Annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Reform School of the State of New Hampshire, together with the reports of the superintendent and treasurer, 1868, Part 1

Author: New Hampshire. Reform School
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Manchester, NH : State Printer
Number of Pages: 102


USA > New Hampshire > Annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Reform School of the State of New Hampshire, together with the reports of the superintendent and treasurer, 1868 > Part 1


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GEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY


3 1833 01821 5852


GENEALOGY 974.2 N4113R 1874


REPORTS


OF THE


BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT AND TREASURER


OF THE


REFORM SCHOOL


OF THE


STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE TO


HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR,


JUNE SESSION, 1874.


CONCORD : EDWARD A. JENKS, STATE PRINTER. 1874.


REPORTS


OF THE


BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENT AND TREASURER


OF THE


REFORM SCHOOL


OF THE


STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE


TO


HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR,


JUNE SESSION, 1874.


CONCORD : EDWARD A. JENKS, STATE PRINTER. 1874.


OFFICERS.


TRUSTEES. HON. DANIEL MARCY, Portsmouth, President. HON. DANIEL CLARK, Manchester, Secretary. DAVID GILLIS, EsQ., Nashua. D. C. CHURCHILL, EsQ., Lyme. HON. W. P. WHEELER, Keene.


HON. L. P. COOPER, Croydon. A. C. CLEMENT, EsQ., Plaistow.


SUPERINTENDENT. · E. INGHAM.


MATRON. MRS. M. D. INGHAM.


TEACHERS.


MIss A. C. ROGERS, MISS M. E. CHELLIS, Miss C. B. GROW.


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.


To His Excellency the Governor of the State of New Hampshire. and the Honorable Council :


Herewith is submitted the twentieth annual report of the superintendent of the reform school; showing in detail its receipts and its expenditures, its progress and condition, for the year past.


From this it appears that the whole number of pupils during the year has been 149, against 139 last year.


Forty-eight have been admitted and fifty-eight discharged, leaving ninety-one now in the school.


At the end of the last year there were 101 ;- ten less this year.


Of the number discharged, thirty-one went at the end of their sentence; ten were honorably discharged by the trustees for good conduct; ten were placed in homes procured for them by the superintendent ; two were pardoned by the governor and council ; one was sent to his alternate in the state prison ; and four, who escaped, are still at large.


The average time of detention in the school of those dis- charged this year has been two years. Of those discharged last year it was two and a half.


Of these 149 inmates of the institution,


2 were


7 years old,


3 66


8


66


11


66


9


66


10


66


10


CC


66


13


11


16


12


14


13


66 66


23


66


14


66


19


66


15


"


66


36


16


66


66


2


17


66


CC


showing twenty-six of the age of ten years and under, and fifty- five of the age of twelve and under.


6


The nationalities of the inmates were six, viz.,


85


Irish,


47


Americans, French, African,


3


3


English,


1


German.


Of these


67 were committed for their minority,


1 for


7 years.


6


66


5


66


8


4


66


21 “


3


66


17 «


2


26 «


1


66


If the school were a place of punishment and not of reform- ation, it would be severe to confine a young child during his minority for a small offence ; and thus to treat sixty-seven chil- dren would be almost barbarous. But, when it is considered that these children are gathered from the streets and purlieus of vice, and that they are better housed, better clothed, better fed, better taught, and better cared for, many of them, in the school than they were out; that the object of their confinement is to rescue them from evil courses and bad associates ; and that, when- ever fitted to be removed from the school to good homes, they will be discharged by the trustees, the apparent severity dis- appears.


Experience shows it better for the child that the term allowed for his reformation should be long rather than short. As re- marked in the report of last year,-"If sentenced for a short time, he feels that it will soon be over; and, however well he may behave, he will not probably be released until the expira- tion of his sentence; and hence there is no motive for good behavior ;- but if sentenced for a long time, or during his minor- ity, he sees no chance for liberation before the end of his term, unless he behaves well; and he is generally sharp enough to take that course. Besides, it gives time for bad habits to be eradi- cated, and good ones formed, and does not compel the dis-


10


7


charge of the child before it is comparatively safe and proper for him to go. The trustees are always happy to send a pupil from the institution as soon as he is fitted for liberation, and there is a good place for him. The time of detention can thus be fixed, as the good of the child may require."


Of the ninety-one inmates at the school at the close of the year, eighty were boys and eleven girls. All of these boys were instructed in reading; seventy-nine in spelling and writing; sixty-one in geography; forty-six in written arithmetic, fifty- nine in intellectual arithmetic, and fourteen in primary arith- metic; twelve in history. All the girls were instructed in read- ing, spelling, writing, and arithmetic ; nine studied geography.


