observation, to form correct opinions on the subject, but would by spreading before the people the annual reports of the Board of Managers, with their interesting facts and details, which also would thereby be put in a permanent shape, and convey information to the people in regard to the real design and practical utility of this institution, to an extent which cannot be effected by the limited circulation of the reports as published by the Board.

Also, by thus recognizing in a formal manner this institution as a part of the common school system of the State, the Legislature would carry out what, in the opinion of your committee, should be the leading idea, viz: that it is an educational, and not a penal correctional establishment, and thus do away with the popular prejudice against this institution, and take away from the hands of its enemies the weapons so valiantly and industriously wielded, and which have tended to embarrass its management and impair its usefulness.

The State having assumed the guardianship of these juvenile delinquents, should not only afford them a means of learning to obtain an honorable livelihood and present them with motives for good conduct, but should send them forth into the world with a title to the respect of mankind.

Whatever may have been the design in providing for this establishment, "an enlightened and humane view treats it as, not in any leading sense, a place of punishment for juvenile delinquents, but furnishing, under the authority of law, a public guardianship to secure their good morals and future welfare, in cases where from any. cause the natural guardianship does not exist or has lost its control."

"The leading object is instruction and not punishment; restraint from bad associations; an Asylum for friendless and unfortunate children, and not a Prison for young culprits." And yet such is not the view of the public mind.

Many parents and friends are deterred by false and erroneous opinions from committing incorrigible and vicious children to its discipline, or manifest extreme reluctance in submitting when commitments are made by magistrates, and if we are to believe the public prints, even some magistrates themselves exhibit great reluctance in committing culprits to its charge.

"It is this misconception of the charater of the Institution that prejudices the character of its inmates, who, after having undergone its course of instructions and guardianship," and on going out into the world to seek an occupation, and earn an honorable livelihood, are liable to be met with the epithet and have fastened upon them the name of prison-bird, thus hazarding their chances for acquiring that position in society for which, in a large majority of cases, these children are prepared by education, moral culture and habits of obedience to occupy with credit to themselves and usefulness to society.

The visitation of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the publication by him of the annual report of the Board of Control and Superintendent, with his annual report, will, when the importance of the results thereby obtained are considered, we think, impress favorably the mind of every one. "It will be a declaration annually repeated on the part of the State that she regards the Institution as a home and a school, and not as a prison, and the inmate in the true and important sense as a pupil, and not as a young culprit. And its association with the common school system will not only indicate the real nature and relation of this among other educational agencies, but will also, to a great degree, counteract the prejudices alluded to as interfering with and prejudicing its usefulness."

Your committee will, therefore, as soon as practicable, introduce a bill to change the name of said institution from that which it now bears, to that of REFORM SCHOOL; and also a bill to provide for the visitation of said institu

tion by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and for the publication of the annual reports of the Board of Control, Superintendent and assistants, with the annual report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, recommend their passage, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration thereof.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

J. W. PHELPS,

ANDREW ROBISON,

P. MCKINLEY,

Committee on House of Correction.

Lansing, January 29, 1859.