Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-07

twenty. 1 called upon and wrote to the
judge of the Police Court who committed
the girl TO the school. and begged him in
person and by letter not TO send the girl
to the school. Such a girl can accomplish
no end of evil. The building is constructed
in such a way that unless the girl is shut
up in her own room continually she must
associate with the little girls tsome only
twelve years of age), who have done MOTH
ing worse than to he wild and unmanage-
able and beyond the control of their parents
or guardians:
Work of Reformat ton.
The latter class of girls can he re-
formed. but a hardened criminal known in
the lowest dens of Washington. such as
is often sent US by the courts. not only
cannot be reformed. but is only happy
when she gets hold of girls at the school
who trying TO do well and does all in
her power to make others as bad as her
self We have had riots. though that may
be rather strong term: We have had es-
capes. as statistics will show: We have
Lad two girls sent to the Albany county
penitentiary by the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia for arson. in all of
which cases the trouble be directly
traced to girls who are not fit to be sent
to reformatory institution. Yet if the
courts send girls TO the school the trustees
can do nothing but receive them. ! agree
entirely with the superintendent. who sug-
gests that the age of admission should be
reduced from eighteen to sixteen years
and the age of dismissal from twenty-one
to eighteen years. Even then il would not
he wise TO send girls TO the school who
have served jail sentences
The District is filled with a large class
of girls, white well as colored who are
not criminals and yet need the care and
protection and instruction which our in
stitution furnishes. i'm order to make them
good and useful women. L have visited
sereral reformatory institutions which
have national reputation for the good
work done in them. In no instance as far
as observed, were criminals of the worst
type allowed to mngle with those who had
been committed for minor offenses. the
dl1Ierent classes are separated. As | have
above stated, the building is constructed
III such a manner that IT is impossible
10 separate girls. They are Obliged TO use
The same laundry. the same kitchen the
same dining room and the same school
room The institution is not large enough
10 ADMIT hardened criminals and as long
as TINS Is done with the present accom-
modaticns there is sure to be trouble and
characterization. If Congress should in
crease the capacity of the school, then a
bul!dlng could be constructed where good
and bad girls might be kept apart In
that case the law as it exists regarding the
age of admission and dismissal might well
stand"
More Buildings and, land Wanted.
Mr. Endicott then calls attention 10 the
report of the superintendent. He saws that
her recommendations are approved by the
board of trustees.
The appropriations asked for are: For
maintenance. Soo0; salaries S5.u25
A recommendation is made that Congress
appropriate $1,000 for an additional build
ing of ninety or more rooms and improve
ments. For painting the exterior OF the
building Sl,2o is asked. For cementing the
cellar floors $500 is wanted. For an addi-
tional storehouse for vegetables. ETC. 81 $40
is needed. Congress is asked 10 Incorporate
$500 in its first deficiency bill to pay the
back salary of the treasurer, for which no
appropriation was made for the fiscal year
1877, and TO pay SO a month this fiscal
year. Unless the appropriation is made
the trustees ARE il danger of finding them
selves without a treasurer"
Congress is asked to give ten or fifteen
acres of government land for cattle and
and horse pasture.
congress Is also asked to place the school,
In appropria TORS made, not in the list of
charities, but under the head of reforma-
tories and prisons, the same as the boys
school.
1t Is asked that the Attorney General, and
not the Commissioners. be required to ap-
prove the appointments of officers agents
teachers and employees