THE LAWS. BY-LAWS 
AND 
ORGANIZATION 
OF THE 
REFORM SCHOOL 
OF 
OF COLUMBIA. 
MAY, 
WASHINGTON : 
H. POLKINHORN & Co., PRINTERS. 
187O. OFFICERS. 
Board of Trustees 
NATHAN SARGENT, 
HENRY D. COOKE, 
Rev. B. F. WIGGETT, 
RICHARD WALLACH, 
HENRY A. BREWSTER, 
De VERE BURR, 
WILLIAM B. TODD. 
President : NATHAN SARGENT. 
Secretary: De VERE BURR. 
Treasurer: HENRY D. COOKE. 
Superintendent: GEORGE E. HOWE. 
Ass't Supt. and Manager: F. W. HOWE, 
Matron: Mrs. F. W. HOWE. THE REFORM SCHOOL 
OF THE 
DISTBIOT OF 
This Institution was created by Act of Congress ap- 
proved 25th July, 1866, under the title of the House of 
Correction. Its designation was, however, changed by 
a supplementary act approved 6th May, 1870, to that of 
" The Reform School of the District of Columbia." It 
is located on the " Government Farm," situated about half 
a mile from the Potomac river, four miles northwest from 
Georgetown. The location is beautiful, picturesque, and 
healthy. 
The Institution grew out of a former one, designated 
" The Guardian Society," incorporated by Act of Con- 
gress approved July 1st, 1862. That Society raised some 
live or six thousand dollars through the liberality of a few 
citizens and banking institutions of Washington, obtained 
a large building in 1865 erected near the city as a hospital 
during the rebellion, removed it to its present locality, and 
re-erected it where it now stands. But their funds being 
exhausted, the act first mentioned was passed, incorporat- 
ing the Trustees of the House of Correction, and appro- 
priating twelve thousand dollars for the benefit of the In- 
stitution. This, however, only sufficed to prepare the 
building for the reception of boys, leaving no adequate 
funds with which to carry on the Institution. 
No further appropriation having been made down to 
May 1870, and the former one being nearly exhausted, 6 
the Board of Directors were unable to put the Institution 
in operation. The present Board, however, deemed it ad- 
visable, last autumn, to organize the School by appointing 
a Superintendent, and receiving a small number of boys 
sent to the Institution by the criminal court, relying upon 
Congress to make such appropriation as would enable 
them to carry it on. 
In this they have not been disappointed, and the Board 
of Trustees now confidently hope to make the Reform 
School, so much needed in this District, a model Institu- 
tion, and as useful as it is admitted to be necessary. The 
Board have been fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. 
George E. Howe, Superintendent of the State Reform 
School of Ohio, one of the most successful institutions, un- 
der his management, in the United States, to supervise, by 
occasional visits, the Institution under their charge; a 
brother of Mr. Howe, Mr. F. W. Howe, who has had 
much experience in the Ohio State Reform School, having 
been employed as assistant superintendent and manager 
of the school and farm, and his wife as matron 
The system adopted for this Institution is that of the 
Reform School of Ohio, namely, the "family plan." "In 
Germany and France, through the influence and self-sac- 
rificing labors of Dr. Wicheren and others, the " family 
plan" was originated and generally adopted in reclaiming 
wayward, degraded, and criminal youth. They wisely 
and humanely provided for juvenile delinquents a safe, 
good home, and not a gloomy and cheerless prison, and 
the most wonderful results, in the work of reformation 
and preparation for the duties of life were achieved." 
The boys in this School are treated as inmates of a fam- 
ily; are governed by the law of kindness and not by the 
rod of power; are made to feel that they are trusted; that 
those having charge of them are their friends, whose only 
object is to promote their best interests and happiness. 7 
Speaking of this system, Mr. Howe, Superintendent of the 
Ohio School, in his last annual report, says : "Our boys, 
arriving in charge of officers, greet a quiet village of large 
and substantial farm houses, green lawns beautified with 
evergreens, fields, orchards, vineyards, and gardens. This 
introduction to their future home produces the most de- 
sirable impressions on their minds. The dread of finding 
walls and iron bolts, of narrow cells and prison life, is at 
once removed. A pleasant home and a kind welcome 
touches the heart of the new comer in the right place, and 
the conditions of reformation are understood, accepted, and 
appreciated. Here is the high vantage ground on which 
we begin the work of saving these wretched boys. We 
and they feel its magic power, and mutual confidence is 
inspired and established." 
