New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-04
REFORMING BAD WOMEN.

PLANS OF THE COMMITTEE OF FIVE APPOINTED BY
THE GOVERNOR TO SELECT A SITE FOR RE.
FORMATORY.
Governor Cornell in May last appointed com
House of Refuge for Women to he built by the
State. The committee is Edward Clark, of Coopers.
Hicks, of Old West6ury; Mrs. c. s. S Spencer and
Mrs. Egbert Guernsey, of New-York. A TRIBUNE
reporter recently conversed with Mrs Guernsey. the
secretary OF the committee with regard to the
institution and its proposed work.
Have you selected site for the building 7" he
asked.
1--WE have had over hundred proposals. and are
now visiting the most promising places, but have
not decided upon any. We have seen several
desirable situations near Saratoga. at New Ham
burg, Do6bs Terry, and tomorrow shall visit
place on Staten Island. The trouble is the people
wants to appropriate 800. 900 for the ground and
building. Now if some charitable person would
situation near good stream of water it would
amply repay him in n few years by thu good it
What is the treatment proposedf"
1t VIII lie similar 20 chat IN the Indiana Re-
formatory for Women. That running SIX
years with very satisfactory results. There are 200
inmates. Only two men are employed on the prem
lses-one is the engineer and the other is night
Waterman. The first work done by convict upon
entering is laundry work 1t has been found that
washing has a subluIng effect. All the clothing
worn there is made by the women. As reward for
good conduct they are allowed to work out Of
doors. They take care of the cows and horses. and
till the ground. Some are educated to teach school,
where they may earn an honest living"
,os Az what age Will the women be seEt to this
"Between the ages of fifteen and thirty, and they
VIII remain from one to five years. Indiana. Ohio,
Massachusetts and Canada have similar instltu-
tions, and 1t is too bad that NewYork has not had
one before this time. The expense of getting
started III Massachusetts was $500, 600 and unless
we receive gilt of the land have not more than
one-iourth the money needed.
" Is il designed for the women from this city r.
" Not at present. only for those outside OF New
10 Ina
fnll without taking any from here. However. we
shall enlarge fast possible better vet, if
the first one Is the State is large enough
to have three or four such refonatores"
" How great per cent has been reformed in
other institutions I"
In Indiana So per cent and only one person
has been recommitted in the six years"
Have you received any plans for the buildingp
Not yet We are in hopes that the land that is
gwen us; wholly or III part, may have buildings
upon 1t that may be rciitted for our purpose"
Governor Cornell Controller Wadsworth, Judge
Sacbett and Mr.. Hicks yesterday visited the prop
erty owned by the StaIe on Staten Island relative
TO devot:ng part of it to this purpose. Judge
Sackett stated TO a TRIBUNE reporter that he did
not think the site would answer. 1t is too near
New York. situation mp the Hudson would be
more acceptable. The Cornwall Mountain House
has been offered. but il costs So 600 and the
buildings are worthless for this object, it will not
he visited. The building to be used must be fire.
proof and the partition walls of brick to prevent
escapes The property must be in a good situation,
both; II must lie purchased cheaply, as the amount
to lac expended is limited The law states that il
shall not be In New-lCrk City III Brooklyn.
To-day several places Will he visited on the Hud-
SON Yesterday the committee was offered fifty
acres OF land seven miles back of West Point which
Will be visited.