Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1907-08-29
Call for Reformatory.
(Union Republican,

ally true as regards an institu-
ton that our State as yet can
not be proud OF, although some
preparation has been made for
it. We refer to the much talked
.of reformatory foryouthful Grim
inals. By the increasing number
OF offenders of tender age that,
in every locality, appear before
our courts of justice constantly
and the repeated demand from
grand juries for better means of
their disposition, it is time for q
determined step to be taken in
this respect.
Not long age, the Asheville Ga
zette News, whose interest in the
establishment OF such an institu-
ton has never waned, had this
to say in part on the subject:
"The grand jury report touch
ling theInecessity Of a reformatory
for youthful criminals brings a.
gain to the surface a question
the importance of which has, we
fear, been underestimated in this
tate. The last two sessions OF
lhe legislature gave lfse to the
hope that something would be
done in behalf OF juvenile Lffen-
ders, but the movement drew a
blank, while other questions, pri-
vate and public, were rush e. d
through with celebrity " h ic h
spoke loudly OF we'll oiled machin
cry. North Carolina should look
beyond the present, when consid-
ering the question of a sta t Q
Juvenile reformatory. The seed
we are sowing now, by placing
children of tender years under
the influence of hardened crimi-
nails cannot fail to produce a de-
plorable harvest. There are
many reasons why the old North
State should endeavor to g..e t
out of the small number ofstates
having no provision for juvenile
criminals.
And in the report referred to,
these are the reasons which are
conclusive evidence for the estab.
lishment of such Institutions:
There is an alarming increase
at each succeeding term. In the
absence of @ reformatory tn G
Judge can only imprison with hal
dened offenders or release on pre-
baton. Usually the latter course
!; is adopted. Time and again these
boys are brought into court ano
released on probation, only to
commit like offences. Not only
do the people suffer greatly in 9
financial way on account OF the
ldepredations committed by this
class and incur enormous ex
pense in prosecuting them in the
court, but we find that they arr
influencing and causing the ruiz
OF many other boys who hav!
! not yet reached the age OF DIS
|cretion. The public is not only
suffering a financial loss. but u
sacrificing the future usefulness
and character OF many boys whit
4lbut for this neglect, would prob
ably make good citizens. Th'
! cost is not only in dollars a n
cents, but in blood.
J Every word Of which is true.
! we recall, the matter was give
! q consideration in the Legisia-
. tive lbody at thelast session an
an appropriation set aside 10
this institution, but there came
halt. Nothing more was or ma
been done, while its need ma
grown daily greater. Althoug
fhe donation was not large, a b,
ginning might have been mad
Which Once started, would doub
less have created and proved {
40 much value, its completio
y would have been but o matter {
Q short duration. The inactlon no
< being followed is, each day, moT
" and more dimming the future
9 North Carolina and we trust ths
!, our State, III the near future ca
2 compare it's reformatory to an,
a now The pride Of her neighbour