destitute child committed by the alcalde of a municipality for the period during which such child is supported in a state institution. Children committed to the department may be returned to their parents, relatives, or friends, in the discretion of the department. No child so returned by the department shall be again committed by the alcalde, but the department, in its discretion, at the request of the alcalde, may again take charge of such child.

When any child shall be so committed in the province of Havana, the alcalde shall provide for the transportation of said child to the office of the department. When such commitment occurs in some other province, the alcalde shall forthwith notify the department and shall place such child temporarily in some suitable institution for the care of children, or make other suitable provision for the temporary care of such child, at the expense of the municipality. The department shall forthwith notify the alcalde at what place said child will be received into the custody of the department, and the alcalde shall provide, at the expense of the municipality, for the transportation of the child to such place.

SEC. 9. Whenever a child actually, or apparently, between the ages of ten and sixteen years is convicted before any court of competent jurisdiction of a crime or misdemeanor, whether or not said child shall have acted with discernment, said court shall, unless in its judgment said child should be placed under the care of a parent or other relative or friend willing and able to care for and properly train him, commit such child, until he shall have attained the age of eighteen years, to the Reform School for Boys at Havana, if a boy, or if a girl, to the Aldecoa Reform School for Girls at Havana. Girls between ten and sixteen years now in confinement in any jail or prison shall be transferred to said Reform School for Girls; and subsequent commitments of girls under this section shall be to said Reform School for Girls. Any such court is hereby authorized to commit to the proper reform school any boy or girl between the ages of ten and sixteen years residing in the judicial district in which such court is situated, who has been found, after an inquiry satisfactory to the court, to be a confirmed vagrant, or whose moral training has been so neglected that said child is in danger of becoming a criminal and is in need of reformatory discipline; provided, that no child shall be so committed by any court for the sole reason that it is homeless or destitute. No such child shall be committed without notice of at least three days to his parents or guardian, if such parents or guardian are living within the judicial district in which such commitment is pending. Every commitment to a reform school shall be until the child so committed shall reach the age of eighteen years. When any child shall be committed under the provisions of this section the authorities of the municipalities shall forthwith provide for the transportation of such child to the institution to which it shall have been committed.

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

SEC. 10. The department of charities shall establish at some location, at which land suitable for agricultural purposes can be obtained, an institution to be known as the Training School for Boys of Cuba. Its objects shall be the temporary care of destitute boys under the age of sixteen years, committed to the department from any part of the island, until such boys can be placed in families; and also the training, in agricultural or other pursuits, of such destitute boys as it may not be practicable to place in family homes. Boys shall be received in the school only by order of the department. They will remain in the custody of the department while in the school and may be removed at any time by the department. The department shall also remove to this institution, when established, all the boys then in the institution heretofore known as the Havana San José Asylum for Boys, except those who shall have been admitted thereto to await trial, or who have been convicted of an offense, or who have been sent for correctional discipline.

SEC. 11. The Training School for Boys shall be under the direct charge and control of the department until March 1, 1901. There shall be appointed for this school, not later than September 30, 1900, by the military governor, a board of managers composed of five members. The term of office of members of this board shall be five years, and they shall serve without salary. The first appointments shall be for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years, respectively. Appointments to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be for the unexpired term. The first meeting of the board of managers shall be held during the month of October, 1900, at the call of the department. The board shall hold regular monthly meetings, and such special meetings as it may deem necessary. Whenever practicable, meetings of the board shall be held at the school. The board shall elect from its own number a president and a vice-president.

SEC. 12. Until March 1, 1901, the board of managers shall exercise such powers only as may be delegated to them by the written order of the department. From

and after March 1, 1901, the board of managers shall become responsible for the control and management of the institution, and shall have the general direction and control of its property and affairs. They shall see that the objects for which it was established are secured. They shall have power to establish such by-laws, rules, and regulations as they may deem necessary for defining the duties of the officers and employees of the school and for the management of its affairs, and shall, subject to the approval of the department, determine from time to time the number and salaries of such employees. They shall, on or before the 15th of each month, submit to the department a detailed estimate of the expense of conducting the school during the ensuing month. They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall be open at all times, together with the other books and papers of the school, to inspection by the department. They shall appoint, whenever a vacancy occurs in that office, a superintendent of the school.

