National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-12-11
A GIRLS REFoRM SCHOOL NEEDED.
What Shall be Done with WaYward Chill
dreni

Through the columns of the NATIONAL REPUB-
LIcAN 1t has been repeatedly and urgently stated
that the necessity for q reformatory institution
for women and girls. more particularly the latter
exists in this District to great extent, proba-
bly,, than elsewhere. Few cities OF the dimension
and population of this but what, ere now, have
school or home of this kind, where the helpless
and those disposed to evil halted in their down.
ward course, sent to the institution, checked in
their wayTardness and, in many cases, reclaimed
from q life of shame and infamy, while others are
stopped before entering their bad career. 1t is
by the Intervention of the detective and police or
hcers, young girls, enticed from home and drawn
into gilded brothels. have been brought back
perpetual shame, to show the need Of home of
the Good Sheperd; but because It is the fire.
9uent occurrence of girls, ranging from fourteen
70 eighteen years OF age, infatuated by love of
oIess ana gay life, become inmates Of these
horrible places ere they reach Woman's estate
That they may crafty their Unsuitable fancy for
show and display, regardless of the fact that thew
secure II at the expense Of virtue and honor
For the reclamation Of these reform school is
requisite, and Congress should take some steps
iookipR toward the accomplishment OF this OBJ
lect. There ts still a third class,'who become
mSIpers OF the fallen society" not through any
Lonuon OF their own, but who can attribute their
eeploraole condition TO the neglect and cruelty of
tnsn parents or those entrusted with their rear
Lns. 1hese deserve the pity and sympathy of the
community, and but seldom receive either An
instance Illustrative of the last class mentioned
He5 Sotne 70 the notice of the police off,
claIs, ana viii show with what Indifference SONS
parents consider the welfare of theIr daS1bte-s
In the vicinity OF the Government PrintSng 0as.:
resides man and his WIFE, They have 49,
girls, the youngest Of whom is scarce ffeen vears
old. The mother Is a slave to drink and n sal
dom free from the influence OF alcoholIc sni,Its
at which times she is neither able nor capabie n:
attending to household duties and generaiIy "a
turns q. profane answer to questions, very fire.
Quently accompanying them with blows espe
cially IL IT be her child talking. The father and
husband Is not much better. Sometimes he
works little, but the money obtained is squan-
dered In rum, and when drunk he Is more violent
than MS Vile. The house became almost PAN
demoniun.
The two older girls, fearing their parents. and
forced 70 seek Living, left home 10 search OF EN-.
Ployment, but soon struck the path that led to a
ehanefui life, and are still following Il ont in
hlcbmond, virginia Their fall appears to have
had little beneficial effect on the parents as they
pursue the same dissipated course Indifferent 10
their children or their welfare. No one was len
with them but the youngest sister, Agnes Shefs
pretty ano promises to become handsome woman
with . foil, round face, white peariy teeth black
eyes and curling hair ard good figure, she nav in
time become the envy OF her sex, unless the same
evlI that overhung the path of her sisters sh1H
family Will unless timely rescue comes to her Aid
gre mas become afraid and terrified at the a1ar.
rels and nights occurring between her parents
ana Twice mas ran away from home returning
when she judged the trouble lad temporarIIy suh
sided. But last Wednesday night there was a
more desperate battle than heretofore and she
quit the house, resolving 10 20 anywhere forever
and get rid Of such scenes. Not returning home
within tWentyfour hours, her father pat on .