The age-herald., 1898-11-23
The Federation Fayors
 Establishing an Industrial School

The first regular meeting of the season of the local federation was held yesterday afternoon at Elks hall. Mrs. Cruikshank, the president, presided. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary, Miss Maebelle Sloss. The first business brought before the federation was a re-. vision of the constitution. The amend ments were discussed at some length, and when put to the vote were adopted. The amendments touched exclusively upon the broadening of the constitution, and the suo- sequent step taken by the federation was the result of this progressive decision for broader constitution Following the adop- tion of the revised constitution Mrs k. D. Johnston, the chairman of the reformatory committee of the state federation, address ed the ladies on the subject of establishing an industrial school for wayward boys in Alabama. Her appeal was unusually elo- quent and earnest.
 Mrs S. D. Cole was called upon to speak and made beautiful and earnest talk in regard to redeeming youthful criminals. She urged that the local federation throw its influence on behalf of such a cause that the reformatory committee of the state federation could feel assured of the co-op- eration of every club woman in Alabama Her address was one of the most stirring and eloquent talks ever made before the federation, and at its conclusion she was warmly applauded. The following resou- tions were then adopted by the federation.
 Whereas, every woman in Alabama is in- terested in the morality and the intelligence of every boy and girl in the state; and,
 Whereas, Alabama has growing cities where the waves of civilization are strewing many derelicts, large and small; and.
 Whereas, the young can be saved and made good citizens; and,
 Whereas we must either accept or reject this opportunity to use our influence for their welfare, therefore we are. bound to do our duty in the matter:
 Be it resolved, That this local federation of women's clubs will give all possible aid and encouragement to the establishment Of an industrial school for wayward boys, as suggested by the chairman of the reform atory committee of the state federation.
 In connection with this resolution the fol- lowing extract from Attorney General Wil- liam C. Fitts' biennial report will be time ly, and presents the urgent need of an in- dustrial school in Alabama for youthful criminals The women of Alabama feel that the present assembly of the legislature will not be indifferent to their earnest en- treaties for an industrial school
 'It must have occurred to all thoughtful persons that there is lacking to the state an tnStituJ1On Wn1cn an duNdHcNd CiN1i1o- tion and a generous sense of justice to the unfortunate both demand.
 'The state should have refOrmatory for the proper enlightenment and training or young convicts and such other unfortunate offenders as hardly deserve the severe punishment and lasting humiliation incident to a term in the penitentiary. The mis- take into which many people fall Is that of looking upon all convicts alike. We hear it said, he is a convict, that means out ef hra pda priminQH beyond the hope of rescue. Such ought not to be the case. Convicts are as different and distinct. one from the other. as the men and xomeiH we meet in every day life. Some are truthful and possessed of character. while others. (and the majority no doubD are hardened and entirely given over to evil.s The error of public opinion in just hurling all these human beings into one great 'ostra cised class under the head of conxcts is responsible for the condition of affairs am attempting to point out.
 1T respectfully suggest that the legisla- turea inaugurate this much needed reform Necessarily the beginning will be humble, but if the change is good the institution will grow"