The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-04-24
A Very Sad Neglect.

To the Editor of the Press: 81 EEEp
We Portlanders are interested in many good
works." Wehaye our associations for the re-
lief of the poor, the aged and infrm, the widow
and the fatherless, the sick and needy; we have
numerous and efficient brotherhoods; we have
temperance societies and mission schools; and
at last-as though there were really nothing
more to be done for humanity-we have new
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ami
mails" For this last we have only good wishes;
there was need of it, may it be in every way
success But in view of one other aching, cry
ing need among US, we may well recall the say
ing: "These ought We to have done, and not
left the other undone."
We are well aware and gladly remember that
this need has been recognized and that efforts
have been already made to secure the establish
ment here of "An Industrial School for Girls
but, from never mind what of reasons, the good
work has not been actually begun, and the
months and years are passing, and the defile-
nient and ruin of fair young souls is going on
continually and increasingly. -
There are scores and scores of young girls in
town daily and nightly drifting toward almost
remediless ruin, while we are doing next to moth
ing to save them 1t is well to save poor over
laden, over-driven horse from the cruelties OF a
brutal teamster, but while you are giving time
and thought and money to prevent such wrong
and shame, think of what you ought also to do
and rather to do, to 'ssdve a soul from dedthr'
We know there are those who will read these
words and give their sentiment a sad and an
earnest echo; for there are many of our readers
who have been and are deeply interested in this
matter. But to these we say: Why wait on,
year after year, for the uncertainties of State
legislation? Begin at once awerk which, if
faithfully carried on, shall, by another year
compel State recognition and support But
whether with or without such authority and
aid, do something and at once! The first thing
needed is simply house, s'home." Many of
the noblest and most efficient charities, at home
and abroad, have had, only as it were, four
walls and roof to start with, And we believe
that if only some two or three good women
would set themselves to make this beginning,
they could easily and shorty secure funds
enough for,d lGdt bga19iq LbadJ.e 9yaI
b i. The rental, for one year, of suitable
{ house. T. dsi blUgH lasBid 56 tgd5 b9dgGu
O. The purchase of comfortable furniture Ito
ward the furnishing of a house, many would
give articles for use, who could not so easily
give money! ~ ..1 5 -.''.el -
\ 8. The employment of a ''matron"; and a
suitable person could be found who would I'M
dertal1e the duties at a moderate salry. 1a
al This is all that1s needful for beginning; and
this beginning once made, other needs could be
readily met and supplied. There are those
tion sympathy, spiritual help. Needle work
would be supplied and garments sold, the pro-
ceeds going toward the family's expenses and
deficits in this department would be filled by
contributions from the generosity of our deal
ers in food and firing. There is nothing in the
least t'impracticable" in all this. This very
action has been taken elsewhere and taken sue
cessfully. In certain city of New England,
not unlike Portland, the Home for the Friend
less" begun in just this way, few years ago,
is now a recognized and permanent. and
very useful public institution 30 iaHsd 3h
OF course, from the outset this home should
have certain recognition from our city au-
thorities. 1t would attract few who, yolun
tarily or through persuasion might seek its
asylum. But it would be within the province
of our authorities to give choice to an arrested
person to enter the Home and remain there, or
be sent to the Aims House or the Jail; to be
sent irrevocably to prison if caught outside the
Home limits during the appointed time. This
is all the legal recognition necessary; and the
less of This the better Not correction SO much
as prevention and kindly guided reformation
should be the sentiment surrounding the PLAN
he flots< al
be done in this direction. 1t is especially
part of 'sooman's ,oork"; and we urge them to
wait no longer for slow-paced, cold-hearted leg
islators. r.
Portland, April 3d. 1872.