The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-01-15
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.

A state reform school IS among the
many installations that should be pro.
vided for in the constitution and liber-
ally established by the next legisle
ture. Oklahoma has been lame n this
particular through an its history In
many case young conyicts who were
punishable by imprisonment have
resented very serious propositions TO
the courts which were much averse TO
giving either iail sentences or send
lag them TO the penitentiary at Lans-
ms Kansas.
In 1895 during Governor w. G.. Rem
frows administration, an act was
passed by the Legislature authorizing
the governor TO contract with respon
sible parties for the care and keeping
of Juvenile offenders. Not being able
TO make any proper arrangement
within the territory the assistance Of
rcighborink states was earnestly
sought but every state between the
Mississippi and the mou1tains refused
for lack of room declaring their in
stitutions badly over-crowded.
In this deplorable condition things
have remained until the present time.
Reform, not Punishment is the key
note for juvenile offenders and incor-
rigible youths The idea extends 20
the peniteptiary as well but IL appeals
with especial force for the young boy
or girl
Governor Frantz. in his recent re-
port to the secretary of the interior,
makes strong plea for the reform
school. which should be called in any
act by some name less approbiols He
said.
Oklahoma is without reform
school for youthful offenders against
the law An act was passed in the
legislature of 1895 authorizing the
governor to ENTER into contract
with responsible parties within the
boundaries of Oklahoma for the safe
keeping. careful rearing and education
OF yodthful ofreaders. who may have
been found guilty OF violation Of law
or are found to be incorrigible by
some court An appropriation of
s5. GOO was also made for carrying this
act into effect
This sum was found TO be wholly
for the purpose intended
since some fifty or more of the in
mates Of the peniteniary at Lansing
belong properly in a reform school. IT.
has not been deemed prudent and
possible under exi ting circumstances
and conditions TO enter into contract
with private persons for the safe
keeping and education of the yogths
above named The citizens of Ara
darko, in Caddo county, sought to have
The inst.tgtion located adjoining that
city. on ground occupied by the In
dian agency and if not required for
he lse of the agency have intended to
petition congress TO set apart this
and for the purposes of a reformatory.
The territory is much in need of an
of this kind. since the SEN
.encing of mere boy, as often nap
pens, aIbjects hn to associations In
he peniteutiary that are degrading
ana morally wrong, totally bunting
whatever hieh sensibilities remain in
he boys nature, thus destroying his
chances for usefulness when relea,e ed
rom prison. The environn ent of a
state prison Is inc0nceiyable demoral-
Eng TO the tender nature of an erring
boy. and reform school sholld be
by the state at the next
meeting OF the legislature.
on last Saturday, Jan. 2, Mr.. Safer
Constitutional Proposition
No. 394, being a proposition to pro
vide for juyenile court and a deten |
ion home for youthful criminals. |
which was read, real a second time by |
title and referred to the Committee |
IN Judiciary and Judicial Department
The subject is one of Importance |
md requires immediate attention.