The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-04-25

POLICE STATION WORK.
From the time of the organization of our
temperance society one OF its aims has been to
care for unfortunate women" so that the ac-
cusation which Is sometimes made that two
men work for the reformation of men to ths
neglect OF their own sex, cannot be made
against the W. @. T. U. When the coffee
house was in existence many woman re-
ceiyed substantial aid, work, food and good
advice, which prevented crime and sin, and
others were lifted UP who had taken the first
downward steps. In 1877 the society secured the
services of an efficient matron at the police
station, and by cooperating with her and her
successor the reformatory influence exerted
has been beyond our most sanguine expecta.
tions 1t is estimated that one eighth OF all
the women brought to the station have been
permanently benefited, When we consider
the class of women We have aided, this seems
wonderful statement, but 1t is because of the
untiring efforts which have been made in their
behalf. While at the station, food, clothing
and every care that is possible Is given TO
them. II woman is incorporate she is urged
to sign the pledge, and in this connection
would mention with gratitude the great help
which we have had from the Catholic priests
in demanding pledges from their people. A
woman once under the care of the society is
never lost sight Of. II living in the city she is
frequently visited work furnished and every
inducement offered for her TO lead a sober, re-
spectacle life. Homes are found in the conn
try for those who need to be taken away from
old associates, and to the honor OF the Chris
tian women throughout the Stale, be II said
that scores OF home have been opened to re-
oeive these lost sheep" whore they have
been patiently taught TO earn respectable liv-
log. Sometimes II has been necessary to fur
nish rooms in the city for a short time when
medical attendance was necessary, or In pecu-
liar cases, and until this last year the society
has paid for two or more rooms, so that in any
emergency there could be home ready for
any unfortunate women who needed care and
protection. As a rule, these rooms have been
needed but few days or q week until home
In the country could be found. or the woman
sent TO her own home, but there have been
Cases where the rooms have been occupied for
two and three months, and all the needs OF the
woman supplied by the society. Sometimes
the women find temporary shelter in the homes
of members OF the society. Sick ana inhrm
persons, who are travelling through the ets /
aud seek lodgings at the tation, are furnished
with food, ''passes" on the rAilroadsland steam
boats have been secured, and kind care given
in every instance.
At the Jail, house of correction aud Greedy
Hospital, women are often found who thar k
fully receive the help extended. Children
who are in danger Of falling into vice are ar
rested, on complaint OF members Of tn. socie-
ty. and sentenced TO the Industrial School.
These are furnished food and homes, while the
necessary clothing is being made for them.
This in brief is an outline Of the police station
work, work which has justly become ineor-
posased as branch Of the National W. @. 7.
U. Providence, Boston, Chicago aud Cleve-
land have police matrons, while ia Baltimore,
Washington and other large cities effort is be-
ing made TO have them appointed under the
direction OF the w. c. T. U. We can take
just pride in the fact that the work originated
ia Portland. Mrs. Barney as National Super
intendent, urges the necessity of Temporary
Homes as adjuncts Of this work. until perma-
nent homes can be- foand and of Industrial
Houses, in localities where permanent homes
cannot be secured. George William Curtis in
the Harper for December says:
A wise proposition during the year to pro
vide women at the police stations for the ex-
animation of women who are arrested failed to
become law. Ii Is hard, upon the merits of
the proposal, to understand why. Women
who are arrested may be criminals, or drunk
ards, or vagabonds, or insane. or witless or
sick. But whatever the reason OF the arrest,
there can be no good reason whatever, in a truly
civilized community, that woman taken an-
der such circumstances should be abandoned to
personal search and examination by the kind
of men to whom that business is usually ailot-
ted. The surest sign Of the civilization of any
community is its treatment of women, and the
progress OF our civilization Is shown by the
constant amelioration Of their condition.