There are sixteen boys now in the school; with these 
Mr. Howe has, since the 1st of May, fenced in a consider- 
able portion of the farm, ploughed and planted twenty 
acres, besides making a garden; and it is found that 
they work cheerfully, willingly, and diligently. They are 
well fed, well clothed, have comfortable beds, and are 
made to realize that they have a good home-such a home 
as probably most of them never had before. Thus pro- 
vided and cared for, they are open to moral and religious 
influences, and these are not omitted by the Superinten- 
dent-education and moral and religious instruction being 
prominent parts of the reformatory system here adopted. 
Employment being one of the most effectual means of 
reform, without which, indeed, no permanent reform could 
be effected either in boys or men, a large portion of the 
time of the boys is occupied by labor suitable to their age. 
It is intended to make this labor not only profitable, but 
agreeable, and to inspire the boys with a proper sense of 
the propriety and importance of every one performing his 
share of labor. 8 
As the Trustees have possession of the Government 
farm, except the small portion needed for the aqueduct, it 
is their intention that the boys shall be taught and em- 
ployed in farming, horticulture, and fruit culture, during 
the spring, summer, and fall months, and in various me- 
chanical branches during the winter season. 
The attention of the Judges of the Supreme Court of 
the District of Columbia, the District Attorney, the Mayors 
of Washington and Georgetown, the Levy Court, Police 
Commissioners and Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, 
parents, and guardians, in the District of Columbia, is re- 
spectfully called to the laws establishing this school, and to 
the By-Laws adopted by the Board of Trustees. 
It is hoped that large class of boys whose home has been 
the street, and that other class whose refractory disposi- 
tions their parents or guardians have been unable to sub- 
due, and who are growing up in idleness and general bad 
habits, will soon find their way to the School of lieform, 
which will receive them, not with frowns, accusations, and 
threats of punishment, but with open arms, kind words, 
and cheerful countenance. 
On behalf of the Board of Trustees: 
N. SARGENT, President. 
May 25, 1870. 
LAWS ESTABLISHING THE INSTITUTION. 
An Act to establish in the District of Columbia a Honse of Correction for 
Boys. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there 
shall be established in the District of Columbia, on the 
tract of land known as the government farm, a fit and con- 
venient house of correction, suitably and efficiently venti- 
lated, with convenient yards, workshops, and other suit- 
able accommodations adjoining or appurtenant thereto, for 9 
the safe keeping, correction, governing, and employing of 
offenders legally committed thereto by authority of the 
courts and magistrates of the District of Columbia : Pro- 
vided, That the building already erected on that land for 
the purpose of establishing a similar institution, together 
with all the other property there collected for the same pur- 
pose, shall be transferred to the trustees appointed accord- 
ing to the provisions of this act, at a cost not exceeding 
one thousand five hundred dollars. 
Sec. 2. be further enacted, That the government of 
said institution shall be vested in a board of seven trustees 
to be appointed and commissioned by the President of the 
United States, one of whom shall be nominated for appoint- 
ment by the mayor of Washington, one by the mayor of 
Georgetown, one by the levy court of the county of Wash- 
ington, and four by the Secretary of the Interior; and no 
trustee shall receive compensation for his services, but 
each trustee shall be allowed the amount of expenses 
necessarily incurred in the discharge of the duties of his 
office. The term of office of the said trustees shall be 
three years; but on the first appointment of the board of 
trustees two of the members shall be appointed for one year, 
two for two years, and three for three years, to be deter- 
mined by the President. 
