New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-05

view the old buildings with the same sensations
mat ar old grad goes back 10 his alma mater
AZ commencement tine. 10 sit on the fence about
the campus once more
From tine 10 time Omar '. Sage the super1n-
tsndent IS approached by men who ask II they
may see the building ard the grounds. II asked
their reason. they explain that they are greatly
interested the work done by the House or IN the
school and would like 10 see how il IS conducted
Perhaps as they walk through the small. octasonal
arno-y with its new equipment Of guns looking
businesske n their glass covered racks, they let
fall some remark such as. Why, there has been
marked change in this room. has there not?" con-
hrming the impression that has been in Mr.. Sage's
mind all the tine that this IS another Of the old
boys"
Recently nan who had passed the meridian OF
life, and certainly looked as II life had not been
failure in any sense q the word, went over 10 the
island or the rug which, IL the command OF a
pat-archaI pilot with flowing beard vexes the
placid waters Of the Harlem every fifteen min
yates, and walking across the fresh green lawn 10
the wide portal Of the triple d0rned building asked
FOR the superintendent. n the course Of his con-
Te-sation. he remarked. y was here fifty years
ago. Ny number was seven. am now the treas
Urer OF the county n which live, having previ-
ougy been City Treasurer. \ later examination OF
the records proved his statement regarding his de-
tenton n the House 10 be correct.
Il would be possible FOR boys much older than
this one 10 return with recolIectioHs CT life
RandaU's Island. the Society for the Rerorna-
ton OF Juvenile DeLnquents Il the City OF New
York, which holds the property and conducts the
institution. was chartered il 1924 and several OF
the buildings now in fifty years old II is
said that the House Of Refuge the first
formatory institution Tor youths n this country Il
Tot n the world. AT present the big hive has
population Of about eight hundred and fifty boys
one hundred girls and nifty officers instructors and
attendants The average age cf the inmates is sew
enteeu years, minors may be committed at any
age under eighteen and retained until they are
ryenry-one- The population Is a shifting one, and
Is practically entirely changed within q period Of
TWO years. The inmates are supposed 70 remain at
least Eeventy-eght weeks, but by d system Of com
mutation II is possible for boy or girl TO secure
freedom within a period OF fifteen and one-halt
months. The termination OF a boys stay is deter
mined by favorable marks en- his record, IS being
required.
4 beehive could present no scene OF greater &C
tvtty than the grounds and buildings OF the House
Of Refuge. From 6:l5 a. m. when every boy Off
cially throws back the sheet OF his neat white
metal bedstead, bounces cut and moves toward the
bathroom. until the electric switch leaves the dorr.-
tories n darkness at ?. m. bodies and minds
kept busily engaged n useful action. Il is mini
allure town. conducted on the military plan Every
thing goes By clockwork. even the jaws OF ale
boys al the breakfast table and the baseball bats
al the play periods. The schedule contains the
words bathroom and play four times each and
also the words work" school and military
Grill" No opportunity IS given for idleness. With
The exception OF the moments OF play they
either engaged IN learning some trade or in school
large proportion Of the work Of the institu-
lion is done by the boys ard girls part Of their
instruction. Each boy is obliged 10 learn s1me
trade, and there are facilities for learning wood
carving, designing. carpentry, snoemaking. tall
orng. biacksuithing. printing too making. plumb
ing. brickaying sewing. cooking. baking and
Fulz A,s.- &c alv Tho
boys and girls The bakers display their ingenuity
IN twisting Dough into odd Shapes. making appe-
tizing sugar cookies, such as every NeH-Eng-
lander remembers unless q part OF his education
has been neglected sadly. and as for gingerbread,
ITS odo- when II IS drawn from the great ovens IS
enough 10 tempt the most moral to become bad ex-
annpies for the boys by committing petty larceny.
The taiIors design, cut and make the clothing for
The boys while the girls do the same for them
selves as wei doing nearly all the laundry work
for the entire institution. The shoes made and
cobbling is done by those working in this class, and
The necessary carpentry work is performed by the
advanced students II the carpentry class.
No bog IS thrust into any trade for which he has
10 aptitude When he enters the active work Of his
new domicile the youth is entered IN the art man
ual and sloyd classes. Here they are watched at
Their work. with the idea Of gaining some IDEA OF
the trade or occupation for which they are best
httsd. After three months they are assigned To a
trade It has been observed that the nationality
displaying TIRE greatest artistic ability IS,
might guess. the Italian. story IS told Of how
one boys artistic tendency was discovered, which
reminds OF the tale OF Cnlabue's discovery OF
Giotto's ability.
M Sage enc day was walking through the quar-
altine house. in which the new arrivals are kept
tor TWO weeks. y..Ien he discovered freshly cut
lace in the woodwork II was evidently the work
maHship Of some one possessed OF an artistic in
st!nct
Who did this?' asked Mr.. Sage. There was no
response from The boys. who evidently fearful
mat knowledge would result in some sort Of pun
NnnleaL Al last responded. Michael An
eslo.' This proved 10 be attempt 10 screen
The perpetrator behind 3 play the name OF the
great worker in plastic art, but the name OF one
oI the boys then ia quarantine.
did not ask with the idea OF puuishins, said
M sage, but because il was good"
Il was readily seen what this boys bent was.
@1e at the recent exhibition several pieces of his
work were shown. and he was called upon 20
mott the ambieextrous method Of freehand draw
Ing taught
no boy leaves the institution unless he is as
s~fso OF a position to which he go as
ne crosses the Harlem His training in the trades
s-hlclent 70 interest him in a regular occupation
-o Tx MIN for taking the place OF helper in them