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 17 and 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, two, three, four, and five 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 régulations 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 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 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 1st day of each January, and make a statement thereof and an abstract of all receipts and payments during the preceding year, and within five 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; and

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

487

REFORM SCHOOL FOR BOYS.

SEC. 20. The institution known as the San José Asylum for Boys, established and maintained by the city of Habana, 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 con trolled by the State. Its object shall be the training and reformation of boys who may be committed to its custody by any court of competent jurisdiction upon conviction 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 18 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 18 years shall, nevertheless, be deemed to have been committed to the school until they reach the age of 18 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 appointment shall be for one, two, three, four, and five 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, The board shall hold regular monthly meetings, and at the call of the department. Whenever practicable, meetings of such special meetings as it may deem necessary. 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 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 rewards 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 up on 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 child 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 18 years. If at any time before reaching the age of 18 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 14 years of age shall, by gross and habitual misconduct, or by a flagrant offense, 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 18 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 18 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 ord 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 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 vouch ers 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 conmitted to its custody oy 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 estab

lishment, 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, two, three, four, and five 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 me 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. 31. Until six months after the date of the establishment of the school, the board of managers shall exercise such powers only as may be delegated to them by the department. From and after six months after the date of the establishment of the school, the board of managers shall become responsible for the control and management of the school, 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 rules, by-laws, 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 inspection by the department. They shall appoint, whenever a vacancy occurs in that office, a superintendent of the school.

SEC. 32. The superintendent shall be the secretary of the board and shall be the chief executive officer of the school. Subject to the by-laws and regulations established by the board, 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 shall, upon the nomination of the president, 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 inmate, showing her name, previous history, place of birth, date of admission, cause of commitment, age, previous residence, and her conduct, progress, and physical condition, from time to time in the school, and her 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. 33. There shall be established a system of credits or rewards 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 school shall have earned a discharge upon parole, or shall have given evidence, satisfactory to the authorities of the school, that the objects sought by her 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 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 her in some family, or providing her with employment, or returning her to her parents or grandparents, if there are any of good character and of sufficient means to provide a home for her, or in such other manner as the department may deem advisable. But such child shall, unless given a full and complete discharge, as provided in section 35 of this decree, remain under the custody, control, and oversight of said school until she reaches the age of 18 years. If at any time before reaching the age of 18 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 her parole, the department shall return her to said school for further reformatory discipline, under the system of credits and demerits above provided for.

SEC. 34. If any inmate of said school shall, by gross or habitual misconduct, or by a flagrant offense, 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 in her 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 girl'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 18 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, she shall be returned to the custody of the school, unless such child shall have reached the age of 18 years.

SEC. 35. The board of managers of said school may, if it shall appear to their satisfaction that any child under their custody has been 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. 36. The board of managers shall, after it shall become responsible for the control and management of the institution, 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 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 1st day of each January, and make a statement thereof and an abstract of all receipts and payments during the preceding year, and within five 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 BUREAU FOR PLACING CHILDREN IN FAMILIES.

SEC. 37. There shall be maintained in the department of charities a bureau for placing children in families. The department shall appoint a superintendent of this bureau, and such other inspectors and clerks as may be necessary from time to time. The object of this bureau shall be to provide homes in private families for as many as possible of the children who become charges upon public funds, or who are committed to the care of the department, or who earn a discharge upon parole from a State reform school. The department may place any child committed to its care directly in a family home, if such shall be available, or it may place such child in the training school for boys or in the training school for girls, according to its sex, or in some municipal or private institution for children, until a home for the child can be found; but children shall, whenever practicable, be placed in families.

SEC. 38. The department is also hereby authorized to remove from any municipal, private, or other asylum any child who is being supported at public expense, and place such child in a family, and may similarly remove a child from the training school for boys or the training school for girls and place such child in a family. When the department shall be notified that any inmate of the reform school for boys or the reform school for girls bas, by good conduct, earned a discharge upon parole, or has given evidence satisfactory to the authorities of the school that it is no longer in need of reformatory discipline, the department, through its bureau for placing children in families, shall provide for such child as hereinbefore stated.

SEC. 39. No child shall be placed by the department in a family until the department has satisfied itself by an adequate investigation of their circumstances, reputation, and character that such family is of good moral character, and is able to make adequate and proper provision for the care, education, and moral training of such child.

SEC. 40. The department shall maintain an effective oversight of children placed by it in families until such children shall reach the age of 16 years, for the purpose of ascertaining whether such children are adequately and properly cared for, comfortably clothed, kindly treated, and given the educational advantages to which they are entitled, and proper moral training. Such oversight shall be exercised by personal visitation by duly appointed agents of the department, by correspondence, and