The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-23
GENERALLY FAVORED
WEED FOR REFoRMAToRY RE-
CEIvEs PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT.
SEEMS GOOD TO COURTS.
,TDGE FALLIGANT SAYS SUCH AN
INSTITUTION is NEEDED.

solicitor General Osborne Another
Ardent Advocate of the Establish
ment- of "A RefOrmatOry in Chatham
Countryside Has a Plan for Such an
Institution That seems Feasible.
would Have the Commissioners
Erect n Building on County Farm
and Keep Young Offenders Separ-
otc From Old and Depraved Crimf-
mails.
The suggestion made in the Morning
News yesterday that reformatory be
established in Chatham county for the
reclamation of youthful criminals, was
favorably received by those officials whose
duties bring them an acquaintance, with
existing social conditions.
Judge Robert Falligant of the Superior
Court and Solicitor General w. w. Os-
horne both expressed themselves as fav-
oring the establishment of a reformatory
Judge T. NJ. Norwood of the City Court
an opportunity to interview whom was
not presented, has long announced him
self as heartily desiring a reformatory
here.
81 have already signed an application
TO the Governor for the pardon of Law
renee Purdy, the lad whom l sentenced
10 a term of six months on the county
farm a day or two ago. said Judge Fal-
ligant. The pardon is asked for the
purpose of having the boy placed in
the George Junior Republic at Free
Vile N. Y, where it is hoped that
he may be transformed into a good and
useful citizen. Had 1 known that this
effort was being made before 1 passed
sentence, 1 would have held up the case
and permitted a nolle prosequi to be en-
tered in it. As sentence has already been
passed, the case is beyond my control,
and | can only join in the petition to the
Governor for the boys pardon.
These cases confront me frequently"
said Judge Falligant, land the best thing
l can do is to send the young defendants
to the county farm. There, if the county
authorities will, the boys can be kept
separate from older and more hardened
criminals ... |
AT any rate it is the best that the
courts can do. am informed that some
Of these boys are inveterate offenders and
that they have come to regard themselves |
largely as immunes from punishment for |
;he crimes they commit. To turn them |
loose upon the community, but encour-
ages them to the commission of other |
crimes and is not fair to the public in
terests nor good for the boys. At the
same time 1 quite understand that to
send them to the county farm will not |
help to reclaim them from their evil
courses"
Solicitor General w. w. Osborne bet |
ter probably than anyone else in Savan-
nah. understands the need of such an in
sdtuton as has been suggested. He |
watches the young, offender from the time
he sEe4ls hfseflrst apple to the later time
when he rs sent to the penitentiary for
some serious offense. The intermediate
years are filled with sentences to terms
on the changing, which the youth, no
sooner serves out than he commits some
other offense. The solicitor general re-
called the case of one young man, how
70 or 20 years old. who since he was boy,
has served eight or ten terms on the
chaingang ranging in length from three
months to a year.
"A reformatory that would answer all
/ practical purposes could be established
l by the County Commissioners at very
small expense" said Mr.. Osborne 1.-THE
county farm is amply large enough to
accommodate all the buildings that could
possibly be needed and all needed build
ngs could be erected without the expen-
diture of much money.
The great consideration is to keep the
boys separate from the older and
more hardened criminals and to
teach them some useful and
profitable trade If they are taught a
means Of earning an honest livelihood
there is at least a chance they will not
again turn to their old crimes. have
urged such plan many times in the
past, but have never been able to &C
complish anything in the matter. 1 would
sincerely like to see something DONE
Other state and county officials and
many others whose interest in the reform.
Of young criminals is merely that of good
citizens expressed their approval of the
plan. That modification of the general
scheme suggested by Mr.. Osborne seemed
10 most of them to be the most feasible
ana therefore the one which should be
adopted 1t would require the expenditure
OF comparatively small amount of mon
ty ana yet has in it the germ of a great
good.
The need for a reformatory is. not
more on account of the boys whom it
MOtIu reclaim from a life of crime than
J" Is on account of society ITSELF" said
1,'e vi those with whom the matter was
discussed. "A criminal class In the COM
nuhity is an expensive luxury. Every
iAuiAa who attains years of maturity
~ me state ana county many thOu-
soilus OF dollars, first in what he steals,
anu second in the expense of his numer
Gus conviction, and his care by the county
atle["aTds during his various periods Of
.'"tnement II one boy in ten, who
%0uId otherwise become criminals, can
reclaimed by a reformatory, 1t will
n"5t demonstrated amply it's usefulness
aDu oeen actually a paying and profitable
.s'eStment. This. is altogether outside
y. any benevolent or sentimental consid-
erations"
AN effort will probably be made to in
,St The present grand jury in the
t. .. and to reach, through the grand
'"'' the County Commissioners.
resented n Watch Charm.
m' II. e. Dreeson. grand valiant COM
hander Of the knights of the Royal Arch