The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-05-15
THE MARIANA SCHOOL

DR.. McClane, superintendent of the |
Mariana school, sends US a copy of
the Mariana Times-Courier, which |
looks good to US, because it tells Of
at the school, and also
of interest being taken in the school
by the people of the town.
We congratulate the editor of the
Times Courier, and assure him that in
looking after the school he is per-
forming a public duty that should be
pleasant to him. Now, we hope he
will try to awaken the people of his
town to realization of the fact that
the school is a trust reposed in their
community, and it is their duty and
should be their pleasure to look after
it. If they will take in the boys
school the same interest that the peo-
pie of Ocala take in the girls school,
there never will be any danger that
abuses of the past will be repeated.
Following is the Times-Courier's ar
ticle:
Industrial School for Boys
Efficiency is the watchword at this
state institution today. Too much has
been said already of its past, so we
are going TO give our readers
glimpse into present conditions there,
also of its future possibilities.
1t was our great pleasure last week
to visit the Industrial school and sur
prise them by spending the day and
partaking of a good, substantial meal
with the boys. We found everything
in excellent condition with repairs on
buildings being rushed to completion.
The finishing touch was being given
the new dining room for the officers.
Around two sides and one end are
double screened windows and we can
not speak too highly of the sanitary
conditions in every branch of this in
stitution.
There are either four or six hun
dred acres in cultivation. Fifteen
acres of this is planted to garden
truck. Two large concrete silos stand
in near view and a water tower suf-
ficient to supply a small town. The
brick kiln being manned by the
hearty robust boys was being filled
with new made brick ready for the
process of burning. Every boy has
his job and is on it. We did not see
but one boy who was ailing and some
one said he had eaten too much, but
we do not blame him, for everything
and everybody was so nice we came
near being foundered ourself.
The discipline and department at
this institution cannot be surpassed
The boys respect their officers and
they receive good treatment in return
They are trained into skilled work
men, they are given thorough Eng.
lish and commercial course and are
taught the latest system of shorthand
by competent teachers. The military
drilling and physical exercises by the
instructor, Lieut.. Gerard is some
thing wonderful. He has just recent
ly returned from the army and in {
few weeks time has trained and de
lveloped these seventy boys into mill
tary and athletic efficiency and wher
Lieut.. Gerard gives command it i!
executed right now.
DR.. Frank E. McClane, superintend
ent, aside from his busy routine offic,
work through the day, instructs thu
boys at the assembly hall each eve
ming beginning at o'clock in voca
and instrumental music, for you know
we all like music. The poet has truth
fully said "He that hath not music il
his soul is fit for strategy and spoil
Another has said, Emusic hath charm
to soothe the savage ear" or breast
And we say, that it has an elevating
refining effect and brings US closer t,
our ideals. DR.. McClane has anon,
other things in his budget asked tn
Florida legislature for an appropria
ton to equip the institute with new
, musical instruments for the boys an,
we hope that his request will b
granted. Mrs. McClane, wife of tn
superintendent, is matron at No. ]
and were we an artist capable o
painting the myriad tints of the rain
bow, we could not illustrate all he
duties and accomplishments. You vii
: have to go and see for yourselves.
: Prof. Mercer has charge of tn
school at No. 1. He is untiring in hi
efforts to advance the boys in thei
studies and they are making goo
progress. They are so cramped 70
space that the teacher has to stan
for there isn't room for a chair. The
must have larger quarters for
school room.
We are proud to say that thes
r boys are on the upward road to tru
worthwhile manhood. They are beini
: fitted for a useful life, an independ
= met life There are MANY hoys vet i
our state who would be far better OF
if they were sent to the Florida In
dustrial School for an education.
Time, space and numerous othe
things present us from writing NOR
fully on this subject. We haven't eve
mentioned the electric light plant, tn
dairy, the well manipulated bakery
the pumping station. We haven't sal
one word about the colored depart
II Il