Connecticut western news., 1880-10-13
BOFFIN'S BOWER,
The Tenth Annual Report Regarding
 that COmmon-Sense Charity.

Miss Jennie Collins, whose ten year
 of endeavor for the welfare of the work ing girls of Boston are known by host
 of people all over New England, ha
 just issued the tenth annual report (
 Bofin's Bower,' so successfully COT
 ducted. She says: "There are bu
 two classes of working girls who com
 from the country. The first is of supe
 rior talent, and seeks broader field an
 grander mission in the city Of Bosto
 than her country town can afford. Tn
 second class Is already condemned bE
 the sentiments of her associates befor
 she leaves her native place. But in fhi
 connection l feel in duty bound to mak
 answer once for all to the most foolish
 nonsensical can't that has passed curren
 for aanumber of years from lip to. lip
 that 1t is the custom for an employer.t,
 say to a young woman T wilr>pa,
 you so much, g.; but she says, 'That
 will only pay my board 'Then VOL
 must have friend outside that will fur
 n1sh you clothing, as other girls do.'
 am free to say that the man would be .
 marvel of courage who would dare tc
 make such speech to the average young
 woman of this city. On the other hand
 If he was mean enough to make such { l speech he would not be tolerated in thf
 business community by his own asso
 clates for an instant. But then comes
 the remark, Where do they get thei,
 rich dresses and costly laces ? We know
 their salary does not supply that Tc
 which answer, that I have made it my 1 business to inquire into the personelle
 ot the saleswomen so refined, graceful
 and tastily dressed. The result of the investigation proves them to be con. nected by kindred or marriage with the most distinguished families in the State. including judges, bankers, merchants, retired gentlemen, professors of college. and one direct descendant from the proudest Governor that Massachusetts ever had. Superiority in all things is inherent to them.
 "There is another picture, however. which IS not so pleasant. Iwould direct attention to the pernicious system of entrapping young girls one by one to become inmates of the 'gilded palaces, as 1t should be known that strenuous effort is necessary to supply the demand for innocent victims. One of the oues- t1onable women, of smooth tongue and fascinating manners, is sent into the workshops, to church picnics, temper ance unions, even Sabbath schools. She ingratiates herself, selects what she can. invites them to visit her sister, who will charge no board,' and make their stay very pleasant. When she succeeds Tn persuading one to accompany her, the girl IS locked in, and is then furnished at the expense of the proprietor with gaudy raiment, and told that she will be expected to pay for it, the amount rarely less than $5 or BIO. If she proves un- manageable, she is drugged; but in all cases her escape is impossible. She is kept in debt from week to week, and neither pen nor tongue can describe the cruelty to which the poor prey is sub ject7d by the wicked woman who keeps the house. If they become broken in spirit and dissatisfied with the surround ings, they are set upon and persecuted until they leave of their accord-not to reform, but to hire a lodging-room, go out on the street, and follow in the long nrORncc1nT1 +o Miss Collins notes the increased pros- perity of emplo yers and employees, and says, in answer to the question, "What do you do for the girls ?" I endeavor to make myself a speaking, thinking, working encyclopedia. I know what every girl wants better than she knows how to ask for it, and I have the re- sources of this city to draw from for her benefit, including the State and city I cannot speak in terms too l highly of Dr. Henry B. Wheelwright, ! Superintendent of the State Board of 1 Health, Lunacy and Charity, and Ben amin Pettee, Esq, the gentlemanly, efficient Secretary of the Overseers of the Poor of the City of Boston. It is a pleasure to present case to them, as both gentlemen have such fine discrim- nation, and never unnecessarily wound he feelings of the most sensitive appli- ant.
 The State and city work together as me establishment. They exchange notes nd consult records, thereby preventing much waste to the State and inconve- lience to the applicant The most worthy cases will never allow them elves, their poverty and distress to be for the benefit of any institu- ion. I have been told that when a voman is sent to Deer Island as a crimi- lal, kindly interest is felt in her well are If she passes through the dignity of
 court trial. no matter how many times he returns as an offender of the law ut when she sinks to the level of a 'auper, she passes out of sight, and is 'nly known by Cit and ssit's" num- 'er. Iii view of that state of feelinp. T would suggest different mode of heip- ng extreme cases. Call them pension IFS, wards, proteges of the State but he word "pauper" should be expunged rom our statute books, 1t is so obnox- ous to people who have placed around o many safeguards to our legal rights. The free dinners, last year, given to . working girls at the Bower numbered ,7O0. The employment department as been patronized as usual. The umber of applicants for girls from Nay 30, 1879, to May 30, 1880, was ,37O in person or by written communi- { ation, and 1, 40 girls have also made pplications. That number means sev- ral thousand visits to the Bower. Hitherto" Miss Collins says, "I have