The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-06

80 OStOoGH Os . ~
to girls of like needs in other states
that they are helping to shape large
movements through which they Car
reach out their hands to others, who
like them have suffered.
But given the cottages described
have we covered the need2 Cottages
alone do not constitute homes. May
it not be well said that buildings
planned as they may be, with an eye
to modern institutional values in con-
veniences and comforts accommodate.
ing the girl in work and play, attrac.
lively furnished. clean even to the
criminal degree of some institutions,
may not furnish the need?
Buildings and equipments are only
means to a great end. Far above
these in Importance is the indefnable
moral force which must charge the
whole atmosphere.
First, then, in the education of the
delinquent girl in the institution is
the cottage officer; too much stress
cannot be laid upon the officer; the
officer makes or mars the institution.
To the officer the superintendent
must look for the close daily influence
with the girls; through her must she
work out her ideals and methods.
The officer is the superintendent
greatest responsibility. She must be
a woman of broad mentality, of the
larger growth through having lived;
practical; yet filled with the human
touch; firm, yet sympathetic.
In the matter of methods, shall we
develop the Individual through the
wholesale and mechanical training OF
the Institution, where through code
of cut and dried rules, the mechanism
of the day. is each day wound up as a
clock to tick out its methods; a lineup
every time a girl moves, good morn.
ing by bell, prayers by another, one
to get ready, two to kneel down, three
to begin, four for amen? Institution.
al system may cater to the public and
it's elaboration prove source of pride
to it's directors, but is a torment and
a menace to the inmate. A certain
amount of system is educational but
overdone is nervous strain, and from
my point of observation the mother
of the technically termed ''institu.
tional obstinacy."
In this school of opportunity, can
see at work the strong moral of whole.
sale sport; the elevation of the com.
moner pastime; the evolution within
the institution of various and large
interests which shall help the girl to
find herself; that attention to the
physical which shall develop self-re.
spect; the normal processes of every
day life, which shall help to round out
the womanhood of our girls. Sports
are just as much necessary factor in
successful ref orm as industries.
There is just so much energy in every
young person. 1t is question of di-
recting it. Its overflow at the wrong
point will be in proportion to the de.
gree the confines are narrower than
the inward forces. A good wholesome
romp on the playground is good sub
stitute to punching in groups to ex-
change past experiences and question.
able stories.
A little dance when each one is in
her best gown and manners is good
opportunity to teach the use and
abuse of life's pleasures. The decent
life must be made attractive before
it is chosen by the average young girl
of sixteen.
Society's greatest need today is the
fullest development Of each individ.
ual in his place. Then all the train
ing should be toward this end. Many
of our girls will find their greatest
among their own, lifting their stand
ard of common living. From these
experiences in their early homes tC
makers of homes of their own. With
all due respect to the arts of the
school room they will not find theil
highest education among books. Val
liable above all else to them is the
domestic; the elevation of the home
their future responsibility in it. Dis
tinctively honorary should be made
the household duties in the family; q
thing to be sought for to enter the
kitchen, that all drudgery through
fine skill can become not only attrac
tive but an art.
Realizing as we do today the close
relation of the physical to the moral
and spiritual, can we fail to give the
girl that physical attention which
shall insure her best good?
Finally, with all that our new Saul
Centre school can be made to repre-
sent; its cottages, or family system il
which its small groupings according
to moral qualities protect the girl O.
one quality from another; its oppor
tunity for the individual study ant
close contact with the girl; with it