SEC. 13. The superintendent shall be the secretary of the board of managers, and shall be the chief executive officer of the school. Subject to the by-laws, rules, and regulations established by the board of managers, the superintendent shall have the general oversight of the buildings and grounds, with their furniture and equipment, and shall have the direct control of all persons therein. He shall personally see that each inmate receives such training and instruction as may be suited to his years and capacity. The board of managers shall, upon the nomination of the superintendent, appoint such resident officers as they may deem necessary for the efficient management of the affairs of the school, and may remove any such officer for cause stated in writing, after an opportunity has been afforded him to be heard. The cause of removal shall be entered in the permanent records of the school. The superintendent shall see that suitable records are kept concerning each pupil, showing his name, previous history, place of birth, date of admission, age, previous residence, and his conduct, progress, and physical condition, from time to time, in the school. The superintendent, under the direction of the board, shall cause the children in said school to be instructed in the branches taught in the public schools of the island, and shall provide from time to time such courses of instruction as will enable the inmates of the school, other than those received for temporary care, to maintain themselves, after leaving the school, at some useful trade, calling, or occupation.

SEC. 14. The board of managers shall, after it shall become responsible for the control and management of the school, appoint a treasurer, who may or may not be of their number, and who, if not a member of the board, may receive a salary for this service, such salary to be regulated as are those of other employees. The treasurer shall

(a) Receive and have the custody of all moneys belonging to or appropriated to the institution.

(b) Pay the salaries of the officers and employees of the institution, and all other disbursements of said institution, upon the order of the board of managers.

(c) Keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and payments, and such other accounts as may be required of him by the board of managers, and in such form as the board of managers may direct.

(d) Balance his books on the first day of each January, and make a statement thereof and an abstract of all receipts and payments during the preceding year, and within five (5) days thereafter deliver the same to an auditing committee to be appointed by the board of managers. They shall compare the same with his books and vouchers and certify as to the correctness thereof to the board of managers at their next meeting.

(e) Perform such other duties as the board of managers may direct.

TRAINING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.

SEC. 15. The institution now known as the Havanɛ Industrial School for Girls is hereby declared to be the Training School for Girls of Cuba. Its object shall be the temporary care of destitute girls under the age of sixteen years committed to the department of charities from any part of the island, until such girls can be placed in families; and also the training in useful industries of such destitute girls as it may not be practicable to place in family homes. Girls shall be received in this school only by order of the department; they shall remain under the custody of the department while in the school, and may be removed at any time by the department.

There may also be conducted and maintained, under such rules and regulations as the authorities of the school shall establish, a normal class for the training of girls, who shall be between the ages of seventeen (17) and twenty-five (25) years when admitted to such class.

SEC. 16. The Training School for Girls shall be under the direct charge and control of the department until January 1, 1901. There shall be appointed for this school,

not later than July 31, 1900, by the military governor, a board of managers composed of five members. The term of office of members of this board shall be five years, and they shall serve without salary. The first appointments shall be for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years, respectively. Appointments to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be made for the unexpired term. The first meeting of the board of managers shall be held during the month of August, 1900, at the call of the department. The board of managers shall hold regular monthly meetings, and such special meetings as it may deem necessary. Whenever practicable, meetings of the board shall be held at the school. The board shall elect from its own number a president and a vice-president.

SEC. 17. Until January 1, 1901, the board of managers shall exercise such powers as may be delegated to them by the written order of the department. From and after January 1, 1901, the board of managers shall become responsible for the control and management of the institution, and shall have the general direction and control of its property and affairs. They shall see that the objects for which it was established are secured. They shall have power to establish such by-laws, rules, and regulations as they may deem necessary for defining the duties of the officers and employees of the school and for the management of its affairs. They shall, on or before the 15th of each month, submit to the department a detailed estimate of the expense of conducting the school during the ensuing month. They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall be open at all times, together with the other books and papers of the school, to inspection by the department. They shall appoint, whenever a vacancy occurs in that office, a superintendent of the school.

