The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-04-01
TO REFORM WOMEN.

~ ETOlLM VHOlNHN.
While the legislature is considering
the feasibility of establishing a
women's reformatory in this State
there will be much discussion of the |
methods to be employed to secure the
best results. The British Women's |
Temperance association hit upon a
novel plan to reform the women of
Britain, which has been tried for
something over year with remarks
BILE success. .r.@
Lady Henry Somerset has a lengthy
report of her Investigation in the
Union Signal of which the following is
a condensed extract: The scheme it.
self is unique, as there is mo other in
stitution for women in this country on
exactly the same lines. It is hoped
and anticipated that, if successful, this
home will serve in the future, in
measure, as model for state-supported
Institutions throughout the country.
| T. to.
The model village stands among the.
beautiful hills of Surrey on farm of
one hundred and eighty acres, a group
of six cottages clustering round large
house. Each cottage has its separate
Establishment presided over by a nurse
matron from the Church Army. There
is no institutional character in the ar
rangements; everything is pretty,
| homelike, and cheerful. The desira-
bility of separating the women into
small groups is especially emphasized,
| for although the plan entails more
workers, the results fully justify the
expenditure and the additional care.
The women are engaged in outdoor
work, under the superintendence of a
lady gardener from Swanley College.
We cannot dwell too emphatically upon
the benefit of this open-air occupation.
The altered appearance of some of the
5 very worst cases testifes to it's value.
Open-air, new ideas, and above all the
encouragement of seeing direct result
l from labor, have a most beneficial ef
l feet on the impaired nervous system o!
the patients The minimum charge i
five shillings a week for cottage pa
' TENTS. Labor books are accurately
: kept, and where it is ascertained pa
s tient has earned her full keep, the ex
. ira money is placed to her credit ant
g handed to her when she leaves the col
q ony. Magistrates have in many in
! stances consigned women to our care
u giving them the option of coming t
l. the colony or going to prison for shor
e terms. We have cases of women VIII
u have served long and short sentences
g one having been in prison over tw
q. hundred times. She is now, however
W so far recovered as to be able to tax
o. situation, with every prospect OF
respectable life before her. We Ell
deavor, as far as possible, to brighte
- the hours of recreation: every nigl
:. has it's special class or entertainment
- From the patients that have left !
q We receive the most encouraging r
= ports. It is singular how little troub
- we have had, considering how dificu
have been the cases with which '
~ were called to deal. OF course '
- have had failures, but we expect thel
~ On the other hand, we have seen, Il
no women alter in the sunshine of the {
= mosphere that has been around the
~ and we have cases to-day of lives th
: we believe to be wholly changed
90 their residence among us. We belle
~ that in time we may almost make
pno cottages support themselves
- The idea seems to be a good 5ol
Separate the fallen from their crimil
try haunts, remove all temptation and
you Gods sunshine and pure air work I
;. reformation.
VI