The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-11-08
MRS. ROCKERS OPINION OF
THE SCHOOL AT MARIANA

Mrs. William Hooker of this city
has always been a faithful worker for
the improvement of our public insti-
tutions. In view of the present reve'
Iations of matters at Mariana, the
following from report that she made
before the State Federation Of Wom-
ans Clubs two years ago is very in
teresting:
"In 1911, | think, at the board
meeting in Palatka, Mrs. w. B.
Young of Jacksonville and Mrs. Hen
ry Wright of Sanford, asked me to go
with them to Mariana to see if the
conditions were such as they had
heard. could not go, but they did
go and published report which was
sent to each legislator. The report
was conservative, for the conditions
were unspeakable and disgrave to
the state This was the beginning of
the federation's interest in what was
then known as the reform school,
but was in reality only miserable
place of detention. Our report caused
quite stir, as we hoped, and brought
a little increase in appropriations.
We continued to talk and write and
early in 1914 Mrs. Young. Mrs. Frank
Jennings and | went to Mariana to
inspect the school, and if possible, to
organize woman's club in Mariana
that would keep somewhat in touch
with it. We found things still in a
deplorable condition. For months
was haunted with the memory of
poor little wizened, half-naked, bare
footed fellows and the bare, desolate
building with many of the window
panes missing and the iron bars and
the double-decked cots with single
cotton blanket, though the weather
was SO cold that we almost froze in
our heaviest winter clothes, and / re-
member that we slept under four
pairs Of blankets at the hotel that
night. There was no show of any
sort of industrial training and only a
miserable pretense Of a plain school
with teacher who looked too dull to
teach the alphabet. The colored insti-
tuition near by was more cheerful and
well kept. There seemed to be col
ored woman, sort of matron, who
taught the boys to sew and cook and
wash, and they were clean and decent
looking.
"There is sub-board for the man.
agement of these schools and at that
time, Judge Baker of Jacksonville,
was chairman. / know that he did his
very best to get good superintend-
ent but it was not possible with the
small appropriation allowed by the
state. After the disastrous fire, the
legislature began to take notice. Our
federation was in session in Lakeland
at the time of the fire and we wired
regrets to the governor and urged
the erection of new buildings on the
cottage plan. Mrs. w. S. Jennings has
recently visited the school and re-
ports much progress, but still much
to be desired.
ssAs said, we met with the WON
en- at Mariana and tried to organize
club and things looked hopeful but
after we left nothing was done. Mrs.
Jennings has since tried, with the
same experience. The women told US
that it was simply impossible to get
the cooperation of the men in any
sort of civic work
"Prof. j. L. Boone is now superin-
tendent wrote him some three
weeks ago setting forth the interest
of the club women in the school and
asked him to write me anything of
interest that might bring you.
have had no reply"