The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-14

Despite the teamsters' strike. have
been deeply moved by reading an ac-
count OF the annual reunion OF the Re-
form School association OF neishpor-
ing state.
il appears that the association has a
the land and some of them I'm different
countries IL appears that the alumnus
who was president had, Just before me
annual meeting. been detained by certain
officials in another state on account or
neglecting TO take sufficient precautions
To prevent discovery in minor house
dress was therefore read by the vice
president Ii was devoted chiefly to a
comparison OF the advantages enjoyed by
those fortunate young men who are ma
circulated I'm our reform schools today
and those OF the period when the presi-
dent of the association was youth.
Times have changed. indeed in our re-
form schools. The students OF an ear.
lier day as the president of the Alumni
association says. were not only restrained
from their normal activities, but there
was a good deal about the curriculum
that signified punishment for deeds done
and not altogether benevolent admoni-
tions against doing them again. To-Day
the students I'm the modern, well-regu-
lated reformed reform school have all the
advantages Of state education; state
training and state discipline, with moth
ing about II TO make them feel sensitive.
The poor, but honest boy may have TO
quit school and go TO work upon arrly'
ing at the age OF statutory limitation.
But the fortunate undergraduate at the
reform school Is enabled TO continue 10
pursue his we'll arranged course. guided
as well as guarded by the states beneh-
cence, until he reaches the full bloom OF
manhood.
OF course, the course is also always
open TO the honest, but poor, boy TO com:
NIT some minor offense and thus get
scholarship I'm the school But not all
of them think TO avail themselves OF the
opportunity and. In some instances, there
may be a parental restraint that proves
effective to prevent them from acquiring
the advantages that the modern reform
school affords.
II appears that a part of the acad,
emic course OF the modern reform school
often proves very practical In enabling
the student 10 pursue his career In after
life with success. The records or the
state prison. which I'm some instances is
a sort OF post graduate institution TO the
reform school, show that manual train
ing. and particularly. perhaps. the art OF
the toolmaker and the locksmith. as
taught in<he reform schools. prove high
ly advantageous after graduation.
In the address OF the president or the
Alumni association, these matters were
discussed with much enthusiasm, as
gather from the summary at hand. i
hope to be able 10 secure copy or the
address In full
The president. however, called attention
to the need OF a more thoroughly develop
ed course i'm electric work and wiring 10
meet the modern development OF electric
signalling and protective devices Many OF
the graduates complain that upon leav-
ing the reform school they are but poorly
equipped TO cope successfully with the
problems that such devices have created
and they find themselves at serious dis
advantage on that account.
Still the president felt that The state
was doing great deal for the reform
school student in a practical way.
DAN III LOW.