critical
diagnosis Of such cases becomes necea-
sary; his inclinationa and general trend
Of character learned his moral. mental
and physical weaknesses studied until
every defect OF his diseased character IS
understood and carefully treated
Many Of the boys come TO us with a
very limited idea Of personal cleanliness
moral purity. or religious culture There
fore. it is not strange II some should
leave the school without reaching very
high grade in mental or moral training
IN many cases. after a boy IS committed
to the institution, the parents or some
Eo-called friends begin a systematic
course for his release using for their
strongest point the argument, the boy
has been punished enough thus trying
TO hinder rather than promote the
means used for the boys welfare. NO
boy can enter the school without feel
ing. to a greater or less exteut. the infiu-
ence which is brought TO bear upon him
for good, and no boy who enters here
and takes advantage OF the opportuni-
ties offered him. can leave the school
without carrying away with him some
permanent benefits morally. mentally.
and physically. A great many OF the
friends of the boys who visit the school
express their surprise at the splendid
home the state has provided for tha
boys and the training they receive"
Another new feature at the reform
school IS the system Of rewards. cor
sisting OF a credit Of so cents per month.
as a premium for good behavior and
faithful application to studies by the
boys. This fund was created by the last
legislature which appropriated $500 Tor
each year.
superintendent Hancock recommends
that the next legislature change the
name from reform school. TO Industrial
School Tor Boys" He also recommends
a continuance Of the appropriation FOR
rewards. saying that 81 has already
proved both beneficial and inspiring 90
the boys"
Mr. Hancock asks for the following ap-
propriations.
For salary OF competent mechanic 90
oversee the work IN the various trades
For a clerk which the institution has
never had
10 increase the facilities for water
supply.
For a conservatory to take the place
OF the present two small and useless
greenhouses" The institution has an
other large green house.
Victim of Tarrant Explosion.