The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-30
THE FEMALE REFORMATORY.
The Annual Report Of the Operations of the
Institution Made by the Various officers.

Governor Porter has received the thirteenth
Snnual report of the operations of the State Re-
formatory Institution for Women and Girls
very comprehensive and complete documents.
The board of managers, Mesdames Eliza G. Hen
bricks Mary E. Burson and Clara A Walker
give an account of the resignation of the former
superintendent Mrs. Smith, and the appoint
ment in her place of Mrs. Almira l.. johnson
Other appointments were made during the year
as follows; Mrs. Martha NJ. Pray, assistant
superintendent; Mrs. Emma A. Winsor, steward
sand clerk, 800 per annum; Margaretta S. Scott
teacher, salary 1920 Mrs. E. F. Tarlton, matron,
h$420; Mrs NJ Carrie Swing teacher. 5000. and
Miss Laura Sheridan, Gaming teacher, $24O
There are eleven resident and three nonresident
officers and employees.
In the penal department there are now so in
mates, 81 having been received and % discharged
during the past year There were Is recommit
ments on second, third and fourth conviction,
and the responsibility for these, it is thought,
can be attributed to short sentences. Through
a mistaken sense of mercy the managers say,
Judges take off from the period of sentence
whenever possible, whereas it would be fer the
good of the sentenced, as we'll as of society,
If they received the longest possible sentence,
and could be held until at least the appetite for
strong drink, opiates, and other excuses had
been successfully controlled They have the
stigma cast upon them by the commitment, but
not sufficient time given them for reformation"
In the reformatory department there are 142
girls, 48 Of whom were received during the year,
20 discharged and 80 released on tickets ofleave.
The average number of inmates in both depart
ments is log Sixty-three girls are now out on
tickets ofleave throughout the State, and are
reported as having good homes and doing well.
The managers recommend that tho next Legisla-
ture provide accommodations on the cot
tage plan, for all the inmates OF the reform de-
partment, SO that the present building can be
used exclusively for the penal department. The
disposition to be made of idiotic and weak
minded girls is regarded by the board as very
serious question. mo reformation they say,
sis possible for them. The Feeble minded In
Stitution does not receive them, the Insane
Asylum harbors them but for a short time, and
then they go out to fall the easy prey OF de-
PRAYED characters. Yet it is manifestfy i'm
proper that they should be kept in the midst OF
other children"
The financial exhibit of the institution is made
as follows: During the year So, 437. 56 was re-
ceived for work of inmates, and 81, 4l2. SO paid
out for material The collections made from
counties by the Treasurer of State, on account
OF the institution, during the past year, amount
ed to So 906 II There was expended for repairs
and Improvements $3,871.n No especial re-
pairs are in view for the coming year The ex-
penditures, including all salaries, repairs, and
improvements amounted to $27, % during
the year, which was overdrawn from the State
Treasury. Deducting $3871.78 the sum ex-
pended in repair, leaves the cost of support,
salaries ETC., 1913 1861 The total expense to
the State, deducting the earnings and the amount
paid by counties, $13, 369.8l, for clothing, sup
port, and care of 1876 inmates-or 95 each
per annum. 1t is recommended that $50, 600 be
appropriated for the next years general expenses,
and So 900 for hospital cottage
Appended to above the reports of DR.. Max
well, the physician, and Mrs. Winsor, clerk,
which give itemized account of the expend-
itures