The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-29
TALK
FROM DR.. RIPPLE |.
CHALLENGES ATTITUDE OF ,AD-
voCATEs OF NEW INSTITUTION.
Resents Criticism Regarding Regula-
tions Of .Maternity Homes and Tells
OF Her Views Based Upon Personal
Experience at Maternity Hospital
Denounces Methods Of the Baby
Farms.

Repres tatives Of institut ions caring
for erring mothers think an injustice
has been done them IN the attitude
taken by the conference called to con-
slider the sevils Of the Sss baby Farms. Z
The opinion was pressed. by several
tic Tegul ions, was needed, where girls
could be induced 80; sc, inst cad OF be
ing driven by regula lions at the exist
ing: institutions TO seek out the baby
farms. @ u. : Il fs 8 2ff4s
Or. Martha G.. Ripley, speak king from
her, experience at Maternity hospital,
takes exception to this criticism.
She points out that at the hospital poor
patients are cared for and shielded
more carefully than at home. The baby
farms cannot and dare not command the
services Of reliable physicians, On the
problem Of caring for unfortunate
mothers. DR.. Ripley says:
Baby farms are certainly an evil,
but not a necessary one, and should
not be tolerated in this or any other
community. They. are carried on. by
vicious, INSCRIPTIONS persons, whose
sole object is to make money out of
the sin and sorrow Of unfortunate girls.
Ruined health and lives result, as the
criminal cases now on trial here tes-
tify, Little babies left on doorsteps and
dead babies taken out of rivers and
places, babies buried, whose death is
never reported, babies given to i'm.
worthy persons, who are neither NOR
ally. nor financially able > to care for
'them-tthese. are, some Of the results Of
SssThis city does not need tbaby
farms nor does it need: any more insti-
buttons than it now has for the care, of
its. Legitimate mothers. -,
r sit does need, and I understand
will have a home for incorrigable girls.
/ would like to suggest the establish
ment of penal institution for the resi-
dence Of illegitimate fathers; it would
help the morals. Of any city,. I
!s'The results in foreign ountries
show that the work of saving these girls
cannot be well done in large general
hospitals nor in maternity wards in
in private philanthropic- institutions
conducted in the best possible sananner,
where not only the physical welfare of
the girls is looked after, but their moral
length Of time as will enable them to 20
out and become a blessing and not a
curse to the world.
What shall be done with the
CnllQ!' sometimes. IL IS DeSC CnaC the
baby should 90 with it's mother. But
oftener it is best for both notified and
child that it be given into some child
less home, where it will be-, loved and
receive such care and training as it
could not otherwise have. The find
ing Of homes for babies requires care.
full .discrimina tion. Maternity hospi
tai babies are sent out on trial for sew.
| eral months before adoption, and if al
any time, or for any reason, the foste1
parents cannot or do not wish to care
for them any longer, the agreement il
, that they are to be returned to the
hospital, even after adoption, thus pre-
venting their becoming homeless waits
| later. w - = w !:
MATERNITY hospital in its eighteen
years of existence has cared for be
tween 5000 and 1000 mothers anG
babies. It's large and beautiful grounds
give, ample possibilities for future
needs.
"The work done by the Bethany home
and the Florence Crittenden home i!
we'll known in our city. All these in
situations are carrying heavy burden,
and need the sympathy and encourage
ment OF this community. Christian ant
benevolent men and women should Sc,
that the necessary financial help i
given and this part of the burdel