ART. 27.] HOUSE OF REFORMATION. 571

consent of such children, as apprentices, during their minority;
that is to say, males until the age of twenty-one years, and
femaies until the age of eighteen years, to such persons and
places, whether in or out of this State, and to learn such proper
trades or employments, as in the judgment of the said managers
will be most conducive to the reformation and the future benefit
and advantage of such children; and the indentures by which
such children shall be bound shall contain the covenants, and
shall be recorded as prescribed by law; and all the provisions,
of the code in relation to white apprentices shall apply to
apprentices bound under this section.

1870, ch. 392, sec. 18.

347. The manner of receiving inmates into the house of
reformation shall be in either of the following modes, namely:
first, colored minors may be committed by a justice of the peace
for any of the counties, or the city of Baltimore, on complaint,
and due proof made to him by the parent, guardian or next
friend of such minor, that by reason of incorrigible or vicious
conduct such minor has rendered his or her control beyond the
power of such parent, guardian or next friend, and made it
manifestly requisite, that from regard to the morals and future
welfare of such minor, and the peace and order of society, he or
she should be placed under the guardianship of the house of
reformation; second, colored minors may be committed by the
authority aforesaid, when complaint and due proof have been
made that such minor is a proper subject for the guardianship of
the house of reformation in consequence of vagrancy, or of
incorrigible or vicious conduct, and that from the moral
depravity, or otherwise, of the parent, guardian or next friend, in
whose custody such minor may be, such parent, guardian or next
friend is unable or unwilling to exercise the proper care and
discipline over such incorrigible or vicious minor; third, such
children as their parents, guardians or friends may desire to
place therein for temporary restraint and discipline, and whose
parents, guardians or friends shall agree and contract with the

managers for their support and maintenance; and fourth, minors,
committed by the several courts in this State, as provided ins
sections 344 and 349.