The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-30
CLERGY CONDEMN
DISCIPLINE" PLAN
At GIRLS HOME
Newark Pastors Unite in Scor-
ing Corporal Punishment Sys-
tenn at State Institution.
SAY LASHINGS WILL NOT
REFORM THE INMATES
"Those in Charge Should Be
Strapped Themselves" Rec
tor Declares.

| " -------
The discovery that many of the in
mates of the State Home for Girls in
Trenton had been whipped with a great
strap and that others had been con
fined in cells described as dungeons.
led many Newark ministers to express
themselves today concerning the infiie-
ton OF corporal punishment, especially
on girls.
The Rev. John Mcdowell, Park Pres
byterian Church,:
II utterly fall to see the necessity for
corporal punishment. Particularly do 1
condemn the use of the rod or the strap
on girls. The employment Of such pun
ishment on girls I would consider with
great Suspicion fear hat behind it
might lie greater outrages. There are
! methods of curbing the unruly and re-
forming the degenerate without the ap-
plication of brutal and inhuman pun
ishment. True reformation comes
through the mind, not the body. h
corporal punishment of the States
charges must surely demonstrate that
the State is ignorant as to the best
and latest methods of handling, on
trolling and reforming those who have
been committed to its charge"
Think Brutality was Practised.
The Rev. Louise Shreve Osborne,
Trinity Episcopal Church;
ut seems to me thai if those in charge
Of the State Home for Girls have been
brutal. they should be strapped them
selves, and Illus receive a dose of their
own medicine. / am not, however, en-
tirely in favor of abolishing corporal
punishment. There are cases when 1t
is imperative-or anarchy will result.
But it should be dispassionately ad-
ministered and not given in the heat of
passion.
II do not know that the authorities
at the home were altogether wrong,
nor do I uphold them. 1 should want
to investigate most carefully before
pronouncing judgment, but l am firm
in the belief that for a certain class of
incorrigibles, some Of whom are doubt
less in this institution, corporal pun
ishment is the only effective kind"
The Rev. w. Y. Chapman, Rosevillc
Presbyterian Church:
1.-THE Governor acted wisely in order;
ing the two dungeons done away with.
There should be a full investigation of
the method of conducting the home, III
such has not already been made, and, II
It is found that either the human or
moral law is being violated, those in au-
thority should be punished. The Il
of power placed in their hands would be
a great evil. 1t is necessary, however,
to deal severely with incorrigibles such
MS are housed there, and before abolish
ing corporal punishment a very minute
Investigation should be made.
evidence" a Disgrace.
The Rev. Henry r. Rose, Church OF
the Redeemer:
beating or using violence to human
J beings is a disgrace in the twentieth
century and 1 should say, shows in
competence in the management of the
institution. There is no necessity or
beating a human being under any cir
cumstances and we should I'VE dill
| ferent kind of people in these institn-
lions, people with hearts and intelli-
gence. In Elmira or some of the big
institutions throughout the country, the
authorities would as soon think OF
beating a human being as giving them
poison. In this enlightened age the
only hope for those who are taken care
of by the state Is in scientific treat
ment. Governor Fort has acted COM
mendably in ordering the dungeons out
and the whipping stopped"
The Rev. Davis w. Lusk, Sixth Pres
byterian Church:
II think Governor Fort has done the
right thing In stopping the beating at
the home. It is wrong on general prin-
cipes. l have not looked into the pres
ent case vet nj do not wish to COM
init myself beyond saying that beat
ing is unnecessary and brutal at
times"
Carl Heller. superintendent of the
Newark City Home, an institu-
tion for incorrigible boys and
girls-"I do not believe children
should be punished with a strap or put
into dark rooms. Such treatment Is an
outrage. Corporal punishment Is not
permitted here"