The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-06
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63 E3 Edited by CORA WELLS. Sc
POLICE NATIONS.

ploy police matron, appointed official
ly and paid by the state, and 10 Rhode
Island belongs the honor of being the
first state to pass a law calling for
matrons in all cities irrespective of the
number OF inhabitants.
According TO a published description
of the movement in 1878 woman ply
stefan happened into court, and. during
Few minutes stay. saw sights that so
aroused her sympathies that she re-
ported the matter TO the Woman s
Christian Temperance Union. This or
sanization took active steps i'm the
matter, articles We're written for the
daily press and application made for
the employment OF women at the po-
lice stations. Providence. X. L., was the
first city TO officially secure day and
, night frVice for the matron.
The idea was widely discussed and a
Few other cities adopted the plan. In
every case. where il Vas given a fair
trial, the result was satisfactory.
Chicago now has seventeen matrons.
Baltimore has been employing matrons
for fifteen years, Massac husetts has mat
rons I'm all cities OF over 10000 inhabi-
tants, and large number OF cities in
various parts Of these United States
regularly employ them.
Mrs. j. Is. Barney has spoken i'm near
~ all cities of $4,000 inhabitants in the
United States and the rC,orm has been
well established very largely through
her efforts. She has also spoken before
the New York and Massachus It's legis-
lature ON the subject and before audi
ences i'm other countries.
New Zealand has police matrons i'm
four CITIES; these We're obtained as soor
as women were given the ballot.
Lady Somerset is urging the move
ment in Great Britain and IL has been
adopted i'm a few cities.
our city and state may justly feel
pride i'm the fact that the example ."r
this improved system was set here The
local work is fun Of encouraging feat
ures: 1t has prevented carelessness On
many points, and deliberate wrong I'm
others. The workers are ever on the
alert to ferret out neglect OF duty on
the part of employees Of the state who
have aught to do with the arrest OF
women
Al the recent convention Of the II. J.
w G. II. L. held at Phenix, police mat
ron work was considered in reports
from the several maltrons employed NJ
the state
In every city where a nation Is Sc
cured a committee from the w g. I. L
is expected to be in readiness 10 assist
her in her rescue work This res 'ue
work was the primary thought IN the
reform and the Rescue Home for Wom-
en- on Weybosset street. ard the So
phia Little Home are OF great assist
ance in prosecuting this
Every woman brought 20 the sta
taon is committed at once TO the care of
the matron. and the necessary work.
consisting of searching, looking-up and
attendance. is performed by her. All
the cells for women are in her charge
and she is required 20 be ready for any
emergency. Frequently women are
brought i'm who are not intoxicated or
bad but have been suddenly set adritt,
or perhaps have missed train ana are
without money. Sometimes woman is
taken suddenly ill and cannot give her
name or residence. then there are rho
partially insane. attemptei suicides.
persons arrasted on suspicion frequent
ly found innocenp young girls Tor ms
orderly conduct, or found I'M question
able company Many arrested women are
irresponsible for the time being anu
nor only modesty but decency demands
that they be In a wOmans care. Drunk
on wonSn with babies IN their arms
need attention. and the poor httie ones
need rescuing from the unmotherly
conduct.
The matrm's position is not an easy
one but the right woman never falls
I'm any emergency or is dismayed by
the depths of degradation constantly
before her THE worst cases are al
Ways more amenablc To her touch and
voice than 10 the average policeman.
If the position OF matrun were taken
simrsy for the salary or sentimental
notions, as has well been said, resig-
nation would occur az the end of the
first quarter Tact. patience and con-
seCration are requisite. and. as ill many
another important position, II is found
where the best available person IS Sc
cured she develops unexpected fitness
and In time compels approval and en-
dorsement.
In Providence Mrs NJ. T.. Tilhnghast
IS superirtendent and Mrs Ellen f.
Mills is the night matron. Mrs Til
linghast not only has the general SUI
pervision OF the work but the duties
of the day During three years Mrs.
Mills has wen proven her etiiciency by
her faithful service.
Can't Frank Matthews. while the
youngest CaDtain on the force, is one
Of the most caDabe He is genial
man whose svmnathetic nature is con-
etaatlv shown i'm his kindly interest i'm !
cases that come under his jurisdiction. |
Mrs. TilIiuehast greatly appreciates his |
helpful cooperation with her in efforts |
20 redeem the Door creatures who como J
under her care.
All Of he officers connected with the !
station force were given warm praise |
by Mrs. Tirlinghast in our recent in |
teryiew with her.
Miss Denehy. The new probation Of !
ficer. together with the matrpn and her |
assistant has had the care of 200 wo- |
men and over 400 children under lG |
years during the last year. Mrs. Til |
NnChast said I'm her report at the con- |
Nention that she had fewer cases Of \
young criminals this year and consd- \
cred this a honeful condition OF things |
on the occasion OF our visit three wo-
men were awaiting the opening of tn, /
morning scssion of the court. During |
the interval thev were kindly duCs- /
toned and advised by the matron and /
probation officer and che adjustment ht
their cases arranged. pending the de-
cislon OF the Judge
Mrs. Tilliughast received recently = |
useful collection Of articles of women's
apparel from the secretary OF the w. G.. |
r T. of East Providence. All such
articles c.e always welcomed. IL Us
haped others will follow Mrs Pikln-
gills donation.
At the convention tlW matron. who
is stationed at Pawiucket spoke Inv
praise Of the sDlcndid cooperation ~
the captain of police there. and cited
many interesting cases ~ women
riaced undcr her care. all proving thg |