SEC. 18. The superintendent shall be secretary of the board of managers and shall be the chief executive officer of the school. Subject to the by-laws and regulations established by the board of managers, the superintendent shall have the general oversight of the buildings and grounds, with their furniture and equipment, and shall have the direct control of all persons therein. She shall personally see that each inmate receives such training and instruction as may be suited to her years and capacity. The board of managers shall, upon the nomination of the superintendent, appoint such resident officers as they may deem necessary for the efficient management of the affairs of the school, and may remove any such officer for cause stated in writing after an opportunity has been afforded her to be heard. The cause of the removal shall be entered in the permanent records of the school. The superintendent shall see that suitable records are kept concerning each pupil, showing her name, previous history, date of admission, age, previous residence, and her conduct, progress, and physical condition, from time to time, in the school. The superintendent, under direction of the board, shall cause the children in said school to be instructed in the branches taught in the public schools of the island, and shall provide such courses of instruction as will enable the inmates of the school, other than those received for temporary care, to maintain themselves at some useful trade, calling, or occupation. SEC. 19. The board of managers, after it shall become responsible for the control and management of the institution, shall appoint a treasurer, who may, or may not, be of their number, and who, if not a member of the board, may receive a salary for his services, such salary to be regulated as are those of other employees. The treasurer shall

(a) Receive and have the custody of all moneys belonging to or appropriated to the institution.

(b) Pay the salaries of the officers and employees of the institution and all other disbursements of said institution upon the order of the board of managers.

(c) Keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and payments and such other accounts as may be required of him by the board of managers and in such form as the board of managers may direct.

(d) Balance his books on the first day of each January and make a statement thereof and an abstract of all receipts and payments during the preceding year and within five (5) days thereafter deliver the same to an auditing committee to be appointed by the board of managers. They shall compare the same with his books and vouchers and certify as to the correctness thereof to the board of managers at their next meeting.

(e) Perform such other duties as the board of managers may direct.

REFORM SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

SEC. 20. The institution known as the San José Asylum for Boys, established and maintained by the city of Havana, is hereby declared to be the Reform School for Boys of Cuba and from and after the date of this decree shall be supported and controlled by the State. Its objects shall be the training and reformation of boys who may be committed to its custody by any court of competent jurisdiction upon con

viction of a crime or misdemeanor, or as being in need of reformatory discipline. Such commitments may be made from any part of the island according to the provisions of section 9 of this decree. On and after the date of this decree all children committed to this school shall be under the custody of the board of managers until such children reach the age of eighteen years, and any children who may be transferred to this school from the San José Asylum for Boys, and any children who may, in violation of the provisions of this decree, be committed to this school for a shorter period than until they reach the age of eighteen years, shall nevertheless be deemed to have been committed to the school until they reach the age of eighteen years.

SEC. 21. The Reform School for Boys shall be under the direct charge and control of the department until February 1, 1901. There shall be appointed for this school, not later than August 31, 1900, by the military governor, a board of managers composed of five members. The term of office of members of this board shall be five years and they shall serve without salary. The first appointments shall be for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years, respectively. Appointments to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be made for the unexpired term. The first meeting of the board of managers shall be held during the month of September, 1900, at the call of the department. The board shall hold regular monthly meetings and such special meetings as it may deem necessary. Whenever practicable meetings of the board shall be held at the school. The board shall elect from its own number a president and a vice-president.

SEC. 22. Until February 1, 1901, the board of managers shall exercise such powers as may be delegated to them by the written order of the Department. From and after February 1, 1901, the board of managers shall become responsible for the control and management of the school and shall have general direction and control of its property and affairs. They shall see that the object for which it was established is secured. They shall have the power to establish such by-laws, rules, and regulations as they may deem necessary for defining the duties of the officers and employees of the school and for the management of its affairs, and shall, subject to the approval of the department, determine from time to time the number and salaries of such employees. They shall maintain an effective inspection of the school. They shall, on or before the 15th of each month, submit to the department a detailed estimate of the expense of conducting the school during the ensuing month. They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall be open at all times, together with the other books and papers of the school, to the inspection by the department. They shall appoint, whenever a vacancy occurs in that office, a superintendent of the school.

SEC. 23. The superintendent shall be the secretary of the board of managers, and shall be the chief executive officer of the school. Subject to the by-laws and regulations established by the board of managers, the superintendent shall have the general oversight of the buildings and grounds, with their furniture and equipment, and shall have the direct control of all persons therein. He shall personally see that each inmate receives such training and instruction as may be suited to his years and capacity. The board of managers shall, upon the nomination of the superintendent, appoint such resident officers as they may deem necessary for the efficient management of the affairs of the school, and may remove any such officer for cause, stated in writing, after an opportunity has been afforded him to be heard. The cause of the removal shall be entered in the permanent record of the school. The superintendent shall see that suitable records are kept concerning each inmate, showing his name, previous history, place of birth, date of admission, cause of commitment, age, previous residence, and his conduct, progress, and physical condition, from time to time, in the school, and his conduct and occupation after leaving the school until discharged from its custody. The superintendent, under the direction of the board, shall cause the children in said school to be instructed in the branches taught in the public schools of the island, and shall provide from time to time such courses of industrial training as will enable the inmates of the school, other than those received for temporary care, to maintain themselves at some useful trade, calling, or occupation. SEC. 24. The authorities of the school may provide for the establishment of a system of uniforming, equipping, officering and instructing in military drill the inmates

of such institution.

