Subsequently the legislature at its last session also passed an act authorizing the managers of the State Reform School to purchase of John Hodgson two hundred and one acres of land in the town of Pewaukee, in Waukesha county, at a price not to exceed forty-five dollars per acre, if in their judgment the interest of the State and the Reform School would be promoted thereby. In case said purchase could not or should not be made the law authorized the purchase of other lands in Waukesha county, for the use of the Reform School, at a price not to exceed seventy-five dollars per acre, and further authorized the sale of the land belonging to the State on which the school buildings were erected. Under and by virtue of this act the managers visited the lands of Mr. Hodg son, in Pewaukee, referred to in the act, but ascertained that he was unwilling to sell at forty-five dollars per acre, the highest price fixed by the act, and the purchase could not therefore be made. The managers then entered into negotiations with various parties and published notices, as the act directed, seeking by every means in their power to accomplish what the legislature intended, the best good of the institution under their charge. After considerable time and effort had been spent, we succeeded in purchasing 120 acres of land within 160 rods of the land already owned by the State for the sum of $7,500, appropriated for that purpose, and considerably less per acre than the highest price authorized by the legislature. We regard the purchase as very satisfactory with reference to locality quality and price. The board of managers did not receive any propositions from any quarter to give the State any land for any purpose connected with the Reform School, nor did they deem it for the interest of the State or the institution to sell any of the lands already owned by the State. In locating the new buildings, they have sought to remedy as far as it was in their power the objections to the former location. It was found that the material in the old building was of considerable value if it could be used within a reasonable distance, and that a better elevation, with greatly improved drainage, could be secured by erecting the new buildings southwesterly of the old on the land then owned by the State and within reach of the material of the main building. A detailed statement of the history, condition and progress of the buildings will be furnished the legislature at the opening of the session. The destruction of the main building of our institution by fire in January last, while it was a great incoavenience to the inmates and an additional tax on the people to erect new buildings, will we believe prove in the end no loss to the State. The burnt building was not well adapted to the wants of such an institution, and was in our opinion very defective for the purposes intended. During the summer of 1865, a meeting of superintendents of the various reformatory institutions of the United States was called to be holden in Boston, Mass., which was very largely attended by not only superintendents of reformatories but by many benevolent individuals, who were interested in the work. All good men should have at heart to reform the wicked and turn back the erring. At that meeting the whole subject of reformatories, buildings, discipline, location, the family and congregate systems were fully discussed, and a very large preponderance of the testimony was in favor of the fam ily system as most conducive to the welfare of those sought to be benefitted by institutions of this kind, and we deemed it our duty, in view of these facts and the great progress that had been made in reformatories during the past six years, to seek such information as was within our reach in relation to the new buildings to be erected, George W. Perkins, Superintendent of the Chicago Reform School, was present and took part in the proceedings of the Boston meeting. Mr. Perkins is justly looked upon as one of the most efficient and successful managers of reformatories, of which our country, second to none in the world, can boast; and it was unanimously agreed at our first meeting after the fire to visit the Ceicago Reform School, in a body, and avail ourselves of the advice of Mr. Perkins, and at the same time witness the workings of the institution under his charge. Some of our number wero not favorably inelined to the family system on going there, but all left with the belief that it was the best, and we resolved to adopt it. A detailed statement of the reasons that determined our course was prepared and presented during the session of the legislature, and before the report of the committee that visited the institution had been submitted, with the view of having the same presented with their report for the action of the legisla ture, if they saw fit, but for some cause to us unknown, said report was not brought before the legislature. When a proper allowance is made for the change in the Superintendent, the burning of the main building at that inclement season by one of the inmates, inducing insubordination while taking away every means of control, compelling the Superintendent to find homes for those who by reason of their sex or physical condition could not be kept here, and crowding almost beyond endurance those who could not be otherwise disposed of; when all these things are considered and many others which could be mentioned, we think we are justified in saying that the present condition of the institution in point of numbers, health, progress in reformation, discipline, the number of escapes, indeed in every point of view presented to us, is abundantly satisfactory and encouraging; reflecting credit upon the Superintendent and his subordinates. We publish for the information and convenience of officers and the public, the law and regulations concerning the admission and management of inmates. EDWARD O'NEILL, JOHN HODGSON, ANDREW E. ELMORE, CHARLES R. GIBBS, WAUKESHA, Oct. 9, 1866. Managers. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT. OFFICE OF SUP'T STATE REFORM SCHOOL, To the honorable Board of Managers: GENTLEMEN:-As required by law governing this institution, I have the honor to present you my Annual Report, for the year ending October 9th, 1866. Boys. Gils. Total. Whole number of inmates in School since opening, July 25th, 1860........... 340 60 400 Number in School during year..... Numbor remaining in School Oct. 9th, 1866..... No. unconditionally discharged, returned to parents on Ticket of Leave, sent out to places on..............do............................................................................................................................................... The number committed each month is as follows: October,............1865,............................................... 118 16 47 None were committed during the months of January and February on account of our lack of room to care for them. For the same reason the commitments during the last seven months of the year have been much less than they would otherwise have been. It is a source of deep regret to those who have the charge of this Institution, that many children who should be committed for vagrancy or incorrigibility, are allowed to run at large until by idleness and bad associations they are led into crime. They are then arrested, thrown into prison, in company often with old and hardened criminals, from whom they learn more evil in a few weeks than they have ever known before. In this we have only been relieving the county jails, while scores of children are hurrying on in their ruinous courses, without check or restraint. The State can better afford to educate boys in the Reform School than support men in the State Prison. Far better would it be for those who have started in the downward road to be arrested and placed under reformatory influences before they mature in crime, and before the disgrace attendant upon crime is attached to their character. I am thoroughly convinced that had those who have been committed at the age of twelve and upwards been sent to the Reform School as soon as it became evident that they were not manageable elsewhere, more than half of them would now be discharged from the School, and be pursuing lives of honesty and uprightness. |