Reform School Notes

From the Lansiiii; liepubliian. The State Reform School haa Lor severa! years ranked as tlie mode) institution oí Michigan tor eleanlinefls, good order, and the general liealtli ol' the inmates, altliough the board of control and ita otlieers have, had a greatdeal to contend with in the lack of room, défective ventilation, and heating apparatns, and a scarcity of means with which to remidy these evils. Recognizing these facts, the legislature made liberal appropriations atits last session, and the board at once entered upon a series of much needed improvements, which will add no less to the comfort and health of the inmates than to the appearance of the buildings and grounds. The interior of tlie main building is receiving a coat of pain t, and the offices and halls on the tirst Hoor will receive new carpets. The picture and reading rooms on tliis Hoor have, been newiy papered, and the old seats in the school-rooms are being replaced with the new patent school-desks. The old "lodge," once the terror of the boys, has been converted into a very comfortable shoe-shop. The dorniitories and corridors in the third story have been thoroughly cleaned and painted, the old ragged piaster ceilings removed, and matched ceiling put in their stead. The corridors will also be carpeted. There lias been an entire remodeliner of the steam-heating apparatus, radiators being placed in all the principal rooms, and so arranged that the steani may be cut off from ,:uiy one room, and heat applied vvhereever needed, thus rnaking a great saving in the matter of fuel alone. The l.eeds system of ventilation, consisting of a coü ïnüic ohMft, will be introduced into tlie school-rooms and dormitarles. The front windows of the main building have been supplied with canvas awnings, which not only improve the general appearance, but aid materially in kee])ing the rooms cool. Twobeautiful bron.e fountains costing $;;oohave also been purchased, and will be set, one in the playground, and the other on the lawn in front. The out-buildings also bear the marks of renovation, the bain and piggery having been painted and placed in repair. The lawns are beautifullykept, while the single rail ing (similar to that around the capítol . grounds) which separate the grounds from the street is a great iinprovement on the old paling which is replaced. The cane shops have been increased in number, there now being three, employing 250 boys. Within the past five months three shops have turned out $9,000 worth of work, but the proflts are so slight that it amounts to luit little as a revenue. lts chief beneiit is a means of discipline and furnishing useful labor for the boys. There are at present 861 boys in the school, four having already been received during the present month, and not a single case of sickness. The hospital is used less than any department in the institution. The foundation for the new cottage is finished and brick-laying will commence next week. The building will be larger than those already erected. It is to be 48 by 50 feet, three stories high, and will present a more ornamental appearance than the others. The military drill has become an important feature, and it is stated on excellent authority, that these boys cannot be excelled in movement by any military organization in the state. Extensive arrangements were in pro.ui "ss for the usual observance of the mal holiday, a nipjic riinnar mul .i,., ;,! iiie evenini"' constituting important features of the programme. With such surroundings, and the quiet, kind, but lirm restraints thrown around these boys, it is not tobe wondered at that the record of escapes is smaller than in any other similar inj stitution in this country, while they are allowed much more freedom. They are simply placed on their honor and treated likeboys, - not as crimináis. They have been given the comfort of a home, the priviliges of education, habits of intelligent industry, and instead of brutal task-masters, they reeognize in each oflicer a pleasant associate, an able instructor, and an unfailing friend. Through these inlluences they have been humanized. They love their home, and boys nevpr run away from a pleasant home.