New-York tribune., 1901-12-15
AFFAIRS IN CONNECTICUT.
PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH SMALL
BOY MISDEMEANANTS- - TOBACCO
GROWING UNDER CLOTH.

Hartford. Conn., Dec II (SpeciaD.-The rnunic-
ipaI judges of the State those who preside over
police courts both in the large and small towns,
were in session in this city Thursday, and
the discussion turned largely on the perplexing
bad boy problem. AS the law now is, there Is
no choice allowed the judges between letting a
Juvenile offender go free sending him to the
State School for Boys, or, as it is more frequent
y called the reform school, until he is twenty
one years old This has worked hardship in
many cases and has proved to be the worst
thing for the offender. The judges suggested no
remedy by vote but Judge Bishop. Of New
Haven, president of the association. suggested
that every town have large open lot at the
disposal of the public that it be fenced in with
high board fence with spikes top. and that
all parents be compelled to take their boys TO
that lot where they would be under surveillance
during the day. and see that they taken
safely home at night. This, of course was a
humorous rather than a possible solution of the
problem but 1t represents the feelings Of many
of the Judges who are unable to cope with the
problem of boy offenders under the present law
1t is true that the reform school has system OF
probation by which boys are frequently sent
away from the school parole and oftentimes
never come back again. but there seems to be
no middle ground under the law. II the judges
could send boy TO the school for a few months
1t would frequently be the best tnlnS Tor nlIl
But to send him for long term of years would
likely to be the worst thing for him. The judges
insist that there should be stronger division
line than now between the vicious boys and the
boys who need only mild correction, and it is
probable that the management of the school
would meet them in this important matter.
The condition of affairs at the Connecticut Ag-
ricultural College at Storrs has much improved
since the troubles which led to the resignation
of President Flint in the early summer. The
president pro tenn, Mr.. Stimson, who will likely
remain for some time, has good influence over
the boys and the student roll has increased ma
terialIy since he has taken hold of the work. A
new feature of military picket drill has been in
troduced which is popular with the students.
and there seems to be return of confidence in
the institution The new president has outlined
new courses OF study. shorter than those former
ly insisted upon, in dairying, fruit growing and
poultry keeping and the options in them are be-
ing taken up rapidly
The movement in the direction of raising su-
matra tobacco under cloth has taken on new
phase and twollarge companies with abundant
capital. have been formed this week to enter into
the cultivation on an extensive scale. The ex-
pense of housing the fields with cloth is so great
that Individual growers. with few exceptions,
cannot enter upon the work with any hope OF
success because of the lack Of capital One
company has been formed for operation in Sims
bury on the Nicholson farm and adjacent to-
bacco lands. Ariel Nicholson and his brother
Joseph being leaders in the enterprise. Marcus
J. Floyd OF the government Agricultural De-
partment who has been at the Nicholson farm