Frequent visits to the school, during the hours of instruction, have shown that the pupils were well instructed, well disciplined, and generally disposed to learn. There have been marked in- stances of proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic.


As the superintendent says, it is generally remarked that in no school is more rapid progress made; and it is really astonish- ing how readily children of rugged natures and vicious habits yield to teachers who gain their confidence and affection.


Let it be remembered that these ninety or one hundred chil- dren, if outside of the reform school, would most of them at- tend no school, gain no instruction, be subjected to no restrain- ing parental influence, but would wander the streets in idleness and incipient dissipation, and one can begin to appreciate the good such an institution as this may do.


Further than this, these children are all taught to work, and habits of industry are carefully inculcated. Each boy has his daily task ; he is required to do it; he is never allowed to shirk; and, when performing it quickly and well, is commended, and rewarded for extra service.


Last year the earnings in the chair shop were rising $6,200. The superintendent then said, "That the same number of lads can perform more labor in the next or succeeding years is not to be expected." Yet he says this year the earnings at the shop " may be fairly set down at $7,500"-a very handsome gain.


With this work, and this study and training, the pupils have not been denied proper time for recreation and play. It has not been forgotten that they were young and sportive, and should


8


be allowed such indulgences as were proper, healthful, and inno- cent. They are generally cheerful, and many of them evidently happy and contented. Instances are not singular, where, having escaped from the school, they have returned voluntarily, or where they have desired to remain after expiration of sentence.


In their report last year the trustees said-and they repeat it this year-that, however greatly gratified with the earnings of the lads under their charge, they cannot forget that the great aim of the institution should and must be, not to get as many dollars and cents out of the boys as possible, but to fit them to become useful men in society, and to earn a livlihood by some of the many mechanical employments in which men engage.


" Habits of industry may be formed by cane-seating chairs, and such labor may be remunerative, but it does not go to the extent of fully qualifying young lads for the wide world."


" What chance has a boy or man in life who can only bottom a chair, compared with those who can use tools; or with one adept in the various handicrafts in life ?"


" Right here is found the cause of all the failures or want of success in saving the youth committed to its care. They too often go forth to lives of idleness, vagrancy, and crime, satisfac- tory employment being denied them, because they have not the requisite experience or knowledge of it. This ought not so to be."


Why not, then, it may be urged, put him out to learn a trade ? The answer is at hand. Maybe he is not yet to be trusted to go at large. If "put to " a place to learn a trade, the chance is, often, that he will run away the next day. Perhaps no suitable place can be found for him ; for it is not the best persons, al- ways, who are ready to take a child from the reform school. There is a distrust of them, and it is much more difficult than might at first be imagined to find suitable situations for them. The world has no such large philanthropy that it readily takes to its bosom an erring child for the sake of reforming him. Greed will do it for its own ends, but greed is not a good guide for the young. Its ways are devious and selfish.


There should be at the institution some means of meeting this requirement; and the trustees would, through you, earnestly recommend that some appropriation be made by the legis- lature to provide suitable rooms and tools to give the boys


9


such trades as may afford them constant employment and am- ple support in after life.


Further remarks upon this subject, by the superintendent, may be found in his report under the head of earnings, to which attention is invited.


The expenses of the school for the past year have been $22,937.97, including supplies on hand, amounting, by the su- perintendent's estimate, to $1,110.


This is somewhat more than last year ; but the school has been larger, the earnings more, and the balance is a little larger in fa- vor of the institution this year.


Last year it was $4,488.02. This year it is $5,051.58.


The following is a condensed statement of the receipts and expenditures, assets and liabilities, of the institution :


Cash received-


From state treasurer,


$8,000.00


board of inmates,


10,434.48


labor 66


6,253.20


sale of neat stock, etc.,


490.00


sale of old boiler,


360.00


sale of horse,


250.00


note,


182.22


Wilkins fund,


256.51


Kent fund,


450.15


various sources,


488.21


Cash due for board,


2,867.13


for labor,


2,847.42


for horse sold,


300.00


$6,014.55


$33,179.32


Cash paid for current expenses,


$22,937.97


for repairs,


985.45


for chair stock,


3,760.95


$27,684.37


Bills unpaid,


443.87


$28,128.24


Balance in favor of institution,


5,051.08


$27,164.77


10


Looking at the results obtained the past year, the trustees have no hesitation in saying, from their observation and experi- ence, that in no previous year has the school advanced more rapidly, its administration been more satisfactory, or its success more marked. It has steadily gained in favor, and steadily deserved it.


