The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-11
Friday, October II, 1907.
THE STATE REFORMATORY.

reformatory, which it is proposed to
locate at Florence. He gives his
tory Of the agitation, which led up the
introduction of bill in the legisla-
lature for the establishment of the
reformatory, and history of the leg
islation in reference thereto. The bill
establishing the reformatory was
passed by the legislature in 1906 and
carried with it an appropriation Of
$4,000. The Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad, through Mr.. Henry Walters,
donated one hundred and twenty
acres Of land adjoining the city Of
Florence, which is estimated to be
worth $4,000. The county of Flor
ence promised $4,000. Mr.. Hoyt con-
trasts these gifts with the appropria-
ton by the state to the discredit Of
the latter.
At the session Of the legislature in
1907, it was found that the appro-
priation by the state had not been ex-
hausted, and the only appropriation
made was the unexpended balance,
which amounted to about $4,000.
If we recall the propositions made
to the last legislature, they were first
for a direct appropriation by the
state, which the ways and means COM
mittee failed to put in the appropria-
tion bill. And then if that was not
done for a ban from the sinking
fund for term Of years.
A committee bill from the
committee on, common schools was in
troduced, providing for a loan from
the sinking fund Of $65,000 to be
paid back in five years at five per
cent, making $4,000 and Interest
each year.
DR.. Mann and the COM
mittee from Florence, who appeared
before the ways and means commit
tee of the Legislature, as We recall it,
insisted that they could not do any
thing that would amount to much
with less appropriation than $780,
600, and if they had That, they could
only care for about one hundred boys.
We are inclined to the poinion that
the elaborate plans, which we're pres
ented, and the large amount, which
was asked and which it seemed was
required to care for so small num-
Der Of boys, probably frightened the
members of the legislature and led
them to the conclusion that if this
money was invested at this time, that
there would, in the future, be regular
and constant demand for an increas-
ed appropriation. In fact, there was
consideraSa difference Of opinion.
as we recall it, as to the advisability
Of the state establishing such an in
stitution, and so large a school as
seemed to be in the minds Of those
who were connected with its manage
ment.
y In addition to that, if we are not
mistaken, DR.. Mann stated that it
was. not the purpose Of the institu-
ton to take the criminal class of
boys at all, and probably that state
ment Of his gave currency to the
opinion that the ultimate object in
the minds of the management was to
establish another higher institution
Of learning in that part of the state
rather than to establish a real refor-
matcry.
Mr.. Hoyt, in his article, says.
ANY boy convicted Of a crime for
which the punishment is imprison-
ment in the penitentiary, or on the
chain-gang, may be committed instead
to the reformatory by the circuit or
MAGISTRATES court, and the judge or
magistrate may remit the sentence
if the boy voluntarily or on motion
of his parents or guardian agrees to
enter the institution.
We are of the opinion, if those in
charge of this reformatory would be
more moderate in their demands and
less extravagant their Ideas, that
something might be done by the state
to assist in its establishment, but if
it is stated again this winter that it
will take at least $4,000 to prepare
for one hundred boys, and that the
criminal class are not to be included,
it is very probable that the legislature
will do nothing. In fact, if the Grim
inal class are not to be taken as was
stated last winter by the committee