The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-22
HOCH ISq'T SATISFIED.
Conditions at Hutchinson Reformatory
Might BE Improved.

Governor Hoch stated this morning
that he is not satisfied with conditions
Al the Hutchinson reformatory, and
proposes to see to,it that more attention
is paid in the future to the reformation
Of the inmates of that institution, and
their moral and intellectual welfare.
1t is not likely, however, that Gov
ernor F0ch will order a formal in
vestigation of the institution. He has
received from the Hutchinson Minis
terial association the communication
referred to in Friday evenings State
Journal, asking that he appoint an i'm
partial committee to investigate the
conditions at the reformatory. Con-
corning the situation, Governor Hoch
said this morning:
ex-chaplain for three hours concern
ing his ideas about the Hutchinson re-
foFmatOry. and while l am firmly con-
WINGED that Mr.. Gates is sincere. I be-
HeVe that he advances some matters
which are trivial, and 1 think it is gen
orally admitted by Mr.. Gates friends
that he is Impractical in some things
And then of course, the personal ele-
ment enters into it, no doubt for MI
Gates was discharged by Mr.. Marshall
Il believe that both Mr. Gates ana
Superintendent Marshall are excellent
men. In material way, Mr.. Marshall
can not be improved upon No one
criticises the financial management,
and no one charges Mr.. Marshall with
dishonesty. The principal thing
charged against him is that he does not
believe in the Transforming power of
Jesus Christ to sufficient extent to
allow himself to make it a factor in
handling the boys under his care. He
looks at those boys in a purely ma
teralistic standpoint; he considers
them a pretty bad lot. and handles
them accordingly. And yet the records
of the school show that it is successful
in reforming a great majority OF the
inmates.
II noticed when I was at the Hutch
inson reformatory few days ago that
the $50 boys eat from rough lot OF
old tables from black granite dishes
I don't think that is a very good way
for boys of that age to be treated. L
think they should have tablecloths on
the table and bouquets of flowers
think they should have some good.
white-haired. motherly women there In
the institution to help take care OF
them. 1 think they should be required
to go to school more. believe tbs
state should have a salt mine right
there on its own land. There is moth
ing more healthy than working IN a
salt mine. 1t is a cure for certain dis
eases. Let the boys work half day,
and go to school the other half Fifty
per cent of the boys who are taken to
that institution arc obliged to use the
first and second readers, and none o.
tn ose admitted are under 10 years Old;
The educational feature of the school
should be emphasized. Tell the boy
who is taken there. This place looks
like a prison, but it is really q school.
where you may learn how to work and
how to be a good citizen
Il have gone into these matters fully
in nv message. 1 think that the in
stitution has been improving under
superintendent Marshall's manage
men. and I think it should be still fur
Their improved. They are building n
big wall around the 90 acre tract ad-
Joining the school. Many improve
ments Of a purely preparatory nature
are going on Those Improvement
have doubtless interfered more or less
with the development of the more re-
fnin9 influences. When this wall IS
completed there will be more time for
that work And propose to see to it
during the coming two years of my adj
ninistration that these Improvements
are made"