The daily sentinel., 1901-12-07
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
"Not a Prison, but a Home for
Boys" Says Superintendent
Mirick of Golden. 4

NblIbNN VI SOlOObSs
Superintendent Frank g. Mirick, Of
the State Industrial School at Golden,
was a visitor to the city yesterday, ar
riving Oh No. 3 and leaving on No. last
night. Mr.. Mirick came to take back to
the school Albert Vaught, who has been
out on parole, bat who violated the con-
ditions Of his release and had to be
placed in the school again and under the
direct supervision OF the management.
A Sentinel representative had the
privilege OF an interview with Mr.. Mir
ick during his stay in this city and
learned several things about the reform
school which made it appear in a much
better light than heretofore. In part
Mr.. Mirick said:
"a great many people have wrong
impression of the State Industrial
School; they too often associate prison
stripes and bread and water with their
thoughts Of the young boys who are
sent to the institution. That is all
stuff. There is nothing hut the very
the boys who are placed there. The in
stitution is more like boarding school
than anything can think OF just now
with which to compare it. The inmates
are all taught to do something, and they
have the privilege OF choosing the trade
which they wish to learn The branch
es taught are shoemaking, printing,
tailoring, steam laundrying, baking,
cooking, mechanics. blacks kemithing, paint
ing. carpentering, electrical work and
manual training. They are also taught
vocal and instrumental music.
"Just enough military discipline 10 in
jected into the training to give a manly
bearing to the boys and not enough to
make them feel that they are being
drilled day after day. The time for
which boy may be committed to the
school depends upon his age and the Of
fenses for which he is sent up. FOR
crimes against the laws Of the state they
may be sent from 10 to 16 years Of age
and remain until they are 81. For les
ser offenses. such as truancy, they may
be sent between the ages Of 8 and IA, and
remain until they are 16.
IAN opportunity is given everyone of
them to gain his own release by the mer:
IL and demerit system. At the expira-
ton OF IA months, which is the mini
mum, il boy has sufficient good stand
ing he may be released on parole, sub.
,ect to return at any time If tho condi-
tions OF his parole are violated. They
are obliged to report once every month
to the superintendent Of the school, on
blanks furnished for that purpose. 1t
was because this young Vaught did not
remain faithful to his agreement, that
am obliged to take him back"
Besides the instructions along business
lines, Mr.. Mirick said that there was a
regularly conducted school, graded as
far as the eighth grade. 10 which the
boys are obliged to go, alternating each
day with the department work which
they are taking.
When asked about the young boys
from this city who have been sent to the
school, OF whom there are five, Mr.. Mir
ick said they we're getting along nicely.
and that not one OF them had given any
particular trouble. There are at pres
ent 2l0 boys at the school and about rs
out on parole. Altogether the school
does for them what their parents have
failed to do, and the young mep are fire.
quently much better of than many boys
who are raised without the training
which is compulsory at such an institu-
ton.
There is = band OF 20 pieces at the
school. in which Joe johnson, sent from
this city, plays snare drum.
About the Weather.