Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-01-09

philanthropie ana reformntory work IN ouF
State, who feel that existing conditions afe
neither in harmony with the spirit OF q pro
gressive civilization. nor calculated TO pre-
duce the best results
II is needless for me to dwell upon tho
great benefits which would come from such
a Reformatory. All must recognize the i'm
portance Of doing everything possi0le for
the moral uplifting Of such wlmen as would
here be cared for and the State may well
foster a movement which, while recogrss-
straint. at the same time aims to make
them seIf.respecting and self-supportiss
/ submit this matter to your earnest con-
slderation.
The Reform School.
Upon recent visit to the Reform
School, | was convinced that the construc-
ton OF more cottages similar 10 those al
ready existing lis necessary to enable this
institution 10 attain the highest degree OF
efficiency. This would make possible a bet
ter classification OF the unfortunate boys
who are detained there. and wou..- greatly
promote their moral and physical Welfare.
Today there are about sixty boys living In
two cottages whose conditions and sur
roundngs are all that could be desired. The
remainder, about ninety In number, are In
the main building, wn4en affords greatly in
ferior accommodations, as very little
money has been expended on 1t for many
years.
doubt the wisdom of using this build
ing as a dormitorv at ali. The cottage
plan has been demonstrated to be by far
the best for the welfare and Improvement
of those who are sent 10 this institution.
Many of these boys are merely the Victims
Of poverty and parental neglect, and are
friendless rather than criminal, often
times being sent to the shooi on account
of truancy, or some minor ofenSe scarcely
more serious in it's character.
1t is the duty of the State to do every
thing possible 10 improve the condition of
them in right doing, and to lead them into
ways that will develop them into honest,
self-reliant and useful citizens. Irraspect-
i've of the sentiment of humanity the care
full training of these boys Is in the interest
of true economy and sound public policy
At comparatively small cost the main
building could be put IN good repair. and It
Is we'll adapted for schoolrooms, work
rooms. and the general purposes of the in
stitution. / recommend such an appropria-
tion for this work as in your judgment may
seem wisest and best.
Maine Industrial School for Girls.
The Report of the Trustees of the Maine
Industrial School for Girls shows that
there are 1865 girls now under the care OF
this institution. OF these, I'll are in the
school, IA are out at board. A are working
for their board and 40 are receiving wages.
of the number are self-sustalning. The
girls are taught habits OF personal eleanii-
ness and neatness, the laws of health, how
to do housework in all its branches, how to
knit and sew and make garments, and the
common English branches, such as are
taught in the public schools.
ON the 9th of February last. Flag
in the winter of 1899, was again ready for
occupancy, greatly relieving. the crowded
condition of the other buildings. On May
24th, Erskine Hall was burned, together
with the small building to the north,
known as the office, the FIRE spreading SO
rapidly that little Of the furnishings Of the
mates could be saved. Insurance to the
amount Of Sl1,675;0o has been paid,
school. and Sl9s7.50 into the State treas
ury. This latter sum can become available
for rebuilding only through an appropria-
ton by the Legislature.
girls homeless They were Immediately pro-
vided for by being taken into other build
ings, and within three weeks p Of them
secured for fifteen of them under twelve
years of age at price so moderate as to
Increase but slightly the expense of their
The policy of placing in private families
Younger girls. who have committed no e.
Tense, but are unfortunate in having no
suitable homes of their own. has been fol-
lowed to advantage in other States, and
nav be worthy of imitation in our own.
You will be asked for an appropriation
amount received for insurance being insult
ficient for this purpose. You viii also be
asked to provide for further improvements
which seem necessary to put the institu-
ton in 8 creditabe condition.
The school is doing an important work.
and it's various needs will, | am sure, re-
ceive your careful attention.
Other Departments.
The reports of the State Assessors, the
Railroad Commissioner, the Insurance Com
missioner. the Commissioner of Industrial
and Labor Statistics the Secretary of the
state Board of Health. and of other State
departments. as well as of the trustees of
the various State institutions, viii give
Won in detail an account of their work and
requirements. 1t will be your duty to
anime. carefully and thoroughly. into the
condition Of every institution and depart
ment and to determine what amounts are
reasonably necessary for their proper
maintenance and support. trust you will
NOT hesitate TO refuse any appropriation
that seems unwise or unnecessary. and
that expenditures will be reduced wherever
this is consistent with efficient service. Our
institutions and various governmental de-
nartments are, ! believe, well managed
and the State is most fortunate in having
faithful and competent men in her public
service Tut 1t is none the less your duty
to thoroughly inform yourself in all these
matters. that you may act unon them IN
derstandingiy. and net rely upon the iudg-
ment and opinion of others. 1t is also due
10 those who have earnestly and zealously
devoted their best efforts to the service of
the State, that You should give them the
advantage of your counsel and Judgment,
that ali may work together for the com
mon interest and the common good
Conclusion.
| wish to assure you of my earnest de-
sire 10 cooperate with you in every meas
ure that tends to promote the interests of
the State and the welfare and prosperity
of it's people. The noble example of those
high minded and patriotic men, whose de-
voted aid unselhsh public service in the
rast makes so mary Of the proudest pages
In our history. should inspire us TO dis
charge with honor and credit the difficult
and Important duries dJvnlting upon us. II
We exercise thar good Judgment. careful
foresight and iudici0uS economy so essen
tial fu tbs success oil ugivaJe enterprise,
our success Is assured and thJG2a all may
net .rdutse the result Of our efforts, we
Should be satisfied with the work accom-
Plished If our own Judgment and conscience
approve.
Confident that you VIII sustain the proud
record Of the past. and that your efforts
Will result In great permanent beneut 10
8 the STATE. permit me 10 remind you Of the
Importance and necessity of beginning upon
the work before you soon as possible.
thus avoiding the danger OF hnsty and ILL
considered legislation IN the busy closing
l weeks of tn session.
/ trust that you will lind your duties
pleasant and agreeable, and that when the
work of the session has been accomplished