Tells of Woman in. Adrian, Mich., Institution Who Turns Refractory Maids Over Her -Knee and Applies Slipper Sole.

probably true that divine grace, working through the sympathetic and loving service of a fellow mortal, Is the only adequate instrumentality for the reformation of a deformed human character. And yet the Infliction of physical pain by chastisement may secure obedience to the rules of an Institution and place thoso thus reduced to obedience on the high road toward moral regeneration. It mny bo the occasion If not the cause of reformation of character. “The disciplinarian who knows nothing of tho’ duties appertaining to his ottlee, nothing of the psychology, penology and nuinan nature, knows no way of securing obedience to wholesome regulations other than by the application of an overmastering physical force: but the disciplinarian who has learned his business and has some nptltude for the’ place he occupies will hold the infliction of physical pain in reserve for cases in wiilch all other known methods of securing obedience have failed. Without obedience to rules no reformatory Institution can accomplish anygood thing, and where such obedience cannot be secured through diplomacy it may sometimes be conquered through war. In such cases the end will justify the means. “Corporal punishment Is as good for girls as for boys, although less frequently required. I do not know any well-ordered Institution where men whip girls, nnd any institution not headed by a woman capable of handling the problem herself can hardly runk aa well ordered.”

A. J. Pillsbury, a member of the California state bourd of examiners, has been making a study of eastern pena.l Institutions and has written v letter to officers in Los Angelen referring to the investigation recently made at Whittler. ■”•■’ .”. I;.-: h .■-..■ i— -\ Mr. Pillsbury discusses corporal punishment tt-nd suya that in New York this mode of chastisement has been abolished. In Michigan, however, h» says one of the matrons occasionally turns a refractory girl over her knee and applies a slipper vigorously. In conclusion Mr. . Pillsbury declares corporal punishment la as good for glrla as It is for boys. ‘ ;’.’,; Following is his letter: “Apropos of the recent unfortunate | occurrences at Whittler state school, it may be protltable to consider the attitude of well-ordered eastern Institutions toward the subject of the Intliction of physical pain as. a remedial and disciplinary measure. During the investigations I have recently made In eastern states I kept this issue constantly In mind. -,;.’•■< .’ “New York does not permit corporal punishment In any of its reformatory Institutions, but. the equivalent of it has been attained through systems of fatigue duty, bread and: water diet and close confinement. An occasional chas- I tisement would Inflict less physical Injury and be the sooner, over. i.Massachusetts does not object to .the .occasional spoiling of a hickory rod on a spare child if It cannot be made, to mind In any other way. ■;•.,- 1 – # .’ “The highly capable and: efficient superintendent of the girts” reform school at Adrian, Mich., occasionally, turns a refractory girl across her knee and applies the sole of a. rubber shoe with beneficial effects. “i ‘ >’ ; ‘\- • “The almost Incomparable superintendent of the girls’ reform school at { Geneva, 111./ uses a strong, room for ‘ a refractory pupil and if that does not 1 serve, puts her -In a box down In the basement. This- is much : akin to a steam bath appliance and leaves only the head sticking out of the lid. It is an adaptation of the ancient Idea of the Blocks, and is not physically- preferable to a (witching. ■ “The George Junior republic empowers the superintendent to administer the switch in e»«*».not Covered by thti law and where expedition is advisable. It is believed that the law Is careful to leave uncovered* certain classes of cases best reached by the switch) “It la probable that moral reformation is never accomplished through the Infliction of physical pain alone. It is