Mingled with this gratification is the regret of the trustees at being obliged to part with the present efficient superintendent and the most excellent matron.


The superintendent goes to a larger field and better pay. The trustees would have gladly retained him, but felt that the sum offered by our sister state of Connecticut was beyond their ability.


Mr. Ingham has been at the school four years, and during all that time its interests have steadily advanced and prospered. He has watched and labored continually for its good, and pro- vided for its wants with great prudence and wise forecast. He has been a good disciplinarian, a faithful instructor, and Chris- tian friend to the pupils committed to his charge.


In all his labors he has been admirably aided by Mrs. Ing- ham ; and to her careful watching and patient nursing, under a kind Providence, it is chiefly owing that in all their four years at the school death has not come nigh their dwelling; nor has there been more than one case of severe sickness,-and that was of heart complaint, showing itself somewhat before the lad entered the school.


The kindest wishes of the trustees and of many a child will follow them to their new employment.


Twenty years have now passed away since the establishment of this school. Sometimes it has been prosperous, and some- times not so much so,-not, indeed, so generally from a fault of the pupils, as from a careless, incompetent, and faithless admin- istration.


But during the twenty years that have passed, enough has been realized and attained to warrant the assertion that it is a noble charity, and well deserving the continued steady support of the state.


Hundreds of children are born into homes where example is bad, and that continually. They may be said to live in an


11


atmosphere of vice. Others lose their parents while young, and there is no one to smooth the rugged way for their tender feet, or withhold them from the paths of wickedness and crime ; and still others are actually taught to beg or steal, to support their parents in intemperance and debauchery.


Such children are more to be pitied than to be blamed. They are the victims of misfortune and cruel circumstances ; and it is wise and Christian for the state to rescue them from the dangers to which they are exposed or into which they fall to place them where proper instruction can be given, good habits formed, and proper restraint exercised, until they come to riper years, or good homes can be obtained for them.


With this end in view the trustees have carefully tried to make the children under their charge feel that the school was a home-a place of education and reform, and not of punishment. They have been incited to do well, rewarded for their success, and made to feel, as much as possible, how much better a good life was than their former evil one.


Of course it must be expected that instances of failure would occur; that not all would be reformed; that bad boys would come to the institution, remain for a time, perhaps behaving well while there, and go away, and fall into evil ways or with bad associ- ates, and fail to make good men.


Yet instances of successful reform are so numerous and marked that no one, following the history of the boys, can fail to see that the institution is doing much good.


DANIEL CLARK,


Secretary of the Board of Trustees.


May 27, 1874.


1


SUPERINTENDENT AND TREASURER'S REPORT.


To His Excellency the Governor, and the Honorable Council, and the Honorable Board of Trustees :


This 20th annual report of the affairs and condition of the State Reform School is herewith submitted, in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the state.


The whole number in the school during the year has been 149; the number received, 48 ; of these, 31 have been discharged at expiration of sentence ; 10 honorably discharged by the trus- tees ; 10 have had homes found for them by the superintendent; 2 have been pardoned by the governor; and one has been sent to his alternate sentence. Four have escaped, leaving 91 in the school. The average time of detention of those discharged was two years.


Of the whole number, 47 are Americans, 85 Irish, 10 French, 3 African, 3 English, 1 German. There were committed by the supreme judicial court, 35; Manchester police court, 56; Pem- broke police court, 2; Dover police court, 5; Nashua police court, 6; Concord police court, 4; Portsmouth police court, 6; North Hampton police court, 1; justices of the peace, 34.


For the term of minority, 67; 7 years, 1; 6 years, 2 ; 5 years 7; 4 years, 8; 3 years, 21; 2 years, 17; 1 year, 26.


For the offence of stealing, 64; firing buildings, 2; house breaking, 25; night walking, 1; stubbornness, 25; idleness or vagrancy, 2; throwing stones, 2; forgery, 1; truancy, 11; drunkenness, 1; assault, 1.


At the age of 7 years, 2; 8 years, 3; 9 years, 11; 10 years, 10; 11 years, 13; 12 years, 16; 13 years, 14; 14 years, 23; 15 years, 19; 16 years, 36; 17 years, 2.


14


BOYS' SCHOOL.


Number under instruction at the beginning of the year, 89; came under during the year, 43; whole number, 132; number who have left during the year, 53 ;- leaving in school May 1st, 1874, 80.


PRESENT STANDING.


Reading.


Geography.


In Primer,


2


Second Reader,


8


Third Reader,


27


Fourth Reader,


23


Fifth Reader,


20


Arithmetic.


