New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
WOMEN.S REFORMATORY.
n. j. an Great Need Of One, Say
Public Spirited Citizens.

II is now agreed among the earnest and public
spirited women Of New-Jersey- both in the CLUBS
and charitable societies, that one Of the crying
needs OF that State is a reforulatory for women
The absolute inadeouacy OF the State prisons
county jails and penitentiaries for meeting the
cases Of young women prisoners committed Tor
first offences for disorderly conduct, and need
ing and good influence, rather than penal
treatment has been established by careful in
vestigation. and the good work accomplished by
7eformatory institutions in New-Fork. Massa-
chusetts and other States has been cited as an
incentive TO action in this vitality important
matter.
Mrs. George W. Blackwell, president of the Or
ange Political Study Club, and an ex-president of
the wonans Club Of Orange, made an earnest
presentation of the subject before the State FEEDER
stion last May. and again at the autumn meeting
The movement originated with the Charities Con-
ference Of the Oranges, organization composed
of men and women representing the local phian-
thropic societies and churches The conferences
are held every month, and at the session OF last
November a committee was appointed to further
the plan for women's reformatory consisting
IF the following members: A w Abbott, chair
man: A W. McDougaH. recording secretary; Mrs.
Tohn R Paddock corresponding secretary; Miss
Mary r. Tooker the Rev Walter Reid Hunt. Mrs.
George W Blackwell DR. William H Allen, Mrs.
william N. Swingle, Dr. A Cleveland Hall. and
William Potts. At the meeting a resolution
Sas unanimously adopted asking Governor Muir
,hy TO appoint a commission. at least two members
Of which shall be women. undertake the estab-
lshraent Of such q reformatory. A strong letter
IN the subject sent to the Governor.
The reasons given for the promotion of the plan,
and details furnished by those interested. con-
stirlIte an effective plea Dr. William H Allen
told Of actual conditions in jails he had visited
In Camden he said. he found colored girl or
sixteen in the same cell with woman charged
with murder "A few away a young
woman with q nursing child. locked up because
she was wanted 4 witness in case and within
short distance a seven-year-old girl also held
20 1cva
charged with being inmate Of a disorderly
house Near by were several thieves and drunken
women:
police courts, Jails and penitentiaries. show that
he ma jority of prisoners committed for
petit larceny, drunkenness and disorderly conduct
neptible of reform through encourag nent and reg
ular disciplinary treatment the victims OF environ
rather than Of congenltal criminal tendencies
Mrs. Blackwell is serving not only on the conIeI-
erce committee. but also on special comlnlltee
Of the Political Study Club appointed for local in
vestigauons- -, ~
Jersey State Charities AID Association, in making
2 strong plea for the reform system, rather than
sets forth the theory that women are more ameIa-
HE than men TO retormauory treatment He says:
1T is an unouestionable fact that If you take the
ma aiorfty Of men and women the women are more
easily led 70 higher and better life.
whether that be not said a thoughtful
woman who listened to his remarks, Il think We
dre' further into the stil susceptible period Of
youth. The young fall soEeasiy into despair. Ana
The woman who despairs = lost. She has less OPP
Dortunity Of regaining a foothoid tnan man. anu
her capacity for shame keeps the prison taint upon
her We should have reformat5ries, both for men
nd women. and the need for the latter IN such
acress-is so pressing that ii VIII be disgrace II
we do not it, and have ii SOON.