Sec. [3.] And be it further enacted, That the said board of 
trustees shall be a corporation, by the name of the Trus- 
tees of the House of Correction for the District of Colum- 
bia, for the purpose of taking and holding, in trust, what- 
ever property may be conveyed, devised, donated, or 
bequeathed for the benefit of said institution, with all the 
power necessary to carry this purpose into effect. 
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty 
of the said board of trustees to take charge of the general 
interests of the institution; they may appoint a superin- 
tendent, a steward, a teacher or teachers, and such other 
officers as may be found necessary, and may be approved 
by the Secretary of the Interior; they may fix the salaries 
of said officers, subject to the approval of the Secretary of 
the Interior; they may prepare such by-laws as may be 
necessary to regulate and direct the management of the 
institution, which, however, shall not be valid until ap- 
proved by the Secretary of the Interior; and to exercise a 10 
vigilant supervision over the institution, its officers, and 
its inmates. 
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted. That before entering 
upon the duties of his office the superintendent shall give 
a bond to the trustees, with sureties to be approved by the 
board of trustees and by the Secretary of the Interior, in 
the sum of three thousand dollars, conditioned that he 
shall faithfully account for all money received by him, and 
faithfully perform al] the duties incumbent on him as su- 
perintendent of said house of correction. 
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That a treasurer of the 
institution shall be appointed by the board of trustees, 
subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, 
who shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, 
give a bond to the trustees, with sureties to be approved 
by the board of trustees and by the Secretary of the Interior, 
in the sum of live thousand dollars, conditioned that he 
shall faithfully account for all the money received by him 
as treasurer; and it shall be his duty to keep a clear and 
full record of his accounts as treasurer, and report an ab- 
stract of the same to the chairman of the board of trustees 
once in every two months. 
Sec.7. And be it further enacted, That, as soon after their 
appointment as possible, the board of trustees shall take 
measures to have the land and buildings designated suita- 
bly prepared for the use of said house of correction ; and 
as soon as the buildings and premises are prepared for oc- 
cupancy, the trustees shall give notice to the proper au- 
thorities and courts of the cities of Washington and 
Georgetown, and of the county of Washington, that the 
house of correction is ready to receive inmates. 
Sec. 8. And be it farther enacted, That when any boy un- 
der the age of fourteen years is found guilty in a court in 
the District of Columbia of any crime punishable by im- 
prisonment other than imprisonment for life, he shall be 
committed to the said house of correction, and there held 
in custody of the superintendent for the term of his sen- 
tence ; and when any boy over fourteen and under sixteen 
years of age shall be found guilty in a court of the District 
of Columbia of any crime punishable by imprisonment 
other than imprisonment for life, it shall be the duty of the 
court trying the case to consider carefully and decide 
whether he is or is not a fit subject for the house of cor- 11 
rection, and make its sentence accord with its decision 
of this question. 
Sec. 9. And be. it further enacted, That the superintendent 
shall reside at the institution constantly, and that he, with 
such subordinate officers as may be appointed in accord- 
ance with the fourth section of this act, shall have the 
charge and custody of the boys; shall govern them in ac- 
cordance with such rules and regulations as the board of 
trustees may prescribe in its by-laws; shall employ them 
in agricultural, mechanical, or other labor ; shall give them 
instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and 
such other studies, and in such arts and trades as the trus- 
tees may direct; and shall employ such methods of disci- 
pline as will, as far as possible, reform their characters, 
preserve their health, promote regular improvement in 
their s[t]udies, trades, and employments, and secure in 
them fixed habits of religion, morality, and industry. 