Walton's Written Arithme-


Spelling,


79


tic, 46


Writing,


79


Walton's Intermediate Arith- metic, 59


History.


United States History,


12


Walton's Primary Arithme-


tic, 14


GIRLS' SCHOOL.


Number under instruction at the commencement of the year, 12; came under during the year, 6; whole number, 18 ; number who have left, 7; in school May 1st, 1874, 11.


PRESENT STANDING.


Reading.


Arithmetic.


In Third Reader,


3


Walton's Written, 9


In Fifth Reader,


8


Walton's Intermediate, 11


In Spelling,


11


Warren's Common School


Writing,


11


Geography, 9


MENTAL AND MORAL CONDITION.


It is generally conceded, and I believe it to be true, that in no school is there more rapid progress made than in this. In the early part of the year we were unfortunate in obtaining teachers adapted to the work, and feared for the result; but finally we were successful, and the intellectual standing of the school is, I may safely say, fully up to the former standing. No


Warren's Common School


Geography, 30


Warren's Primary Geogra- phy, 31


15


child remains here any length of time without learning to read and write, and all other branches necessary for the ordinary business of life are taught, and a knowledge of them to a great- er or less extent obtained.


No thoughtful person would expect to find a nice sense of moral apprehension pervading such a company of children as the law sends hither,-a large majority of whom are especially unfortunate in blood, birth, and training. But I am happy to report favorably of their progress in the right direction, under restraint and instruction. And here I desire to suggest that it sometimes occurs that boys are received, that, by nature and practice, are too wicked to associate with the younger and more hopeful, doing more harm than they receive good.


SANITARY.


Good health has prevailed throughout the year, only one case of severe sickness having occurred, and that, heart disease, from which the lad had suffered before coming here ;- no deaths, no epidemie, and very little sickness in the institution since my connection with it, which is attributable mainly to a healthful lo- cation, cleanliness, good ventilation, plain food, and regular hab- its of eating, sleeping, and exercise.


EARNINGS.


The gross earnings at chair-seating may be set down at $7,500. The panic of last autumn so paralyzed the chair business that we were unable to obtain as much work as we could do,-to supply which, I have purchased chair frames and cane, involving an in- vestment of $3,760.95 ; and we have on hand 26,440 seats ready for market, and hope to make sale of them soon at a price which will show quite as good profit to the institution as to have worked the boys on contract. In this connection I should be. remiss in duty not to refer to the " oft-told tale," that these boys should be taught to work at something at which they may find employment and earn an honest living when they go from here. It is objected that it is impracticable to introduce into the in- stitution mechanical arts so as to afford an opportunity for the boys to become skilled in them. "It would not pay," say the objectors. But manufacturing does pay elsewhere, even after employing and paying boys of no more capacity than these.


16


Indeed, the "pay-bills" are the larger items in many of the manufacturing establishments of our country. Let us see. In the year just passed 75,000 chair frames have been used in this insti- tution, the value of which at current prices is $6,475. The value of the stock used may be fairly set down at $2,225, leaving $4,250 for the labor and use of machinery in manufacturing them, which labor might have been performed by our boys as well had the power and machinery been provided at a cost of about $4,000, which would be a permanent and lasting invest- ment, from which the same results may be obtained for a series of years.


Again : it is probably true that fifty of these boys are of suffi- cient size and age to earn an average of one dollar per day in the mills or other manufacturing establishments,-which would, in one year of 300 working days, amount to $15,000. But from this deduct one half, for their time for school and recreation, and we have $7,500, which these fifty might have earned here if the chance were offered them, while the rest and smaller boys could have earned nearly half as much more, thus making the sum total $10,000 instead of the sum now reported.


Thus a fair business is ciphered out, without taking into account the vast advantage to the boys of working with tools and machinery, in fitting them to find employment and earn an honest living.


In the girl's department this want is met, inasmuch as the ordinary work of the house requires their labor. To make and repair their own and the boys' clothing, together with the house- work, affords ample employment for the few girls committed, and they all go out knowing how to do such work as is required in all families, and able to earn, cut, and make their own clothing.


EXPENSES.


The reported ordinary expenses of the year are $22,937.97, including $1,110 paid for supplies bought at panic prices last autumn, in anticipation of future wants ; and the expenses of the next year may be reduced by so much. For repairs and per- manent improvements, such as enlarging the boys' yard, raising and shingling the barn and building a new one, $985.45 has been expended. The financial condition and future plans for the


17


institution are such that no special appropriation will be needed, unless the introduction of machinery and increased facilities shall be ordered.


FARM AND STOCK.


