The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-03-07
SOCIAL SCIENCE IN BOSTON

SOCIAL SCIENCE IN BOSTON.
WO4EN IN OFFICIAL POSITIONS.
AT the recent annual meeting Of the
American Social Science Association,
held in Boston, Mr.. David A. Wells
made a brief address on taking the
chair, in which he set forth very clearly
the Importance to the country, not only
Of practical measures of economic adj
lninistration, but Of enlightening and
guiding public opinion by such Debates
as the Social Science meetings bring
out. The Secretary, after speaking OF
civil service reform, and the very slow,
yet visible, progress made In that dlrec-
tion since the close Of the war, assert
ed that civil service reform includes
much more than is generally comprel
hended in that phrase, adding: al
the methods Of administration in the
eight and thirty States Of America, in
the 1000 counties and in the $4,000
cities, townships, and villages, are sus-
ceptible of improvement, and many OF
them greatly need reformation. An
important step has been taken in Mas
saohusetts and in some ether States.
within the last ten years by the intro
duction Of women to official positions
in the management Of charitable and
penal establishments. Lately Mr. Carl
Schurz, the Secretary Of the Interior at
Washin gton, has sanctioned this
change by the appointment Of a Wo-
man as one Of the managers OF the
large Hospital for the Insane in that
city. In Massachusetts the innovation
has been gaining ground for ten years,
and is now permanently established.
CUP to the year 1867 think no sug-
gestlon had been made in any quarter
that woman should take part in the IN
spec5ion of the public charitable and
refornatory establishments, though
this was doubtless implied in the gen
eral recommendation of DR., Howe, In
his first two reports as Chairman Of the
Board Of Charities in 1866 and 1857.
In the latter year, however, it became
evident to the majority OF that board
that the cooperation Of women III this
work of official inspection was very de-
sirable, and it was then strongly urged
by Dr. Howe. s@
ON 1868 the first appointments Of
women were made as visitors Of the
State Roformatory for Girls at Lancas-
ter; III 1870 three more women were
appointed inspectors Of the county
PRISONS. a.ll0 in. 1877 another board Of
three women was established III Mass
achusetts to inspect the State aims
houses and reform schools; for 1t was
perceived iii establishments for the
support and discipline Of women and
children that the sharp eyes, coed
sense, and unerring insight OF women
are much better for the inspection OF
an almhouse, a hospital, or q school
than are the duller perceptions and the
less exacting conscience OF men.
"Ln my official visits, made during a
period OF twelve years to some hun
dreds Of public establishments, ! have
never found myself SO well acquainted
with their real condition as at those
times when some sagacious woman
was going the rounds with me. The
women who are employed as matrons,
nurses, etc., know this, and, 1t they
have anything to conceal, they dread
the visit of one woman more than that
Of seven men. On the other hand, 1t
these matrons and nurses have any
thing to tell the official inspector about
the women and children under their
care, they are more ready to say it one
Of their own sex. And even though
women should act merely as lnspec-
tors, with no share in administration,
they will more quickly secure reforms
than men, for a reason which Will pc
set forth in parable, in the seventeenth
chapter Of st. Luke: Though | fear
not God nor regard man, said the un-
just judge, yet because this woman
troubleth me / will avenge her, lest by
her continual coming she weary me.
There is q gentle pelsistency in the
remonsuances of women against
Wrong-doing which is much harder fol
men to resist than is the request Of
nl8n, and especially Of men in office. /
should therefore expect, even If the
present clumsy machinery Of our char,
liable system is left unchanged, that
| the addition Of such a board Of women
as was Iastye appointed would make
1 it move brislkly and with better re
suits, and not prove a mere fifth
wheel added to. the coach. Wherever
women Of the right sort are intrustet
with such work, I have noticed tina
there is presently a spirit within thu
wheels which quiclZens ana c0rrect'
the whole machine. - Inter Ocean
Triple Sheet.