Sec. 10. And be, it farther ena.ct.ed, That the superintend- 
ent shall have charge of the lands, buildings, furniture, 
tools, implements, stock, provisions, and every other spe- 
cies of property pertaining to the institution, within the pre- 
cincts thereof; and he shall keep, in suitable books, regu- 
lar and complete accounts of all his receipts and expendi- 
tures, and of all the property intrusted to him, so as to 
show clearly the income and expenses of the institution; 
and he shall account to the treasurer, in such manner as 
the trustees may prescribe, for all the money received by 
him from the proceeds of the institution or otherwise; and 
he shall keep a register of the names and ages of all boys 
committed to the institution, with the dates of their ad- 
mission and discharge, and such particulars of their his- 
tory before and after leaving the institution as he can 
obtain. His books and all documents relating to the house 
of correction shall, at all times, be open to the inspection 
of the trustees, who shall once or more in every three 
months carefully examine his accounts and the vouchers 
and documents connected therewith, and make a record 
of the result of such examination. 
Sec. 11. And, be it further enacted, That all contracts on 
account of the institution shall be made by the superin- 
tendent, and, when approved by the trustees, if their by- 
laws shall require their approval, shall be binding in law, 12 
and the superintendent, or his successor, may sue or be 
sued thereon to final judgment and execution ; and no suit 
shall abate by reason of the office of superintendent be- 
coming vacant during the pendency of the suit, but any 
successor in the office shall assume the prosecution or de- 
fence of any pending suit, and continue the prosecution or 
defence until such suit shall be concluded. 
Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That one or more of 
the trustees shall visit the said house of correction, once at 
least in every two weeks, at which time the condition of 
the same shall be carefully examined and the register in- 
spected ; a record of the visits shall be kept in the books 
of the superintendent; once in every three months the in- 
stitution shall be thoroughly examined in all its depart- 
ments by not less than three of the trustees, and a report 
of such examination shall be made to the board; and an 
abstract of the reports, together with full annual reports 
of the superintendent and the tre5surer, shall be presented 
to the Secretary of the Interior on or before the fifteenth 
clay of November in each year. 
Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That when a boy shall 
be committed to the said house of correction, the city in 
which he had his residence at the time of such commit- 
ment, or, if his residence was within the county of Wash- 
ington, and not within the city of Washington, or the city 
of Georgetown, then the county of Washington shall pay 
to the treasurer of the house of correction fifty cents a 
week while he remains therein; the payments shall be 
made quarterly on the first days of January, April, July, 
and October; and any sum so paih may be recovered by 
such city or county of any parent, kindred, or guardian, 
liable by law to maintain him. 
Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose 
of securing a transfer of the building and other property 
to the trustees, preparing the premises and building for 
occupancy, and for the payment of other necessary ex- 
penses* there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in 
the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of twelve 
thousand dollars, to be ]>aid only on the order of the Sec- 
retary of the Interior: Provided, That six thousand dollars 
of said appropriation is hereby declared to be the sum that 
shall be assessed and paid by the cities of Washington and 13 
Georgetown, and the county of Washington ; and it shall 
be the duty of the proper authorities of the city of Wash- 
ington to raise, by taxation or otherwise, and pay into the 
treasury of the United States, at or before the time when 
the premises shall be ready for occupancy by the house of 
correction, the sum of four thousand five hundred dollars; 
and it shall be the duty of the proper authorities of the 
city of Georgetown to raise and pay in like manner the 
sum of one thousand dollars; and it shall be the duty of 
the proper authorities of the county of Washington to 
raise and pay in like manner the sum of five hundred dol- 
lars; and in case of default of such payment into the 
treasury of the United States by either of said cities or by 
the said county of Washington, the party so making de- 
fault shall be liable to summary proceedings before the 
supreme court of the District of Columbia, at the instance 
of the United States attorney for said District, to enforce 
the same, with interest thereon after the date of default. 
Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That this act shah take 
effect from the date of its passage. 
Approved July 25,1866. 
