The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-29
srfrE IASrITUTIOSs.
4 Forcible Argument Ina Favor of Employ
ing Women in enaie Departments.

ing Women in Iemaie Departments.
TO the Editor of The Times:
Sir.-The appointment OF investigating
committees by the Legislature. looking
/ 10 Improvements I'm State institutions,
/ taken i'm connection with the fact that
charges OF The grdNcst character have
been made against some of such institute
lions, mas ADDED to the feeling of anN-
/ iety ana restlessness in the pubic NINA
which will never bee relieved until some
remedy Is found with which the luhlc
is satisfied. There Is Il gro Wing letllnS OF
dissatisfaction with present plans which
expresses itself in belief ln all wills
pers of whatever evil chutdci ef lAey
may be that come from "ehind tlcseI
doors where secrecy Us planned.
The public believes that secrecy
means something to hidc, and that
some thing is something wrong me
public interest has become MOI nic. ana
no tale OF cruelty II immoiahty ls 700
horrible Tor belief. In all our lnsGtu-
lions whether educal Jeal. prot give, or
penal, are men and women IN charge OF
men. and in some ridt-s e. 90 tnlN.
In some Of these institutions the women
are physically. and in some mentally,
incapable Of making complaint or out
cry II allude 20 deai-mutes ana insane
women. Their helplessneSs appeals more
strongly than any voice could speak.
Doubtlcse iu many cases there is little
foundation for rumOrs OF cNll dolhs'
which seem almost cpidemlc. around
places Wlere people arc lpihfA iii d-eiii'N
their Will but the fact remains lHat
these rumOrs arc distressing and shame
ful, and some means should uc dtNlstd
TO stop them. The public VIII not ut
satisfied with any report made 10y a.
BOARD of Visitors. knowing that all @uch
repOrts must bc superficial and nccfs-
sarilv imperfect. True or false tas
charges of character so grave ds 10
o.. .rc investigation may hel, the iact
that they have been made b. damaging
10 I4 q lad
individuals concerned In them. There is
only one sure remedy for the most
serious and shameful charge. yet MADE
against the present management OF our
Women and men should not De TO-
Fother, neither should men nave chai se
of women in any such institution. lel
women watch over and guard women.
Have women teach and care for the deaf
and dumb and bind Of their own sex.
Let the State provide some place TOT
insane women. awaiting place ~ nos
pital. other than a jail. kept by men
dnlv. The state cannot afford 10 bear the
cprObium. the disgrace, OF such rlmolS'
such charges as have been recently
made. which. shameful as II is are some
times true.
ladies' of the State that this is one OF
woman's rights and ought not 10 ne
denied or deferred any longer rms
change should be made for the neneNt
of officials If nothing else for grievous
wrongs may have been done from lhe
disposition of the public 20 believe
every thing IL hears. women are btlliS
educated i'm an lines Of business, and
are capable or doing their service TO
the state. and they will do IL, and "oIk
for less money than men. as You know.
The Legislature may hesitate about max
ing such changes as this would Pee. but
though deferred they VIII lheNildnly
come. and why not come now
Four years ago, after an investigating
committee had been sent 10 the women
ward of the penitentary TO look into
grave charges upon the request Of "A
committee Of ladies, the legislature
granted them "a matron." The eN-
pense is trihing; the result entirely salts
factory. No rumors or charges nave
since come from the women's depart
ment OF our great States prison
As has been said, il Is now very dllh-
cult 10 get the deaf dumb. and blind
sent TO the asylum for education. That
difncultv will be removed 10y this change.
in the case OF girls. whose parents
naturally hesitate about sending their
helpless. unfortunate ones from the safe
shelter Of home. Let us have some new
plans. learn from experience. Make our
laws so that they viii accelerate. not pre-
vent the march Of improvement We
" III not then need 50 many lnvesueatlns !
The public mind will be az !
rest. The State will save money. ana. |
perhaps. some worthy man be saved from |
a furnished reputation.
Yours for truth and right.
MRS. NJ. II. WHITEHEAp.
Press Supt. w. G. T. L.