The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-23
THE POLICE mATRon.
Hearing Before the Committee on
Police.


Yesterday afternoon the ladies' OF the
Women's Christian Temperance Union ap-
peared before the committee on police, at
the Aldermen's room, for a hearing upon
their petition asking that Mrs. Raymond,
who was formerly police matron, should
be appointed TO that ofice by the present
city government
Mayor Melcher read the petition to the
ladies and gentlemen. and members Of the
committee, stating the object Of the hearing.
Mrs. George s. Hunt, president Of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, then
addressed the meeting. She referred to the
fact that in Mayor Buffers day that gentle
man thought, as the society did. that the
work Of properly looking after women
brought to the police station could not be
properly carried on without the cooperation
Of the Union. During the time the Union
had charge Of the matron no complaints
were made, and 1t was generally conceded
that the work was well done by the matron
and tnat u was good Idea 10 have the
Union back Of her. The person filling the
Office, to be successful, must be In sympathy
with the work. The matron, when under
the soeiety's charge always found out all
taken to the station. how they got into bad
company, and then such influences were
brought to bear upon her that II IL was
possible TO reclaim her, she was reclaimed.
Mrs. l.. M. n. Stevens spoke Of the pride
the Union had always taken In the police
matron. The office was one OF their creation,
1t originated here and from its establish
ment in Portland, police matrons had been
appointed in leading cities Of the country
and had become national in character. Il
fully illustrated the principle that women
best understand the needs Of women A
woman arrested here, whose case came un-
der the charge Of our police matron. at
traeted attention In Lewiston, and for seven
years, as result, Lewiston had possessed
police matron who, the w. @. II. IT,, Of that
city, Is requested to nominate. Auburn
wanted one, and would have had one by the
reauest OF her citizens, II the arrests Of
females had warranted the oface;
great faith in the vital principle OF women
working for women, the sound sense OF
which had been exemplifed. Mrs. Stevens
then spoke of Mrs. Crocker, former mat
ron, and said she served admirably for
while. Then Mrs. Raymond came on trial.
She came highly recommended, and was ft
ted for the Office by disposition aud environ
ment. For six or seven years she filed the
position admirably, and no adverse criticisms
of her work were. heard. The society was
greatly astonIshed when they heard she had
been superseded. The entire press OF this
city sided with the society. It Is by intern.
perance that most Of the women who get in
to the station, come there, and II seems emil
nently hitting that the Union should have a
voice In the selection Of the matr0n who Is
to look after them. She Is under the super
vision Of the City Marshal; the society don't
pretend to interfere. We urge, said Mrs.
Stevens, Mrs. Raymond's appointment on
the score OF fitness. III any one can show
ment.
Mrs. Hunt here said that year ago she
went TO the deputy marshal and he said he
never heard anything against Mrs. Ray
mond, and the same testimony was given By
the sheriff and the oyerseers Of Che poor.
Judge Bonney had testified 10 the great val
ue Mrs. Raymond's record OF cases Of wOm-
en- committed 70 jail had been 70 him. Mrs.
Stevens spoke. OF the good work done by
Miss Patrick, the first matr0n, and OF Mrs.
Croeker, who afterwards, at the request Of
the Mayor Of Brooklyn, went 10 that city 10
be their first police matron. She Mrs. Ste
vens) then recited a case Of petty larceny,
charged 70 young girl OF this city, who. u
been sent 10 jail, and probably forced 10 be-
come a criminal. Later, the woman who
charged her with the larceny found the
goods.
the oyerseers Of the poor. to Mrs. Raymond's
efficiency, and said he had only one criticism
to make, and that was that at first Mrs. Ray
mond was apt to send girls to the Industrial
School who had no pauPer settlement In
he called her attention to the matter.
Upon being asked what objection was
had to the present incumbent OF
the Office Mrs. Hunt thought there was no
experience, or interest In refOrmatOry work
on the part Of Mrs. Perry.
Mayor Melcher asked II Mrs. Raymond
was the only woman the Union would feel
like recommending, and Mrs Hunt said she
was the only one they had to recommend
then.
The Mayor then explained there might be
members Of the Board OF Aldermen, mem
bers Of former city government. who might
not feel like taking Mrs. Raymond. and that
was why he asked the question.
Mrs. Hunt didn't wish II 10 20 on record
as saying that Mrs. Raymond was the only
woman the Union could propose, but she
was the best equipped for the place.
Rev. Mr.. Blanchard said, as a citizen, but
not as spokesman for the Union, except a.
one deeply interested In their work, he
would call attention TO the fact that Mrs.
Raymond was deposed from ofice for two
reasons: lst because certain member Of a
former city government wished % punish
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
and secondly to enable Grand Army mans
widow 10 secure a berth.
Mrs Stevens, while feeling Indebted 10
Mr.. Blanchard foe the interest he had al
ways taken In the society, said he was un-
authorized In bringing up anything OF po-
litieal nature In this matter. The society
asked for the right TO name the matron ON
what they thought was principle.
Ii also came out on the hearing that the
cost OF maintaining the matrOns Is much
over the salary $500, but the extra amount
the society had always paid, besides buying
food, etc, for the women committed TO the
station and Jail. Also that prior 10 last year
the office Of police matron was not city Of
flee.
The hearing here closed.