AN ACT to amend an act entitled " An act to establish in the District of 
Columbia a house of correction for boys," approved July twenty-five, 
eighteen hundred and sixty-six. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
board of trustees of the house of correction, which shall 
hereafter be known and designated as the Reform School 
of the District of Columbia, may, at their discretion, re- 
ceive, take and keep in their exclusive care, control, and 
custody: First. Any boys under the age of sixteen years 
who shall or may be liable to punishment by imprison- 
ment under any existing law of the District of Columbia, 
or any law that may be enacted and in force in said Dis- 
trict. Second. Any boy under sixteen years of age, with 
the consent of his parent or guardian, against whom any 
charge of committing any crime or misdemeanor shall 
have been made, the punishment of which, on conviction, 
would be confinement in jail or prison. Third. Any boy 
under sixteen years of age, who is destitute of a suitable 14 
home and adequate means of obtaining an honest living, 
or who is in danger of being brought up, or is brought up, 
to lead an idle or vicious life. Fourth. Any boy under 
sixteen years of age who is incorrigible, or habitually dis- 
regards the commands of his parents, father or mother, or 
guardians; or who resort to immoral places or practices; 
or who neglects or refuses, at the request or command of 
his parents, father or mother, or guardian, to perform 
labor suitable to his years and condition, or to attend 
school. 
Sec. 2. And be it f urther enacted, That whenever any boy 
under the a<re of sixteen year shall be brought before any 
court of record of the District of Columbia, or any judge 
of such court, and shall be convicted of any crime or mis- 
demeanor punishable by imprisonment, other than im- 
prisonment for life, such court or judge, in lieu of sen- 
tencing such boy to imprisonment in the county jail, may, 
with the consent of suc'i boy or his parent or guardian, 
suspend the sentence of punishment in the case, and com- 
mit the said boy to the care, control, and custody of the 
said trustees, to be taken to the said reform school, to re- 
main until he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, 
unless sooner discharged by the board of trustees. And 
in all cases where a boy, under the age of sixteen years, 
shall be brought before any court or judge upon the charge 
of crime or misdemeanor, when the accusation against him 
is deemed supported by evidence sufficient to put him on 
trial, such court or judge should have full power to stay 
all proceedings in the case, and to commit him, in like 
manner, for such period as such court or judge may deter- 
mine, but not less than six months. 
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the mayors of the 
cities of Washington and Georgetown, and the president 
of the levy court of the District of Columbia, respectively, 
shall have full power to commit to the care, control, and 
custody of the board of trustees of said reform school, with 
the consent, and at the proper expense, of his parent or 
guardian, for such term as the board of trustees may de- 
termine, any boy such as is described in the third and 
fourth clauses of section one of this act. And the mem- 
bers of the said board of trustees shah, also, individually, 
have the same power as is herein given to the mayors of 15 
Washington and Georgetown, and the president of the 
levy court. 
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the thirteenth sec- 
tion of the act above mentioned be amended by inserting 
" a sum not exceeding one dollar and a half per week," in 
the place of the words "fifty cents." 
Sec. 5. And be it farther enacted, That in case any boy 
shall be committed to the care and control of the board of 
trustees, for the benefits of the reform school, by either of 
the mayors aforesaid, the president of the levy court, or 
either of the trustees, as before provided, the said board of 
trustees may, if they deem it proper, require security to be 
given to them by the parent or guardian of any boy so 
committed, for the payment of the expense of maintaining 
such boy in the said school, for such period as he may re- 
main there. And in all cases a statement of the age of 
the boy committed to the care of the board of trustees, to- 
gether with the reason for such commitment, shall be fur- 
nished at the time of the commitment of each boy, to be 
delivered to the said board ; and until such statement shall 
be so delivered the trustees may decline to receive such 
boy. No commitment shall remain in force longer than 
until the committed shall have become fully reformed, nor 
after he shall have attained the age of twenty-one years. 
But the said board shall have power to discharge any boy 
from their custody, by an order duly entered upon their 
records, whenever they shall deem the object of commit- 
ting him fully attained. The trustees shall also have full 
power to place any boy, committed as herein described, 
during his minority, at such employment for or on account 
of said school of reform or otherwise, and cause him to be 
instructed in such branches of useful knowledge as may be 
suitable to his years and capacity, and as they, the said 
trustees, may see fit; and they may, with the consent of 
any such boy, bind him out as an apprentice during his 
minority to learn such proper trade and employment as in 
their judgment will be most conducive to his reformation 
and amendment, and as will tend to his future benefit; 
and the said trustees shall, for such purpose, have power 
to appoint a committee of one or more of their number 
with power to execute and deliver on behalf of the said 
board of trustees, indentures of apprenticeship for any boy 16 
whom they may deem a proper person for an apprentice, 
and such indentures shall have the same force and effect 
as other indentures of apprenticeship under the laws of the 
District of Columbia, and be filed and kept among the 
records and in the office of the said reform school, and it 
shall not be necessary to record or file them elsewhere. 