SEC. 25. There shall be established a system of credits or awards for good conduct, and of demerits for bad behavior, idleness, or carelessness, which will enable any child to earn, by two years of good conduct, a discharge upon parole. Whenever any child in said institution shall have earned a discharge upon parole, or shall have given evidence, satisfactory to the authorities of the institution, that the objects sought by his commitment have been secured, and that said child is no longer in need of reformatory discipline, the authorities of the school shall report such fact to the

department of charities, with a statement of the terms upon which said child shall be paroled. The department shall forthwith provide for such child upon parole, by placing him in some family, or providing him with employment, or returning him to his parents or grandparents, if there are any of good character and of sufficient means to provide a home for him, or in such other manner as the department may deem advisable; but such children shall, unless granted a full and complete discharge, as provided in section 27 of this decree, remain under the custody and control of said school until he reaches the age of eighteen years. If, at any time before reaching the age of eighteen years, any child, who has been discharged upon parole and who has not been granted a full and complete discharge, shall violate the provisions of his parole, the department shall return him to said school for further reformatory discipline, under the system of credits and demerits above provided for.

SEC. 26. If any inmate of the school, not less than fourteen years of age, shall, by gross and habitual misconduct, or by a flagrant offence, exert a dangerous and pernicious influence over the other inmates, and if the authorities of the school shall be convinced that they are unable to effect a reformation of his conduct, the board of managers may cause such child to be taken before any court authorized to commit children to said school, with a written statement of the facts concerning said child's conduct. The court shall inquire into the facts and hear the boy's statement, and if the judge shall be satisfied that such a course is proper, he may commit such child to any jail or penitentiary for a period not to extend beyond the date on which such child will become eighteen years of age. At the expiration of the term of such commitment, or sooner if the board of managers of the school shall so direct, unless such child shall have reached the age of eighteen years, he shall be returned to the custody of said school.

SEC. 27. The board of managers of said school may, if it shall appear to their satisfaction that any child under their custody has become fully established in habits of industry, obedience, and good conduct, grant to such child a full and complete discharge from their custody, control, and oversight.

SEC. 28. The board of managers, after it shall become responsible for the control and management of the institution, shall appoint a treasurer, who may, or may not, be of their number, and who, if not a member of the board, may receive a salary for his services, such salary to be regulated as are those of other employees. The treasurer shall:

(a) Receive and have the custody of all moneys belonging to or appropriated to the institution;

(b) Pay the salaries of the officers and employees of the institution and all other disbursements of said institution, upon the order of the board of managers;

(c) Keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and payments, and such other accounts as may be required of him by the board of managers, and in such form as the board of managers may direct;

(d) Balance his books on the first day of each January, and make a statement thereof and abstract of all receipts and payments during the preceding year, and within five (5) days thereafter deliver the same to an auditing committee, to be appointed by the board of managers. They shall compare the same with his books and vouchers, and certify as to the correctness thereof to the board of managers at their next meeting;

(e) Perform such other duties as the board of managers may direct.

THE REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.

SEC. 29. The department of charities may, in its discretion, when an appropriation therefor shall have been authorized, establish a Reform School for Girls of Cuba. The object of such school shall be the training and reformation of girls who may be committed to its custody by any court of competent jurisdiction, upon conviction of any crime or misdemeanor, or as being in need of reformatory discipline, according to the provisions of section 9 of this decree.

SEC. 30. The Reform School for Girls shall be under the direct charge and control of the department for a period of six months after its establishment. The military governor shall appoint for the school, within one month after the date of its establishment, a board of managers of five members. The term of office of members shall be five years, and they shall serve without salary. The first appointments shall be for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years, respectively. Appointments to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be made for the unexpired term. The first meeting of the board of managers shall be held within one month after the date of their appointment, at the call of the department. The board shall hold regular monthly meetings and such special meetings as it may deem