The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-24
GOOD WORK
DONE FOR
PRISONERS
Aid Association Holds Annual
Meeting in Chapel Of First
Congregational Church.

The annual meeting OF tho Prisoners
Aid association was held in the chapei OF
the First Congregational church lOhi-
tarian), at 8 o'clock, yesterday afternoon
With a large attendance of interested
friends. The meeting was opened by REV.
Augustus Nj. Lord, ID. d, pastor OF the
church. Devotional exercises followed
conducted by DIR. Lord, after which MISS
Susan Sawyer, president OF the assoo'"-
tion assumed charge OF the meeting
The minutes OF the last annual meet
lng were read by the secretary MISS
Susan Peckham.
The annual report of the secretary theh
followed
This report, a most excellent one, gave
= comprehensove idea Of the work OF the
past year enumerating the various glits
to the home, chief among which was men
fioned the Chickering grand piano, from
Mr.. Francis w. Goddard, one OF the early
presidents OF the organization. The Sec
retary reported, also. that while the or
ganization had had much OF encourage
ment during the year that II had also
been confronted with one serious source
of encouragement, viz The compara-
lively small number OF women, compared
with other years, who sought the shell
ter and care OF the home. The secretary
added that this condition was thought
20 be due 10 the fact that there had been
q change in the haunts and habits OF the
women who were formerly sheltered In
tho home.
They are not so accessible as in former
years she said they are not found to-
gether I'm numbers as they used TO be, and
many OF them are sent out OF town as
soon as they come TO public notice
The report closed as follows: "Our
heaviest loss and the ono most difficult,
- l.. sl.s.A s.F
our president Mss Susan c. Sawyer.
who for nearly six years she presided
at our board. led our devotions. given
wise counsel In season and out OF season,
sympathized with every trying situation.
taken her full share OF reel work and up
held always the highest ideals OF service.
May she be richly blessed in all the
good works to which she devotes so much
time and strength"
The second report OF the afternoon was
that OF the treasurer. Mrs. Eliza +.
Weedep In the absence OF the treasurer,
however, her report was read by the as
sistant treasurer. Miss Mary T.. Arnold
and showed the following figures: Bal
ance on hand at last annual meeting.
$26s IS: receipts for year. from all
sources. ssoeso2: expenses. s27ss.O5; balance
on hand, s269.S7.
The report OF the nominating commit
teee was next presented by Mrs. John +.
named in this report were elected the Of
flee of president being left vacant TO be
f1lled later. Mrs. Susan G. Sawyer honor
ary president; vice presidents, Mrs. j. *.
Barney, Mrs. F. K. Rowland. Miss A. De
f. Lakewood. Miss Mary Il. Arnold. Mrs.
James @. Vose, Mrs. Henry Howard, Mrs.
John +. Huntsman; secretary, Miss Su-
san Peckham; corresponding secretary.
Miss Alice f.. Vaughan; treasurer, Mrs.
Kelsey Dow: assistant treasurer. Miss
Mary T.. Arnold.
AT the close OF the reports and election
of officers general regent was expressed
because of the resignation Of the faithful
president for so many years. Miss Susan
C. Sawyer, grave doubts were expressed
as TO the possibility OF filling her place
and II therefore remains vacant for the
present
The address OF the afternoon. which
came at the close OF the formal business,
was by Mrs. ]. X. Barney.
BY way OF Introduction Mrs Barney
read an article from her own pen which
was published in volume entitled
''woman's Work In America" written
some years ago. The article was entitled
s'Woman's Work Among Criminals" and
told OF the origin OF the Prisoners Aid
association more than a quarter of a CEN
tury ago. its development since that
time and tho changes which have came
about In the passing OF the years, In the
Cndrdctera Oh the WOrk.
Continuing, Mrs. Barney gave a most
Inspiring. most helpful talk on the work
OF reform among women today taking as
the basis OF her remarks the first part OF
tho 18th chapter OF Luke beginning, "Then
drew near unto Him all the publicans
and sinners for TO hear Him"
Mrs Barney urged more aggressive
work on the part OF the Prisoners Aid
society along the lines OF prevention. She
made also a strong plea for a reformatory
prison for women in this state.
"A Prisoners Aid society should move
up TO woman's prison in Rhode Island .
she declared where habitual womer
criminals may be restrained for an in.
definite period or until they are cured
Mrs. Barney urged also. In the strong
est terms. the necessity of responsible,
woman physician at the state institu
tions and explained in what manner III,
Prisoners Aid society might aid In thes,
necessary reforms among women.
At the close OF this admirable address,
q dainty tea was served I'm the attractiv,
parlor OF the chapel from TASTEFUL,
decorated table. Mrs William w, Dou
gias. the Misses Vaughan and Miss Har
riett Tyler presiding at the function