The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-13
THE FEMALE PREPARATORY.
Newspaper Comment Upon Mrs. Rhoda
M. Coff1n's Resignation.

The resignation of Mrs. Rhoda NJ. Coffin
the Female Reformatory has occasioned
much newspaper comment, all of which is
unpleasant because of the extreme delicacy
of the subject The Femal Reformatory of
Indiana, though no longer an experiment as
a successful penal Institution, is the first in
the world. Though early thought idle and
visionary, time has abundantly tested its
sterling qualities. 1t is now a legiti-
mate matter of State pride. The great
idea was conceived by Mrs. Smith, the
present Matron of the Institution. I'M
PEELED wholly by desire to benefit the
fallen and unfortunate of her sex, she laid
her plans before the General Assembly. and
made the way clear. This woman's force of
character and executive ability have brought
order out of chaos, illustrating the practical
bility of one of the highest Christian senti-
ments. Mrs. Smith is and has been from
the first the soul of the Institution" Mrs.
Hendricks and Mrs. DOdd yesterday united
in saying to a Sentinel reporter. This is
given to show in what esteem she is held,
how completely her services are appreciated
and as a denial of the assertion that she will
be asked to vacate. Her management, TO
the friends of the Institution and those best
highest satisfaction and pride. For her,
both of the ladies emphasized their re-
spect: There has been no disagreement
among the ladies of the Board" said Mrs.
Dodd, except upon financial matters. Mrs.
Hendricks was unwilling that that the ex-
penditures in any contingency should ex-
coed the appropriation. She opposed the
making of debts on any pretext. She in
sisted that the Institution should live with
in ia moi hy Init,
serious objections. On question of food,
clothing and dicipline, all was harmoni-
Gus"
The office of President of the Board is
simply honorary; the only duties attaching
to it are ministerial. 1t gives no scope be.
yond that possessed By any other member
for perfecting or carrying out reforms.
1t was Mrs. Dodd who nominated Mrs.
Hendricks. She thought that lady, she
says, in view Eof the fact that
the Institution was founded during
the administration of Governor Hem
bricks, the anxiety that it had cost both
herself and her husband Justly entitled to
the honor. Mrs. Coffin had held it for four
years. very satisfactorily, true, but surely ro-
tation in such offices and under such circum-
stances is eminently right and proper" No
one imagined that Mrs Coffin would hold
on to the office so tenaciously or accept the
nomination of any other member as per-
sOnal affrOnt Rather than serve in any
other capacity than that of President of the
Board, she chose to resign. The Presidency
clothed her with no additional power for
being of service to the Institution.
lit is very humiliating," said Mrs. Hen
bricks, Ito be paraded in the newspapers,
and / much deplore the erroneous impress
sion that may go abroad. If, for a moment
had thought that resignation might be
one of the results, OF even feeling
awakened. | could not have been induced
to have permitted the use of my name. The
ReformatOry has accomplished more than
its best friends ever dared to hope. What it
has done for the good of those unfortunates
is marvellous. In the united struggle for
success, if anything hitherto unpleasant
has occurred, it was not noticed"
4 faithful history of the Institution will
disclose the fact that everything of a parti-
san character has been carefully excluded
To have made it place for political reward
would not have conduced to its health and
growth; it would also have been in poor
taste. The care was completely surrendered
to the ladies. 1t called out all of their pride
They have shown themselves to possess a
rich fund of caution and resolution and all
the elements of executive ability. The re-
cent Legislative investigation has served to
show their success in greater strength.
1t is magnificent illustration, not
only of woman's actual progress,
bat also of her possibilities.
1t is station that signals the advancement
of this age. 1t is a REPUTATION of the idle
assertion that woman is womans greatest
enemy. Its success shows that the most po-
tent help for those whom we call fallen
women comes from the wisdem and strength
of her own sex. These are a few of the rea-
sons why sensations gotten up at the ex-
pense of the Reformatory are so cruel and
heartless.