Morning journal and courier., 1893-12-20
TO KEEP GIRLS OFFTHE STREET.

AN Interesting Interview With |
Superintendent Preston of the Or |
ganlzed Charities.
The question of what to do with the |
young girls of the city who are daily grow
Ing up without any sort of moral educa-
ton, and are spending their evenings on
the streets, is one which is being seriously
considered by philanthropio citizens
throughout New Haven, and plans are be-
ing made to provide some sort of place
where such young girls can spend their
evenings, and at the same time secure the
rudiments of good education as we'll as
instruction in sewing, fancy work, ETC.,
and at the same time spend pleasant
evening far removed from the temptations
of the streets.
The number of young girls who are to
be found upon the streets of the city after
nightfall is increasing to an alarming e1-
tent, and some heroic measures must be
adopted to meet the situation as 1t presents
itself. The majority of these girls are
those who are employed in factories or
stores during the day and when their work
is done are compelled to return to home
which is such in name only, and where
none of the refining influences of life are
to be found. As result these young girls
are compelled to seek recreation and amuse-
ment upon the streets of the city, and in
many instances this search eliminates in q
life of shame and a dishonored and dis
graceful death. Such cases are much too
frequent to necessftate any special particu-
larizing of individual cases..
How shall this problem be met, is the
question which number of people inter-
ested in good works are asking themselves.
The formation of girls clubs is suggested
and met with the reply that already num-
Der of such clubs are In existence in this
city and are doing vast deal of effective
work in this line. It Is impossible, how
ever, to reach all girls in this way and the
plans of the citizens having the subject at
heart is understood to be the formation of
near the center Of this city, where these
girls can spend the evenings and where at
fractions of sufficiently attractive nature
will be offered to keep them off the streets.
It is m ore than probable that within few
days public meeting of all charitable per-
sons interested in the formation of such a
plan will be held and the scheme assume
definite shape.
In speaking of the matter to COURIER
reporter last evening Superintendent Pres
ton of the Organized Charities, who is deep
ly interested in the matter, said:
"The attention of the public should be
called to the number of young girls who
frequent our streets and seem to fall an
easy prey to the ibertines who are con-
stantly on the alert for new victims
was only few months ago called to visit
q sick woman at a hotel on Union street.
On knocking at the door was invited to
enter. The sick woman, girl of nine
teen, was suffering from the results of an
evil life, and was attended by girl about
seventeen years old, who was dressed ir
the most immodest manner and who was
apparently perfectly Indifferent as to bel
appearance. Both of these girls were Of
respectable parentage, but had been ruined
| by evil associa' ions.
The hotel seemed to be openly disrepu
table. The proprietor made no objection
| to the statement that his rooms were fire.
| quently occupied by girls of this class, bu
| feebly denied that men visited them there
| While I, in company with the physician
| was examining the sick woman the dool
| was opened without ceremony by mel
| who seemed to freely range the house. On,
was colored and seemed perfectly at hom'
| in this girls apartment. A few days late1
| my attention was called to the case of ,
| girl of fifteen whose mother found he,
unmanagesble. The Sunday night previous
she was gone all night. Upon ex
animation this young person stated
that while returning from church
| on the night in question she met studen
| with whom she had slight acquaintanc,
and he treated her several times. He.
recollection of what occurred thereafter
| was dim, but the next morning she awoke
l to find herself in room in ahotel near tn,
one previously referred to. Iam informed
that these cases are not unusual. That II
houses of this class no questions are asked
and that the age of the girl is not re
marked If the rates are promptly paid.
Whatever the sentiment may be in re
gard to women of mature age it certainl,
seems as if there should be some way b
be punished for completely in the ruiz
of children. The trouble begins man
times In bad homes. The girls seek recrt
alton on the street and are picked up"
the men who are laying in wait. Some
times an older girl is the agent. A ROOF
is hired, wine and liquor supplied until
reluctant consent Is secured and the rui
effected. Once started the downfall
rapid, and next there Is story of "a gil
missing" who is traced to a house of
fame and then lost sight Of. This cond
| tlOQ OF aHalrS may DS femeQleQ In som
degree by the furnishing of legitimat
amusements through the multiplication {
girls clubs. The success which has q
tended those already established ought t
encourage new ventures. The King
Daughters and associations of similar cha
acter might we'll introduce this featute /
connection with their work. The plan
simple. A room is rented, furniture an
decorations are donated, musical instr,
ment hired and judicious person selecte
to superintend. The cost of maintail
ance is divided pro rata. AS these are NJ
charitable institutions. but rather societie
for mutual help, ladies of education an
culture find this a means of benefttin
their less favored sisters and the effect
the whole is to bring about better unde
standing of each other and their interd
pendence. Certainly something should I
done to counteract the present evil Unfit
ences.
MIR. CamPton a Little Easier.
HARTFORD, Dec. 19-Thomas J. Can
pion, the we'll known newspaper man an
connected with the Times of this city, wh
is dangerously i'll with the grip In the hoI
pital in this city, was resting comfortabl
this evening and physicians said that the,
had been no change in his condition.
| THE RH An vAruHv ~nNu aNv