The record-union., 1896-12-01

schools should be maintained to the ex-
tent of furnishing pupils with good
common school education, and no child
should be allowed to leave the instltu-
ton without being able to read and
write WELL
Library facilities should be increased
by the addition of new books, current
magazines. etc. Reading rooms are en-
tfrely lacking at the present time. and
it is recommended that one be equipped
at the earliest possible moment
REFORM IN GIRLS DEPARTMENT.
The following reforms are recon-
mended in the girls department: Looms
for carpet weaving should be set up
Knitting machines should be introduced
and pupils taught how to operate them.
Expert dressmaking and tailoring
should be taught. Plain cooking is al
ready taught, but as an absolute sci
ence 1t is not treated. Clay modelling
and wood carving should be taught.
Dairy work in all it's branches and
Horticulture and gardening should be
introduced.
THE PUNISHMENT OF GIRLS.
Il want to say right here" the re-
port continues, that the girls at Whit
tier have heretofore been outrageously
and brutally punished and neglected,
Tor which hold the management re-
sponsible. Solitary confinement in
cell and corporal punishment with the
strap have been wrongfully reSorted to.
The dark cell and the contrivances of
brute force are not SO much terrors to
them, but are natural enemies that
cause them to fight and resist. Such
may do in some cases for adult and ma
tured depravity, but as a system of dis
clpline for wayward children it is bar
bariSm and a relic Of the dark ages
which is disgrace to modern civiliZa-
ton. The remedy for all this, repeat,
is firm kindness and deprivation of priv
ileges The heart of a child is a strange
kingdom, but love will find it's way and
win.
Furthermore, these girls have been
absolutely neglected in respect to their
personal needs. Recently in supervis-
ing an inventory of this department 1
found that many of the girls were in
rags and tatterS and in absolute need
of sufficient clothing, and they have no
proper change Of either outer or un-
derwear. New outfits should be imme-
diately provided. and there should
De change in the character
and pattern Of the uniform
dresses. For these reasons I must ear
pestly urge more liberal expenditure for
the needs of these girls.
REFORMS.
"AS fn Yaforr,c +b;c r
have supervised a change of manage
ment there, authorized by the Board
of Trustees. in which have faith, and
which l believe, if properly supported
by the Trustees and superior officers,
Will reorganize this department and
remedy the evils which have produced
SO many complaints.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL AND RE-
FORMATORY FOR GIRLS.
The foregoing references to condi-
tions in the Girls Department at Whit
tier, to my mind, furnish the strongest
argument I could present for an in
dependent institution for girls and
young women, under an independent
management at lone, or elsewhere, and
which 1 trust you will use your inf1u-
ence and great Offices to bring about
By establishing this department under
Independent management I believe it
would not only be better for the girls,
but more economical for the State"
After giving her ideas concerning
punishment and reform in the present
methods employed at the school, Mrs
Mitchell takes up the question Of con-
solidating the Preston and Whittier
schools and establishing them at Ed
ridge. She says:
CONSOLIDATION.
"In my opinion the Whittier State
School and the Preston School of In
dustry should be consolidated. The
site of the Whittier is insufficient, and
the superintendent urges the purchase
of more land, and water cannot be ,se-
cured except by large outlay. The To-
cation selected for the site Of the Pres
ton School is not the most desirable
and convenient. and the land compris-
ing 1t is not generally fertile
In the end she recommends that the
two schools be consolidated and estab-
lished at Eldridge.
GIRLS REFORMATORY.
AS to the Girls Reformatory, Mrs.
Mitchell contends that it should be re-
moved to lone and a separate institution
established there for the care and re-
form of female delinquents from IL to
21 years of age.