National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-03-13
TIE FALLEN.

he Girls Esfcrm School ts,ors the A2pr.-
priatisn oommittse-Msier Riehar:s' Let
ter,
Saturday morning hearing ~as given BY the
Houte Committee on Appropriations TO the trus-
tees and friends Of the Girls Reform School.
The committeeroom WAS crowded. There were
present the members Of the board OF trustees,
leading ministers and their wives, teachers OF
public EehoeIs Representatives C the press, police
officers and prominent ci.iE;ns.
HISTORICAL FACTS.
Mrs.. WIN. B. Srell made an eloquent sppesl
for the vreiched girls 20 fn quently tried In her
husbands court, whom the lind hearted Judge
would not condemn n there was any loophole OF
ns SDy 4. S.s
ing workhouse. Her relation OF numerous incl
dents under her own observation was touching 10
pause for Strength to describe the sufferings Of
these victims of the social vice. Mrs. LIE Droit
Langdon called the attention Of the committee
10 the practical benefits Of the Ohio Girls Rs
form School. Lieut.. Skippon also related his
personal experiences in arresting these girls in
A letter was read from his Honor d. X. Cart
ter Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court OF the
District Of Columbia. asking immediate pro-
letter iron the Department Of Justice was read,
stating that no provision existed in the District
for female juvenile delinquepts. A letter was
y ~
stating the law Telstipg TO juvenile offenders,
which required tina they should be sent to re-
form school, and the proper place had been pro.
place was provided for girls except the work
house and the common Jail.
MRS. SARA j. sPIScER, PRESIDENT
Of the Board OF Trustees, spoke OF the valuable
testimony that would be brought before the CON-
site and construction Of buildings for girls re-
form SCHOOL, An examination, she said, OF the
veIopment on This SUBJECT led me to the coneiu.
sion yesterday that you would mot be able 70 re-
ceIve the half Of It If you did nothing else before
the adjournment, and the discussion that might
arise relative TO the OF the social vice. and
the means OF reformation might last for quarter
Of q century, while we would still be waiting for
q girls reform school IN the District Of Columbia
Referring 10 the printed documents that she had
prepared she raid, 81 shall thus be able TO pre-
sent the condensed arguments In about thirty
committee, don't believe you will be able TO an
swer 1: in thirty yesrs, except by providing the
institution we ask for"
FACTS PROM MAJOR RICHARDS.
Mrs. Spencer read the following letter from
Ms jor Richards:
DEr'T OF METROPOLITAN PoLIcE,)
OFFICE OF MAJOR AND SUPEHISTESDENT,
WASHINGTON, ID. c. Feb. Is, 1876.
Mrs. SGTd J. Spencer:
MADAX: The discussion which followed you.
presentation Of facts and arguments 70 the Sen
ate Committee on the District OF Columbia come
days ago, urging upon that committee the neces-
sty Of reform school for girls in the District OF
Columbia, leads me to make g few suggestions,
which may possibly aid sou IN presenting the
practical workings of existing laws bearing upon
the unfortunate class whom you would rescue
from life OF infamy.
1 find that since entered upon its duties, some
eleven years ago, one hundred and ninety three
ton have been given. The above number Of
houses have been taken possession Of by the Do
lice under the provisions Of an &C. Of Congress,
the houses at the time Of the raid including men
and women, have been taken before courts for
trial. Very nearly an equal number OF keepers
Issued by eourts during the same period OF time.
Now, what has been the result Of all these raids
and arrests? In every case the persons arrested.
both men and women, have been taken into court
where, under our laws as they now exist,
THE MEN WERE RELEASED,
o. made witnesses against the women, and the
wimen m1lcted in tIes. These fines were paid
by the women out Of money earned through their
mode of life or their male friends" came forward
and furnished money to pay their fines for them,
thereby placing the women under renewed obli-
cations. Even more exacting and unjust than
the law were the demands of shyster lawyerswho
gathered around these unfortunate women when
arrested like hungry buzZards about fallen prey,
sraspng for Ietatners and fees for worthless ser
vices. Invariably after the payments, as above
stated, the women went back to the same course
Of life to recuperate their depleted purses and
posure the last cord that held them in restraint
was broken and all hope of restoration to kindred
AID society vanished. They have been plunged
recklesslv into life that leads to the very depths
ofhisefy Sna crime. go. -
have never, in my experience known Of one
woman being reformed or driven from the life
prostitute by arrest and punishment. Nor do
s9cS means IN this or any other a cisg
walton teaches me that in cities where these wo-
men have been pursued the most unrelentingly
through existing laws, in those very cities
PROSTITUTION is THE MOST COMMON,
and it's yotaries the most numerous and per-
sistent IN their manner of gaining a livelihood.
The great object to be attained by the insti-
tuition you ask for is the saving Of such of the
young as are especially exposed S to ssppsasion
by the seducer, but who have not entered fully
upon the life Of ceurtesan. Thus the sources
which supply e0a e Of with In
duced, and great good accomplished 10 the in.
terests Of virtue, humanity and Christianity.
bred girls in this District under the age of SIX.
teen years, Of the two classes last named who
should be gathered into a reform school tmms
diately, II they are to be saved from life Of
In cobcIusion, l wish you the most complete
and reform for the erring and exposed girls OF our
community. You deserve success, il years of toll,
unrecompenEed by pecuniary gain, and Qnsided
gather around you, can speak in behalf OF the
cause you represent None others seem to care
for these perishng girls; csrtainly none others ex
Very respectfully, A. q: RICHARDS,
Major and Superintendent.
Mr.. Spencer presented also great quantity Of
valuable testimony, and related many Incidents
coming under her observation.
When the hearing was over, the members Of the
committee said that the morning had been the
most interesting and profitable Of the session,
and that the conscience fund ought to be appro-
prated to construct the buildings asked for IL the