The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-17
PLANS FOR
REFORMING
WOMEN

There was quite large attendance be-
fore the senate judiciary committee this
Afternoon on an act TO establish state
reformstory for women.
Hon. Amasa Eaton was the first
speaker. He said there had been great
movement during the last 30 years on
the question OF reformatory for women
and IL had been found that the best re-
suits had been secured bp placing women
on the reformatory boards. He thought
there could be no doubt about the great
good that could come from such course
and he named over n nufber OF women
who had interested themselves In this
work.
The committee notified Mr.. Eaton that
this act was simply for the providing OF
a reformatory for women. Al his sug-
sestion another act. which provides for
the placing OF women on the reformatory
boards. and also an act 10 provide for
a woman superintendent OF the reforma-
tory for women and the Oakown school,
were taken up at the same time.
Mr.. Eaton continued his argument.
claiming that number or the important
improvements in prison management had
originated IN Providence, although he
thought that there was still room for i'm
provemenr Mrs. Amasa Eaton said that
hoped there would ne still another hear
ing. as there were a number OF ladies
who were unable 20 he present, who de-
sired 20 be heard
Rev. Mr.. selleck OF Providence said
he had not been closely IN touch with the
work recently. but II seemed 10 him that
where so many women were confined in
the penal institutions that II was proper
and right 10 have women who were given
power equal 10 mon on the boards of
control. He thought the object OF these
institutions should be reformatory. and
every member OF society who could be
redeemed from evil ways was an added
wealth TO the government
He said that II was a source OF chag-
rim that Rhode Island was not as pro-
gressive as sho ought 10 be. He had no
fault 70 find with the administration OF
the present board. but the trouble was
simply in the system which he thought
was not up to the standard OF other
states.
He did not think the purpose ot these
acts were to find any place for any par
ticular individual but that II would be an
Improvement OF the system.
Mrs. Babcock Of the w. c. I. L. called
attention TO the fact that certain boards
contained women and she thought that
the request for ,wO women on this board
was but a modest request. She believed
that women and men should sit together
~ consider the needs Of institutions were
persons Of both sexes were confined
Bishop McVioknr read a letter from
Johr A. Stiness in which he favored the
Passage OF the acts before the committee
Continuing he said that not long ago he
had visited the penal institutions and
| found them neat and clean and so far as
| he could see everything was being done
| ~ ~
lie thought 1t was too bad that Rhode
| Island was behind many Of the most pro-
eressive states Of the present time.
| Referring 10 the act asking for more
women on the reformatory board he said
that other states had placed women or
| these boards that the best results had
! been secured
DIR. Bloomer. superintendent of Butler
| asylum. said he desired to speak OF the
medical side OF the question. He did not
agree with Bishop McVickar because ht
thought that the question Of inheritance
and that some women could hardly be re-
| formed in the way suggested.
Mr. Eaton said that IL was not desired
| to put the state 10 great expense. but
! that better work could be done In small
| cottag ges, a system which had been adopt.
| ed in other states
Arnold r. Chace spoke briefly in favor
OF the passage Of the act.
Or. Ellen c. Putnam OF Providence
spoke of the work that had been in pre-
vious years for similar laws. and she de-
clared that In her opinion women should
be on these reformatory boards.
Mrs. John r. Huntsman, president ot
the Woman's club. said she would make
| her special plea for the young women.
| request was made for another hearing
and the committee expressed itself a:
| willing to grant this.