The San Francisco call., 1897-02-22
GUIDING Alright
UNWILLING YOUTH
Mrs. Adina Mitchell Tells
of Reform Work at
Whittier. /
Favors the Removal of the Girls
Department to Santa
Clara.
Special Education and a Separate
Home Should Be Given Young
Women.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Feb. 21,-The
removal of the girls department of the
Whittier State School from Whittier and
the establishment OF separate Institution
at Santa Clara for the girls is q subject
which is being considered with great in
terest in those circles interested in philan-
thropic work and particularly that branch
of sociology involving the reform of juve-
nile delinquents. The suggestion of this
removal from Whittier is meeting with
general favor in this section much more
than would be supposed, which is in a
great measure due to the fact th at the
girls department of Whittier State School
has been prominent in the public eye be.
cause of the reforms and changes in the
department which have been urged by
Mrs. Adina Mitchell, one of the trustees
of the institution. Mrs. Mitchell, who is
the wife of the prominent attorney John
W. Mitchell. was appointed by Governor
Budd on the Whittier board nearly two
years ago, and she has entered into the
work of the Office with an industry and
und erstanding which have been almost
| phenomenal.
On account of her official position, her
prominence in this community and her
familiarity with the subject Mrs. Mitchell
is now considered the leading authority
on the subjects involved in the removal of
the Whites girls and the establishment
of the new institutions at Santa Clara.
| and 1t Is for these reasons that CALL re-
| porter visited Mrs. Mitchell to obtain her
| views.
In response to a query Mrs. Mitchell
said: "Ioo much cannot be said in favor
of the removal of the girls department OF
| To 10 E.
nomical reasons favored the consolidation
OF the boys departments of Whittier and
! Preston schools at Glen Ellen and the es-
| adjustment OF a separate institution for
| girls at lone or elsewhere, but this change
and consolidation does not now seem prob
able.
1.-THE important point in question with
| me 10 an independe ent institution for girls
and young women. l have never seen
the proposed site at Santa Clara, but all
the reports l have heard are exceedingly
favorable toward the esta blishment there
| of a successful school of this class. And
| certainly the citizens of Santa Clara have
been most liberal in their proposals to OBJ
| tain this institution, and if the Lepis-
lature makes it possible to carry out the
| Governors recommendation in this par
ticular branch OF reformatory training it
will place California in advance of many
other States in the same line of pro-
| gress.'
"What are your ideas of the scope of
| this work?"
THAT is almost limitless. Perhaps
many OF the evils com mplained of by re-
| formers will never be remedied. But the
solution of the problems of sociology that
are agitating civilization will be helped if
men and women become more interested
in humankind and assist the work. Per-
haps il colleges and universities gave less
time to the study of dead languages and
! physical science and spent more time
upon the more complex and important
subject of the science of mankind and the
many questions affecting common hui
many, there would be more helpful sym
| pathy, and particularly q better under
| standing of the woman's side OF it.
| but as to the scope applied to the
| reformation OF young girl delinquents
there are many diversified features and a
| number of extensions that might be
added to the present system of training
and education. Employment and studies
could be given that would not only help
! TO prove the practical side and be of great
| benefit as a recreation and pleasure, but
| would also be a stimulus to lead these
| girls and young women TO nobler lives,
ut is great mistake to imagine that
the only line of instruction to be pursued
In their education is that which will make
OF them domestic servants. For many of
| these girls are in their natures Just as
| those whose environments have been
more hea!thful and happy. Many of
them have noble impulses and hunger for
| education and refined occupations. And
| you know girls who have this tendency to
De bad are not always found alone among
the Ignorant and lower classes.
In this work there are three great es-