Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-12
Plea for Reformatory for
Females, By Principal of
Industrial School for Girls.

Miss Gertrude L. Macdonald. prin-
eipal of the Maine Industrial School
tor Girls, spoke before the College
Club in Portland. last Tuesday. her
subject being \ Rcforn}atory for Wo-
men in Maine.
In the course Of her talk Miss Mae
Donald explained and Illustrated what
the work of the Industrial School is
and what it IS doing for young girls
of both tho dependent and delinquent
classes pointing out where the work
of the Industrial School must of ne
eessity stop and where the work of
reformatory for women should he
gin. Miss Macdonald said in part as
follows.
The first mention Of a separate pris-
on for women IN this state was made
by commission appointed by the
Governor TO investigate and report
upon the jail system of the State of
Maine. This report Was made Feb. /,
1871 The committee advocated a
House Of Refuge for Women eNciu-
sively. The title, House Of Refuge,
was the general one in use at that
time for such institutions in other
states.
Ii was 80 years age that the first
bill was presented in the Legislature.
Frederick Robbie was filling his first
term as Governor The bill originated
in the House and was assigned 10 the
judiciary committee. Several public
hearings were held. IN their report
on the expediency of establishing a
woman's reformatory they said:
From the highly respectable eharac-
ter of the petitioners. including judges
of all the various grades of courts
and officers of the law. having pecu-
liar knowledge IN the premises, and
from the very cogent reasons waged
by the phiIanthropic ladies and gem
tlemen who have interested them
selves in behalf of female convicts
and have given the committee the re-
suit of their observations We are con
WINGED that the matter demands the
attention of the State.
But as no definite plan which
seems TO the committee feasible has
been presented. and as the erection of
suitable buildings would involve an
expenditure which we believe would
be unwarranted at present at least
without further information on the
subject We recommend a reference of
the whole matter to the consideration
of the Governor and Council who
shall inquire into the necessity or
propriety of the establishment of a
reformatory prison for women in the
State, procure plans with the estimat-
ed expense of a suitable structure and
report to the next Legislature, and
they may recommend any plan which
may seem to them feasible either by
the use of some structure existing TO
carry into effect the separation of fe-
males from male convicts provided
however, that the expense incurred by
the Governor and Council in such in
vestigation and report shall not ex-
coed $3.50.
State Board of Charity.
In 1857 Governor ROBBIE having been
reelected made no allusion to this in
his inaugural address. He struck a
progressive note. however, in recon-
mending a State Board of Charity.
The measure for the reformatory
was defeated, and two years later
Governor Bodwell gave the matter d
place in his inaugural saying: The
last Legislature had under considera-
ton the subject of establishing
separate reformatory for the female
criminal class. 1t then received a
large degree OF appreciation from
the members of both House and Sem
ate. I respectfully suggest that the
subject be again taken under consid-
Grafton / am sure that such an in
stitution will elevate the character Of
our prison discipline and be the means
of rescuing many women from life
of degradation.
"A separate institution under the
care of female officers affords the del
icacy of treatment which is due to
women even in their fallen state and
il is a duty we owe to humanity TO
provide an institution which win give
this advantage in it's discipline and
treatment. The experiment has been
tried with great success in other
States and l commend the subject to
the careful consideration of the Leg
islature. 1t is one which appeals TO
manhood and philanthropy with pecu-
liar force and earnestness.
1 In Governor Burleighs first admin
istration one of the most active cam
paigns in behalf of the bill for the re-
formatory was conducted. In ms sec
ond administration he spoke in his
inaugural message very forcibly in
behalf OF the same.
X is needless to follow the vicissi-
tudes of these bills as session after
session they have been unfavorably
acted upon or referred to the next
Legislature
During all these years this measure
was the special care of the State Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union.
In May. 1908, the Maine Prison As
ISOLATION was formed having for its
general object TO interest the public
in the right treatment of criminals
and TO promote effective measures for
their cure and rehabilitation and Tor
the prevention of crime"
The association issues leaflets from
time to time on matters for proposed
legislation. Two years ago its cam
paien before the Legislature was in
behalf of three bills: The Children's
Act Guyenile Court, a County Farm