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of 
the Interior shall cause so much of the tract of land known 
as the Government Farm, in the District of Columbia, as 
may not be deemed necessary for the use of the aqueduct, 
to be set off by metes and bounds, to the board of trustees 
of the school of reform, in accordance with the provision 
of the first section of the act of July twenty-fifth, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-six, of which this is an amendment; 
and thereupon the said board of trustees shall have exclu- 
sive possession and control of such portion as shall thus be 
set off to them. 
Approved May 6, 1870. BY-LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS 
FOR THE 
Reform jsdjool of f|)t pisfritf of (Columbia. 
its object, and the means to accomplish it. 
Section 1. The Reform School is established for one 
purpose, to wit: The reformation of the inmates detained 
therein. 
Sec. 2. The means to be employed are instruction and 
labor, under thorough discipline, accompanied by rewards 
and punishments, as may be deserved by the inmates. 
Sec. 3. The instruction will embrace mental and physi- 
cal culture, teaching and preparing the inmates, while in 
the Institution, how to live after they leave it. 
Sec. 4. The labor shah be such as suits the capacity and 
age of the inmates, respectively; it shall not be imposed 
as a punishment. The inmates shall be made to feel that 
they are taught to labor so that they may accpiire regular 
habits, a love of industry and aversion to idleness, and 
thus be fitted to gain a livelihood when they shall go out 
into the world. 
Sec. 5. The discipline shall be that of the family, the 
school, the workshop, and the farm, and not of a prison. 
The inmates are to be watched over as pupils, and not 
guarded as prisoners or criminals, and there shall be no 
more restraint than shall be necessary to develop them in 
good and repress bad qualities. Self-instruction, self-desire 18 
to labor, and self-government, shall be inculcated as the 
best culture, as well as the most effective discipline. 
Sec. 6. Every effort of the inmates towards self-improve- 
ment shall be encouraged and suitably rewarded. 
ITS SUPERVISION. 
Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall exercise over 
the Reform School a wholesome supervision, by frequent 
visits to it. The Superintendent shall reside at the Reform 
School, and devote all of his time to its interests, and a 
committee of the Board of Trustees shall visit it at least 
once a month. 
Sec. 2. The Superintendent shall carefully record all 
official proceedings, keep accurate and detailed accounts, 
and report at every regular meeting. 
Sec. 3. All purchases for the Reform School shall be 
made by the Superintendent, or under his supervision. 
At each regular meeting of the Board, one or more mem- 
bers of the Board shall examine the account books of the 
Superintendent, to see that the vouchers presented are all 
correctly entered and posted, and a minute of the exami- 
nation shall be made in the record book of the Superin- 
tendent. 
Sec. 4. All nominations and elections of officers for the 
Reform School shall be made by the Board of Trustees. 
The Superintendent may temporarily appoint officers or 
assistants when their services are needed, but such ap- 
pointments shall continue only until the next meeting of 
the Board. 
Sec. 5. Removals or dismissals of officers or assistants 
shall take place only upon the recommendation of the 
Board. The Superintendent shall have power, however, 
to suspend any employe for good reasons, when the cir- 
cumstances admit of no delay, from pay and employment. 19 
Sec. 6. The Superintendent shall be the superior officer 
at the Reform School; he shall have the general charge of 
the inmates and business of the Institution, and shall pre- 
sent to the Board, at each regular meeting, a clear record 
of all business transacted during the month. lie shall see 
that all officers and assistants are punctual and faithful in 
the discharge of their respective duties, and that the regu- 
lations and by-laws are carefully observed and carried out. 
