Evening journal., 1909-09-11

condition and were very much shocked;
one OF them said plainly 20 the ofiicer
that had he arrived on the scene a little
sooner he would have given him
taste OF his own medicine. IL was
one Of these young men that the run
away asked 10 carry a message to his
people in Wilmington. but he found that
they had moved from the address given
him.
Judge Cochran ought to be compli-
monted on the stand he Is taking
against sending children to the Ferris
school, il this is a sample of the treat
ment the boys receive. He is but us
/ ing his powers in the cause OF hu-
manity and I wish him all success I'm
getting 10 the bottom OF things, and
reforming the Reform School.
Il am willing 10 back up this state
ment with the names OF all parties con-
cerned, to anyone who is Interested,
or TO aid in having things put before
the public in their proper light
Mrs. NJ G.. Ford"
"On Tuesday. the last day OF August,
Mr.. Handy's Letter.
Former Congressman Handy's letter
TO former Governor Lea is as follows:
Wilmington, Del, Sept, TO- 1909
"Hon. Preston Lea,
president Of the Board Of Managers Of
the Ferris Industrial School.
Dear sir:-1 fear there is something
wrong with the Ferris Industrial School.
/ do not think anything Is wrong In the
purpose and intent Of the Board OF Man
ayers The character Of yourself and fol-
low members forblds a thought that you
desire anything except to do the very
best for the Improvement Of the boys com
mitted TO the custody Of the school. and
to do Il kindly. But in the course OF my
law practice 80 much definite and appar-
entity woll-founded complaint comes to me
concerning the treatment which boys un-
dorgo in your school that. am forced TO
believe your employees do many things
which your board does not know, many
things which no board animated with a
sense Of mercy and justice would tolerate
for a moment.
''The Legislature OF Delaware and the
courts OF the state have put great trust
in the hands Of your board. Under our
statutes and court decisions Il Is very
easy for New Caste county boy TO be
committed to your custody, and once fair
I ~ settled there he must abandon an hope
( for the rest Of his minority except a hope
that the Ferris Industrial School will be
merciful and Just and good to him.
III half OF the information which has
been forced upon me Is true. your institu-
tion is az present prison instead Of
school; a place Of punishment instead Of
a place Of reform and cducation a place
where brutal cruelty reigns Instead Of cor
rective kindness, a child trap instead OF
charity.
Il believe that neither your board nor
the people Of Delaware are willing that
the boys committed TO your school should
continue TO dwell under the terror and
cruelty which according to the irforma-
tion-I have received now hang over them
and darken their lives. In that belief
write this letter. hoping that IL may be
read by your members and by the general
/ public. and may lead 20 a genuine and
lasting reform In the methods employed
IN the Ferris Industrial School
Tells Of Complaints.
"This letter shall not generalzc. Com.
plants which pour into lawyers office
are always specific and so into details. II
Is true that most OF the parents who com,
are afraid to have their names given un-
less they are sure Of getting their boys
out Of the Institution. They say with one
accord that any complaint on their part
will be visited hN the officers OF the school
In brutal vengeance on their sons stiil in
/ custody II there Is one parent with son
in the Ferris Industrial School who has
particle OF faith IN the justice and fair
ness Of the employees OF your board have
yet 70 ind him. Hence / am not free TO
give you all Of the details and specific in
stances on which my judgment OF the silt
uatfon rests. But 7 can give enough IN that
line 10 justify my suggestion that there IS
something wrong with the Ferris Indus
] trial School.
ITO be specific I am informed that
Hazel Lane. about nine months ago. at
that time an inmate OF your school, but
now discharged or out on parole. was
beaten by an employe named Boyer while
your superintendent. MIR. Stewart. stood
over him. He was compelled to stoop over
with hands and feet on the ground. Tn,
beating was inflicted with sash cord
doubled so as TO make seven lashes. The
boy thus beaten was given one hundred
blows. Such beating seems to my mind
20 be atrocious
Subsequent 10 this beating Lanes fee
#, were shackled and we're kept shack ed con
tinuously day and night the shaclSles be
\ ing removed only long enough for him L,
e undress az night and again removed fo
r him 10 dress In the morning In thi