Reformatory

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 15, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 50.

Reformatory.—The report of the Preston School of Industry, a California State reformatory institution, says: “The cadets in the educational department are doing well, as are those in the military school, but guns are needed for drilling.” The idea of drilling bad boys to the use of guns is a novel idea of reformation. The gun is one of the things to which they naturally gravitate, and is often the thing from which they need to be reformed. There is much ado about the Christianity of the present day. In the name of Christianity men are put in jail in some places as a consequence of their obedience to the law of God. In the name of Christianity greatly-increased army and naval facilities are urged as a necessity of further enlightening the world. In the name of Christianity destructive wars are carried on. And for the reformation of unruly boys guns are put in their hands and they are taught the use of them. It is a logical coincidence, however, that the same Legislature that will be asked for an appropriation to this end will also be asked to pass a Sunday law.