The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-01-09
MRS. EYLER'S CHARGE
Governor Deplores Sensa.
tional Reports Improve
ment Of the School.

The State Industrial School for Girls
has. during the past year, gain
ed an unpleasant and unfortunate
notoriety. Exaggerated and sensational
accounts, spread broadcast over the coun-
try, have created deeply erroneous i'm
preston as to the purposes of the school,
the methods of its management and the
results there attained. Officious inter
meddlers, seeking cheap notoriety and in
f1uenced by no honest purpose or pretend
ing to speak officially for some well mean
ing, but wholly irresponsible and self-con-
S[1suteq Sor ioTgaalzaonsS WI mirn pIei}uaace S
an authority which the Legislature has
wisely withheld from them. voluntarily
and without any special demand for their
views or an investigation of facts from
reliable sources, have rushed into print
with their nl-consfdered criticisms and
suggestions.
The public, not informed of the true
character of their utterances, which are
neither sacred nor infallible, has attached
to them an undue weight From this mis-
taken zeal and unwarranted conduct there
has come incalculable harm to an insti-
tuition which is doing great good, and to
the State an undeserved dishonor.
Some self-appointed censors have never
visited the school. Others have not been
stiM have barely an idea of its actual To-
cation. OF the nature and character of its
inmates and of the work actually done
there they seem to have had no correct
idea. Some of the regulations recommend
ed by them for adoption have been in
force for a number of years, and inquiry
from the proper authority would have dis
closed the fact. Evils which excited their
indignation, and against which they Bit
terly complained, had been removed by
the old Board of Trustees. Some of the
reforms demanded were already instituted
and others were impossible Naturally
those in authority hesitated to adopt many
of the recommendations until the wisdom
thereof had been demonstrated by the test
of actual experience. Their reluctance
has since been justified by happenings in
schools where the methods advised were
tried under the personal supervision OF
those favoring their adoption, with un-
fortunate results it must be sadly con-
fessed. There has been no occasion TO
queN riots among the inmates of this
and pistols, and there have been no riots
All rfg.ht-minded persons agree that in a
school of this character discipline is in
dispensable. Obedience to wise rules must
be enforced. Vicious and uncomfortable
tempers, which will brook no correction
or Interference, cannot be allowed to set
up the standard of conduct. Mistaken
kindness and pampering indulgence cannot
fail to work grievous wrong to the in
mate Love and obedience, rather than
hate and wilful disobedience, must be the
prevailing rule.
The records of the school afford the
strongest proof that a wise care and faith
full attention has marked the conduct of
the officers and Board of Trustees and
members of the old board felt obliged to
resign rather than submit to the unfair
imputations and unjust criticism which
characterized the attack made on their
official conduct. They are men of eminent
respectabiity and high standing in the
community and had served the State TO-
many years with faithfulness and zeal
Their sole aim was the advancement OF
the interests of the institution, which had
become to them an object of love and
pride. If attacks of the character under
considera ton from persons or associations
irresponsible for what they say or do are
to go unrebuked, it will soon be impossible
to secure the services of citizens COM
petent to act as trustees or managers OF
our Institutions.
At no time has the claim been made
that the school has reached the fun meas
ure of perfection. but under the manage
ment of the Trustees, aided by the intelli-
gent and suggestive help of the board of
women visitors and of the officers, decided
and, under the circumstances, astonishing
Their nature and extent are fully dis
cuSSed in the report of the principal, q
careful reading of which will do much ito
remove existing prejudices and give cor
rect view of the purpose and scope of this
very important school.
The new Board of Trustees has devoted
much time and labor to the study of it's
affairs They have conscientiouslv en-
deavored to discharge their duties in q
manner to promote the well-being and
reformation of the inmates. and at the
same time protect the honor of the State
Their efforts are entitled to the encourage
merit Of fair-minded people, and they
especially invite your personal Inspector
of the school at any time
They recommend an appropriation for
an additional building, which seems TO be
necessary, in view of the crowded con-
ditlon of the school. 1t is impossible to
receive new inmates and the various
Judges have been requested to Withhold
moda tons are provided or the present
number is reduced. The appropriation Of
last year for this purpose was not used.
and fell back into the treasury. executive
cause the cost Of the proposed building
exceeded the amount set aside.