New-York tribune., 1908-02-11
vAssAR AND THE REFORM SCHOOL.
President Taylor Protests Against Removal
of House of Refuge to Site Near College.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: 1t is perhaps not generally known TO your
readers that a commission has recommended the
location of the present reform school at Randall
Island at a point on the Hudson River Just south
of Poughkeepsie and about four miles from Fassar
College. There are many reasons why the citizens
of Poughkeepsie might well rise in opposition 10 the
bill as those whose places in the excellent
residential district where it is proposed TO place
this penal institution Vassar College however. is
protesting against the bill in the Legislature, and
asks the assistance of its friends who feel its
authorities do regarding this 1t might be
stated in this connection that the annual meeting
of the Vassar Alumnse. which took place in New
York on Saturday and included representatives
from all this state. we'll as from every sec
tion the country. was most emphatically opposed
the plan under consideration and took strong
action the matter.
II NAV seem many at first merely sent-
mental consideration which urges this, but, even
so, it S those sentiments that have a right
to consideration. The placing of reformatory in
the close neighborhood OF a girls college is even
from the social point view, including aesthetic
considerations. not pleasant one We. however.
who are associated with the administration of the
college object on more strenuous grounds. We
believe that there would be a general feeling OF
apprehension that trouble might come oc-
casonaIy from some of these boys who from time
time escape from the institution and IT is TO be
remembered that the institution is TO be upon tha
admirable and excellent cottage plan. which has
other in the reformation and development of these
boys.
Some of US believe very strongly that from time
time-and it is to be remembered that they may be
committed the institution up to The of six
teen-an escaped boy might attack one OF the stu
dents wandering the country our girls do
ought find IT safe TO do. have disposition
exaggerate this matter but the possibility OF
it is enough Vassar College is here. and has been
forty and there is no necessity whatever
the state. looking about for country place for
the development these boys. choose a situation
SO great wonan's college Now. Mr..
Editor why can't the policy be adopted in the state
OF placing its reform and penal institutions in less
conspicuous neighborhoods? Why should the Hud-
River and residential district be chosen for
such a purpose when there are farm lands al some
little distance from town or city that are availa-
bic? And would suppose that IL would be better
for these very boys be located such a dis
tance from the city would make the
geston OF It's influences impossible
Much is made by the advocates OF this bill OF the
location of the House OF Refuge similar institu-
tion Rochester in the neighborhood OF that city.
The school there moved out OF the city. very
wisely both for the city and for the school, but IL
was placed distance of twelve miles from
Rochester | do think that we could Justly
raise an objection Institution twelve miles
from us / should like. however. to note the fact
that IL the proposers OF this bill had OF
Rochester proposed the location OF that school
the end or best avenue there would have been
an outcry that would have prevented the accom-
pshment of such a purpose. and yet the commits
sion has chosen a site precisely analogous TO that
I'm the neighborhood OF Poughkeepsie.
We ask the friends OF Vassar College who feel a
do regarding this matter to use taeir influence
against the bill JAMES NJ TAYLOR
Vassar College. Poughkeepsie. n. Y. Feb 10. 1905