880 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 17

females who have had tiie misfortune to lead an evil life, and
who wish to abandon their vicious course and reform. Persons
are to be received without distinction of creed, age, or place
of birth or residence.

"Article 5th. This institution shall be under the charge
of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd," an association of ladies
who devote themselves, their time, and all their means
exclusively to the care, instruction and reformation of that
otherwise friendless class of unfortunates.

The ladies of this community conduct the establishment
without receiving any pecuniary compensation for their ser-
vices, solely through motives of charity and benevolence.

It may be proper to state that similar institutions have
been in successful operation for a number of years in the
cities of Louisville, Philadelphia, St. Louis, New Orleans,
Now York, Cincinnati and Buffalo. In most, if not all of
these cities, the States wherein they are located contribute
liberally to their maintenance. In Louisville—the parent
house—the State pays forty cents for adults and thirty cents
tor junior inmates per day. In Cincinnati the control ot
the female prison is committed entirely to the manage-
ment of a similar community of ladies, with ft result most
satisfactury to the friends of humanity, and economical to
the State Treasury.

A kind and strict discipline is enforced without resort to
harsh or painful treatment of the inmates. They are not
subjected to the observation of visitors, and the names of
individuals are not disclosed even to the members of the
community. Everything is done to gain the confidence of
these unfortunate creatures, and with such success that in
a short time after their entrance into the institution they
generally conform to the regulations of the house with
docility and affection. The rule requires all to be indus-
triously employed, and every one is instructed in some fit-
ting trade or occupation to qualify her to earn an honest
livelihood on her departure from the institution.

This House of the Good Shepherd, was opened in August,
1864. Since that time one hundred and ninety-eight
women and girls have been admitted to the benefits of the
institution. At present seventy-four are actually residing
in the House. These are divided into three separate classes.
The "Magdalenes," who, having shown for a long period
of time evidence of entire reformation, are permitted to
remain permanently in the House.

The " Penitents," who are retained for a longer or shorter
period, of time, according to circumstances, and afterward?
returned to their friends, or provided with safe homes.