The farm continues to develop favorably, and may ultimately, and at no distant day, be made a source of profit, as it is now of convenience to the institution, and of just pride to the state. The repairs and improvements contemplated will, early in the present year, be completed, and thereafter the land should re- ceive the most careful attention of the superintendent and his associates.


The neat stock is increasing in numbers and quality, and is greatly admired by visitors. The remark is often volunteered that it is the best herd in the state, which, if true, commends it to the consideration of stock breeders, for the celerity and cheapness with which a fine and valuable herd can be raised,-it being less than four years since the first lot of three animals was brought here, at a cost of only $315; and from them has chiefly come the excellence that is seen and commended.


Sales are being made, from time to time, of the male thorough- breds at remunerative prices, so that all investments will soon have been reimbursed, while the liberal supply of milk obtained from the cows conduces largely to the better feeding of the in- mates of the institution. The products of the farm were,-


6 tons corn fodder,


$50.00


40 tons hay,


800.00


200 bushels corn,


160.00


100 bushels barley,


75.00


400 bushels potatoes,


300.00


130 bushels turnips,


65.00


175 bushels beets,


87.50


500 heads cabbage,


30.00


2500 pounds pork slaughtered,


200.00


Milk and butter,


500.00


Neat stock sold,


1.


200.00


Pigs sold,


290.00


$2,757.00


2


18


INVENTORY OF PROPERTY.


OFFICE AND LIBRARY.


Safe,


$150.00


Tables and chairs,


20.00


Sofas,


20.00


Desks,


25.00


Library books,


100.00


Clock,


15.00


Books, stationery, and stamps,


15.00


Flower-stand and plants,


20.00


$365.00


RECEPTION ROOM AND GUEST-CHAMBER.


Carpet and curtains,


$30.00


Centre and side tables,


25.00


Sofas and chairs,


50.00


2 sets chamber furniture,


40.00


Bedding,


50.00


Chamber carpet,


25.00


Stove and fixtures,


15.00


$235.00


SCHOOL-ROOMS.


29 settees,


$100.00


99 double desks and chairs,


225.00


Blackboards,


25.00


Clock and teachers' desks,


35.00


School books, slates, &c.,


50.00


Lamps and hangings,


5.00


House plants,


10.00


Bookcase,


8.00


Cabinet organ,


175.00


$633.00


OFFICERS' ROOMS AND HOSPITAL.


Bedsteads, beds, and bedding,


$200.00


6 wardrobes,


48.00


Furniture,


75.00


Fire extinguisher,


50.00


$373.00


19


GIRLS' SEWING-ROOM.


Work-table,


$2.00


Chairs,


5.00


Buttons, needles, and thread,


10.00


Cloth on hand,


500.00


Boys' clothing,


100.00


100 shirts,


50.00


2 sewing machines,


100.00


Girls' clothing,


50.00


Lamps, &c.,


2.00


$319.00


CHILDREN'S COOK-ROOM AND HALL.


Cooking-stove and furniture,


$10.00


Crockery,


10.00


Tin ware,


2.00


Knives and forks,


5.00


Iron ware,


10.00


Clock, bread-trough, and tables,


12.00


100 stools,


100.00


11 tables,


40.00


2 movable closets,


14.00


Lamps and hangings,


2.00


$205.00


SLEEPING-HALLS.


Bedsteads and bedding,


$400.00


FAMILY COOK-ROOM, DINING-ROOM, AND PANTRY.


Cooking-stove and furniture,


$110.00


Crockery, glass, tin, and wooden ware,


40.00


Knives, forks, and spoons,


30.00


Dining-tables and chairs,


50.00


Tables and closets,


20.00


Refrigerators,


35.00


$285.00


WORK-SHOPS.


Work-stands,


$175.00


Work-tables,


5.00


Clock,


5.00


$18500


20


LAUNDRY.


Pails, tubs, washboards, &c.,


$10.00


Rinsing tanks,


10.00


30 sets drying bars,


30.00


Flat-irons and stands,


10.00


Laundry stove,


18.00


Soap,


125.00


2 wringers,


10.00


$213.00


GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS.


20 barrels of flour,


$160.00


50 gallons of kerosene,


7.50


100 gallons of vinegar,


30.00


100 gallons of molasses,


35.00


50 bushels of potatoes,


40.00


50 pounds of hard soap,


4.00


Salt, pepper, sugar, and spices,


30.00


$306.50


SHOE-SHOP.


Shoes,


$100.00


Leather and findings,


50.00


Lasts and tools,


25.00


Benches,


2.00


$177.00


HAY, WOOD, &C.


12 tons of hay,


$300.00


100 cords of wood,


500.00


$800.00


LIVE STOCK.




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