THE OFFICERS. 
Section 1. The following officers and assistants shall be 
appointed in the manner aforesaid: two officers for each 
family of fifty boys, to be called elder brothers; one or 
more night-watchmen, as shall be deemed necessary; a 
chaplain, physician, matron, superintendent of workshops, 
gardener, and man-of-all-work. 
Sec. 2. The several officers and assistants shall hold 
their appointments during the pleasure of the Board, and 
be employed or removed only for good and sufficient rea- 
sons, and without political or other undue partiality. 
Sec. 3. Resignations of any officer or assistant at the 
Institution shall be tendered in writing, and shall not take 
effect until thirty days after being presented, except with 
the consent of the Board. Should any officer or assistant 
leave abruptly and without consent of the Board, the same 
shall forfeit any salary or compensation due him at such 
time. 
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of all officers and assistants 
to remain constantly at the Institution, unless leave of ab- 
sence is granted by the Superintendent. All subordinate 
officers, in addition to their specific duties, shall aid the 
Superintendent in preserving order and quiet among the 
inmates, in guarding against escapes, and generally in 
maintaining the rules and discipline of the Institution. 20 
They shah also perform such other service, from time to 
time, as in the opinion of the Superintendent the interests 
of the Institution may demand. 
Sec. 5. Two officers, called Elder Brothers, shall be ap- 
pointed for each family of fifty boys. One or both of these 
brothers must be present with the boys at all times, and 
have charge of them in all things; they shall instruct them 
in such branches of education as may be directed by the 
Board of Trustees, and in the arrangement and classifica- 
tion of studies, shall follow the general direction of the 
Superintendent; they shall strive to inspire the boys with 
a love of study, and lead them justly to estimate the value 
of a sound, practical education, and shall make an effort, 
by precept and example, to impress upon their minds the 
importance of good order, self-government, and purity of 
body and mind. 
They shall attend to the cleanliness of the school-rooms, 
dormitories, yards, &c., and shall be responsible for the 
safety, care, and preservation of all books and furniture 
belonging to their respective rooms or buildings, and by 
strict personal examination see that no injury or waste is 
suffered. 
They shall teach the boys proper manners for the table, 
good order for the dormitory, and politeness towards each 
other. 
Each Elder Brother shall pass to the table with his class, 
at all meals, to see that the boys are properly seated, and 
their necessary wants supplied. 
One or more officers shall remain in the dining-room 
during meals, that perfect order may be maintained. Slov- 
enly and hasty eating will not be allowed, and the boys 
must be polite and gentlemanly in their depoftment. Any 
violation of the rules of strict propriety at the table must 
receive the immediate attention of the officer in charge. 21 
The Elder Brothers shall lead the boys in saying grace 
before each meal, and shall also take charge of the morn- 
ing and evening devotions. They shall spend a portion of 
each evening in moral review of their respective families, 
at which time a record of the conduct of each youth shall 
be made in a 'book kept for that purpose. This book 
shall be the basis upon which the standing of any boy shall 
be determined. The Elder Brothers shall go to the field 
with their respective classes to perform such work as may 
by the Superintendent. 
The work shall be so arranged, if possible, that all the 
boys will get a practical knowledge of farming" and gar- 
dening, and each one shall be required, at all times, to 
perform his work well. 
MATRON. 
The Matron shall have the general charge and super- 
vision of all the domestic arrangements of the Institution. 
The sewing rooms, laundry, and hospital, shall be con- 
ducted under her direction, and she shall see that cleanli- 
ness, order, and propriety are maintained in these apart- 
ments. She shall see that all female assistants are diligent 
and faithful in the discharge of their appropriate duties, 
discreet in their deportment, and'strict in the obsereance 
of all the rules of the Institution, and shall report to the 
Superintendent'any remissness that may come to her 
knowledge. 
She shall see that the sick receive proper attention, and 
shall have a maternal regard for the health and physical 
welfare of all the boys. 
