The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-11
Training School for Girls.

4Idlulu& 0CuOOl lOI Wills.
The Minneapolis campaign in behalf
of an enlightened and scientific plan
Of dealing with the delinquent girls
of the state was fully launched yes
terday at meeting that combined
the forces of the Friendly Visitors OF
the Associated Charities and the Min
nesota Federation of Women's clubs.
The federation has officially accepted
the management Of a movement for
the establishment of a new industrial
training school for girls that shall
remove the girls from the present
training school and put them into a
new school that shall be as far re-
moved as possible from the idea of
penal institutions.
It's purpose, in the words Of Horace
Mann, quoted by Mrs. H. A. Towne
of the committee, is formatory rather
than reformatory, and, in the esti-
mate Of the great educator, such eff
than reformation. It is the intention
to educate public sentiment and the
courts to the view that the school is
to protect the girls from the bad con-
ditions and lack Of training found in
their homes. It's mission will be pre-
ventive and not punitive. 1t is the
intent that a girl shall be sent on her
that there is something better and to
build her UP physically, mentally and
morally to resist evil Influences.
The class Of girls who largely fill
such institutions are those whose en-
vironment is unfavorable and whose
training has been neglected, if not
positively vicious. The Industrial
school proposes to rescue the unfor-
tunate girls of the state from their
own inherited weaknesses and evil
tendencies and to transplant them
from adverse conditions to favorable
ones, where the best that is in them
will be recognized and encouraged;
where their bodies as well as their
minds will be cared for, and where
they will be given an industrial train
ing that will remove danger Of temp
tation from inability, to provide for
themselves in an honorable way.
| The economic value of preventive
methods in dealing with delinquents
| is automatic with all students of So
cial conditions, and it can be asserted
tconfidently, as was done in the meet
ing here, that the new school will
! prove the wisest kind Of an invest
ment. It will actually reduce the cost
of dealing with the female delinquents
| by reducing the number to be cared
for in jails, warehouses and prisons,
and it will restore to society these
girls as useful elements instead Of a
menace, thru their degenerate and
criminal progeny. The money saving
will not only be felt in public expendi-
lures, but in the expenses of charita-
BILE institutions which at best deal
with the problem inadequately.
There is no criticism or opposition
to the authorities of the present mixed
school at Red Wing in the present
movement. The women take the same
ground as the authorities there, that
they are handicapped in their work
by existing conditions. No adequate
| opportunity is afforded for outdoor
work, sport OR exercise for the girls,
and the proximity Of the two sexes
keeps alive an unhealthy excitement
that not even the removal of the
schools for distance of a few miles
can eliminate.
The demand in the present move
ment is for complete separation, and
it is the consensus of unbiased opin-
ion that this is the best plan, and the
sociological experts are unanimous in
pronouncing it fundamental to the
proposition.
The federation committee has an
nounced that it would prefer to see
the present movement for separation
defeated rather than to have new
school established in the vicinity of
Red Wing and under the same gen.
eral management. It's aim is to have
the girls school located in the coun-
try on a good farm of ample size, so
as to give the girl much outdoor
work, and in distant part Of the
: state from the present school.
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