The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-27
THE SOCIAL EVIL IN BOSTON.
How tho Experiment Of Putting Street
Walkers on Probation Under Police Sur
veiIIance W0rks-A Good Report from tho
Chief of Police.

Walkers on Probation Under Police Sur
veilIance W0rks-A Good Report from the
Chief of Police.
from the Boston Journal, June 22.l
It Will be recollected that one evening In the carly
part last month the police Of this city arrested
over $50 females, mostly between the ages or seven
In the Municipal Court as common night walkers.
1t viii also be recOllected that the rad much
more extensive than was anticipated but, under the
circumstances ana after consultation between the
Court the Chief OF Police, Fathers Cook and Cullen
and other philantnropic gentlemen, 1t was concluded
to try the experiment OF putting them all on proba-
ton FOR sx weeks. That period OF time having ex-
pred Chief Savage appeared In court on Tuesday and
addressed Judge Bacon substantially as follows:
Some SIX weeks ago We had the imp easant duty
to present TO tn court large number OF complaints
OF peculiar character, which we believe require
peculiar treatment. Tnere are those who seem TO
police don't believe IT, White we have tile SYM
pathy with the wllful, plotting, hardened GRIM
women are victims rather than pr,nc pals TO
crime ana that Wholesome restraint, useful employ
ment, and KIND treatment ana encouragement viii
save some OF tnom. Acting upon this DeeI we came
here ask your Honor to pursue unusual Course.
We asked You 10 impose the restraint by pla ing be-
fore them the gates OF prison, yet giving thera one
more chance OF escape while we would have the op-
portunlty to try the experiment. OF Kind Treatment
and encouragement. And lere please allow me The
opportunity 70 Thank you, and oil good people thank
you for the wise and humane course pursued on that
occasion. In entering upon the experiment, on
would lend their aid;' we promised you that .ssuch
as had homes we would send them there's" that
'such as had none we would provide for them;' and
we told you that kind hearts and open hands would
furnish the means.n In this last, assure y0u we
have not been usappoin'ed; and we are here to-day,
your Honor, TO ienucr the first account OF our stew
ardship. or the number arrested on that occasion
Fathers Cook aud Cullen and the police took speclal
charge OK one hundred and thirteen. Twenty-Five
were put on PROBATION before the opening OF the
court and eignty-eight, pleading guilty" were
baici for future appearance giving them all one
more opportunity for reformation. Up TO this time
we have sent fcrynine home TO parents and friends
out OF the City, seven home to parents and friends ia
the city, nvo TO places OF respectable employment out
OF the city, ten 20 places OF respectable en-
pioyment IN the city, five to charity homo
temporarily, one to an insane asylum, one
sick at her old abode, five surrendered by
bail; twenty-five have shrunk away and Their
whereabouts are unknown, ana eight are yet 10 be
accounted for, making total OF ll3. Your Honor.
we have spared no pains in this WORK, and good
people have come forward with their aid and en-
couragement II ~ not all thrt we could wish, yet
that something has been done TO justify the
experiment. Ii we save but one, even she, my
daughter OF yours we would think 1t worth all the
labor.
Judge Bacon replied that the course which mad
been pursued In these cases he believed was tht
best possible one that could have been under Tie
circumstances. the only thing 10 he done being u
secure the ends OF ustce and the law FOR srpre ~
ing the ey. ana carry out measures FOR the refor