She shall see that there is no unnecessary waste in the 
kitchen department, and that a sufficient quantity of clean, 
wholesome food is furnished for all the tables at each meal. 22 
WATCHMEN. 
The night watchmen shall watch over the youth from 
the time they retire until they rise in the morning. At 
5J a. m. they shall cause the boys to rise, make their beds 
neatly, wash and prepare for breakfast. Any case of dis- 
orderly conduct, or sickness during the night, shall be im- 
mediately reported to the Superintendent. 
They shall perform a regular patrol through and around 
the buildings during the night, in which they shall exer- 
cise due vigilance to prevent escapes, and to discover and 
prevent danger from tire. They shall perform any other 
duties assigned them by the Superintendent. 
PUNISHMENTS. 
Punishments shall be imposed as a public judgment, 
and never under the excitement of the moment. It may 
be inflicted by the deprivation of amusements, or recrea- 
tion ; by withholding some favorite article of food, or by 
substituting bread and water for the regular meal; by loss 
of rank or standing in the class by the performance of 
some irksome duty; by solitary confinement for a limited 
period, or in extreme cases by the infliction of moderate 
corporeal punishment. 
In all cases care should be taken to impress the delin- 
quents with the conviction that the object in administer- 
ing punishment is to subdue the vicious passions, to pro- 
mote their welfare individually, and secure the good of the 
Institution, and at the same time to convince them, beyond 
a doubt, that discipline and good order will be maintained 
at all hazards. For all minor offences and indiscretions, 
gentle admonition and reproof should be adopted; but 
any officer or assistant having charge of youth, may use 
all judicious force necessary to repress any violent or ob- 
stinate and persistent resistance to his orders; and in all 23 
such eases the offending youth shall be confined in the 
lockup, or otherwise secured, and the fact reported to the 
Superintendent. 
ESCAPES. 
In all cases of attempts at escape, it shall be the duty 
of all employed at the Institution, that can be spared, to 
follow at once in pursuit of the fugitive or fugitives, under 
the directions of the Superintendent; and all persons so 
pursuing shall have full power to use any and all means 
necessary to retake him or them. Means should also be 
taken to post the fugitive or fugitives in all places to 
which he or they would be likely to resort. Should recap- 
ture fail, then the Superintendent shall place the proper 
process in the hands of some constable or police officer, 
with a suitable reward, not to exceed twenty-five dollars, 
for the capture of the youth. 
An attempt to escape shall wipe out all merit marks due 
such fugitive; and he shall, when recaptured, be degraded 
to class eight; and he shall also be liable to such punish- 
ment as the Superintendent, with the advice of the Elder 
Brothers, may inflict, which may extend to solitary con- 
finement for two weeks in a dark eell. 
GENERAL REGULATIONS. 
Visitors shall, at all seasonable hours, be welcome to the 
Reform School under such regulations as the Board may 
prescribe. 
No spirituous or intoxicating drinks shall be brought to 
the Institution, except for medicinal purposes. 
No officer shall at any time make use of such liquor un- 
less ordered by a physician. 
The food approved by the common custom of the coun- 
try shall be the food of the Institution. 24 
The clothing of the inmates shall he comfortable, ac- 
cording to the season: Woolen in winter, cotton in sum- 
mer. The clothing shall be neatly made, and care taken 
to have a good fit, and shall be mended as often as needed. 
No person regularly employed shall be absent from his 
duties without permission from the Superintendent. 
All persons employed at the Institution shall attend the 
daily devotional exercise, when practicable. 
Shall also attend all religious exercises on the Sabbath, 
unless special leave of absence is granted. 
No officer will be employed merely as overseer, but all 
will be expected to teach not merely by precept but by 
example. 
No officer shall be required to perform duties inconsis- 
tent with those regularly assigned him; but all shall strive 
to carry out the spirit, as well as the letter, of the regula- 
tions of the Institution, and hold themselves in readiness 
at all times for any emergency, and by general and con- 
stant acts of accommodation, firmness, and kindness, in ad- 
vancing the reformation of the boys. 
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed, 
at any regular meeting of the Board.