The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-04

err enforcement of the law, the system,
believe, is beneficial and helpful an,
should be extended and enlarged as con
ditions would seem to merit. The EN-
ployment of the prisoners after releas,
is very essential, and some system of OBJ
tanning positions for these men as they
leave the prison would be a great help.
Industrial School.
During my administration / have
been very much interested in the indus
trial school. 1t is the most useful insti
tuition of its class we have, and because
of its wide range of usefulness the at
tendance has been increased and many
boys and girls are sent there that ought
to be in some institution for homeless
children. Many are committed on the
slightest provocation, either because they
have no home or because responsibility
has been disregarded. Separation of the
children with criminal tendencies from
those of the mere homeless class is very
important and should receive careful
consideration.
"The work done in the school is to be
commended. The children are kept EN-.
| ployed under very carefully planned
discipline. The day is divided into hours
for work, school and play, with much
attention to the training of the morals
of the children in the right directions
Encouragement along educational lines is
an important feature. and under spe-
cial arrangement there are now ID of the
larger boys and girls from the institu
ton attending the high school at Yer
gennes, with determination on the part
of some of them to enter college upon
their release. This work has strong
tendency towards the development of a
healthy and wholesome course for every
child that is committed there,
"The hospital building has proved
very important acquisition to the school,
and the state is indebted for its equip
ment to Judge and Mrs. Weeks. who
have always taken deep personal in
terest in the school and its development
School for Feeble Minded.
"The appropriation of $4,000 made by
the legislature of 1912, for the establish
ment and equipment of school
for the feeble minded was deemed
by the trustees to be inadequate
for the purpose, and not being able
to decide upon location out of the
several properties offered, they brought
the matter TO the attention of the legis
lature Of 1915, which increased the appro-
priation to $4,000. The Chase stock |
farm of Brandon was agreed upon as a !
suitable location and was purchased for |
$4,000 About $1,000 was expended in
and repairing the two houses !
and other buildings, installing heating |
plant, new plumbing for the water sys-
tenn electric wiring for the buildings, and |
in furnishing and equipping them max
ing accommodations for the superinten
dent and family, attendants, and 40
children.
"The $1,000 expenditure also covered
he cost of remodeling the cow stable,
putting in new cement floor and stan
'hion equipment for 25 head of cattle,
ind reconstructing another building to
,e used as temporary laundry, making
/ total outlay for farm, repairs and
equipment of buildings of $4,000. An
dea OF the yaule 70 the purchase may
De had from the fact that the insurance
appraised the buildings for
Insurance at little over 5000.
"A very satisfactory arrangement was
inferred into with the village of Brandon
o extend the four-inch water main to
he farm and supply the buildings with
II the water needed for domestic and
ire purposes.
"A contract was entered into for a new !
ormitory to cost, complete, including
umbing, heating and lighting, about
$4,000; this, with an expenditure of G
round $4,000 to $4,000 for water sup O
ly, sewer system, equipment and fur !
ishings of new dormitory, temporary .
itehen and equipment, will make a total q
Expenditure of about $4,000 of the $685. I
90 appropriated, furnishing accommo- !
ations for 10 children at per capita I
,st of about $500 each. !
"In order TO provide accommodations u
Or the children already in sight to be u
,red for by the institution, and to pro- G
ide separate quarters for boys and girls, o
will be necessary to build another dor +
itory the size of the one already being :,
nilt, central heating plant, laundry u
nd service building.
Il am satisfied that the plan of devel-
oment adopted by the trustees is adj 4
irably adapted to the conditions; that =
re results obtained to date are very !
Itisfactory, and that the per capita cost
J the state, when the plant is completed,
i'll be considerably lower than that of 81
ost institutions of similar character in
her states. 81
1.-THE superintendent, DR.. Russell, with ~
ven years experience under Or. Fer
I'D in the management of the school 90
r the Predetermined at Waverly, Mass,
mes to his task at Brandon with the
st of recommendations and an expert "a,
zee that fits him admirably for the in
SIX he has assumed. A
"The problem of caring for our feeble n
inded children is a serious one. The ~
ate has not been slow to recognize its r
ty in this matter and has contracted -
r their care in institutions in Massa- -,
usetts and other states, until those in
buttons have served notice on us that Il,
ey were overcrowded, and that our a,
ildren should be removed as soon as 60
ssible. We have already brought back az
I'm those institutions 33 children, and 40
We only seven left at Waverly, Mass, 20
10 will be brought TO Brandon as soon bo
the new dormitory is completed. IN
Institutional care and treatment an
ms to be the best solution of the re
Dblem yet discovered and is in the line hi
true progress. The trustees in locat-
: the institution on this large farm in !
4 Il 4