The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-23
Girls Industrial School.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The very general and growing interest in
manual training manifest during the past
few years in all parts of the country
makes the development of the teaching of
any one of its branches important to all
who are interested in the practical educa-
ton of our girls. AS great strides have
been made in the teaching of sewing as in
any other branch of instruction, and it can
be invested with as much interest and fas-
c~ination for both teachers and scholars as
the study of geography or botany. Many
studies may be taught in connection with
sewing, by a clever and broad-minded
woman. There is not time for discussing all
the means and ways which are before us.
We have selected for a beginning but one,
that later in a girls life, may have a strong
influence for good, and this is the lesson Of
sewing. If, in time, we are blessed with a
home or permanent quarters, we expect
to teach all domestic training, together
with bookkeeping and typewriting, to these
poor girls who are not furnished with
means to procure this knowledge. We are
all women who must be doing: weacannot
afford to be idle. Let us, then, train our
more this idea is taking hold of thoughtful
people, that children of all classes need to
be trained, to work with the hands; 1t is in
spring, 1t is educating. The rich need 1t as
for a curse, my father worketh hitherto,
and 1 work" Why should We not, with de-
trained to ways which will benefit for life.
We, many of us, feel that we are very
busy, and can do little to train these chill
dren. but there is much we can do. / know
OF nothing in our midst doing so much good
as the sewing SCHOOL, for these reasons.
or all the trades open to women, the great
err number include sewing OF some kind or
other. To be prepared to meet the compe-
tition will be great gain. One reason why
sweat shops thrive is because SO many
else they can do. they turn to sewing as
their their only, hope: AS they do this
hopeless numbers of incompetent ones,
ready to step in. Good, conscientious work
trades get their workers from those who
have. had training. Another thing, too,
S Whlee fs{ls d In obtaining n sir Z situation san more is easilS
NINA a position if she present a neat
appearance and can sew well. while those
be stability dressed, unless they can afford
TO pay to have the constant little repairs
made. Perhaps some girls will not need to
to keep their families in order. Where a
knowledge OF sewing is had, the homes
have a neater and more comfortable look.
employed nave less time to become idle Cos
sipers at other idle women's doors, are more
Anu IdIu IlI1e ITO lnem IeduX
to lend a helping hand. Instead Of pawning
clothing which has been given them. they
can renovate and use old material where
one who could not sew would be helpless.
The pawning of good clothes and buying Of
ready-made garments which are of poor
material, wretchedly made, is the resource
of women who cannot sew. The German
women have cleaner, more orderly homes on
account of the thorough drilling they have
had in sewing in the fatherland. We have
looked at a few of the practical things
which learning to sew in early years will do
for our little girls, but we have still an
other side which is just as important: in
fact. more so. Teach a child to be neat and
persevering in one thing, and you will find
the nature of the child itself is affected,
and finally these become a part of the
character. The teacher in the ewing school
knows this. She finds that insisting on
good work, on accuracy and neatness. has
and the worker, too. After long effort, at
good results, the child will find in every
thing she undertakes a desire to do better
work. Sewing is building the character,
making Industrious and capable women
By and by what a help these little girls
can in turn be to the mothers, who have in
early years done SO much for them. In the
Tomlinson Hall every Saturday from 9 10 4
p. m, each teacher is expected to visit I'm
the homes of her pupils as often as is pos
the child's surroundings is obtained, and an
effort to uplift the family is made by the
good advice of the teacher. Our school Will
begin its sessions on Saturday. Oct. Z, at
ers have been in the work from two to
eight years. there is always a need of more
n Hap VII not , our capable Christian
who are anxious TO learn. and come and
take a class in the school and help in this
practical charity, and by this means obtain
a blessing for themselves?
MRS. FRANK BLANCHARD.
Indianapolis- Sent. %.