Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-22
The washington Orphan Asylum.

~. I n
Persons connected with charitable associa
tons Of this city, learning that the Protestan,
Orphan Asylum was too limited inits means
70 provide adequately for the destitute children
requiring It's support, have asked Of the mana
gers statement of its condition, with view
to lis relief. The ladies' who manage it have
concluded to make their statement public, that
oil who are inclined to take some care Of the
helpless and unfortunate children, and contri.
butte to their maintenance and education, may
know where their charity can be bene6cially
bestowed, both as regards the object Of it, and
the city OF, which they form part.
The Protestant Orphan Asylum of Washing
ton nurtures and educates family of fifty or
sixty orphans, at a cost of from $4,000 to $4,000
per annum. It's means are $3.50 from regular
subscribers, $784 from invested legacies and
donations, $500 from the Orphan Asylum of
Georgetown, for the support Of four Of its or
phans. The entire fund, which may be relied
on with some certainty for supplies is little
more than $1,000. Fortuitops contributions
have, from time to time, relieved the institution
from the arrearages incident 70 its narrow
means. Supplies being obtained in the interim
on credit when the money at command was
exhausted, debt of thousand dollars thus
contracted, was, during the last year. paid BY
collections taken up in several Of the churches.
The report Of the Philadelphia Orphan So.
ciety, probably one Of the best managed CHAIR
ties in our country, shows that during the last
year one hundred aud twelve orphans were sup
ported and educated at charge of $8S3l.
The Washington Asylum, during the same
IL u
at O cost of about $4,000. The Philadelphia
Institution has grown strong in resources by
the Mberality of Benevolent individuals and as
sociations. It's income exceeds it's expendi-
lures. The Washington Institution, which has
its foundation in the real estate given by Mrs.
Marcia Van Ness, and the edi6ce, erected on
it by subscriptions, would be enabled to do all
TINT is necessary for the destitute orphans of
the metropolis IL it could add TO its means q
certain annuity of 81 500. Cannot the benevo-
lent associations Of this city the prosperous and
charitable among its citizens, who would build
up its reputation and their own, contribute
means to establish such fund? IN y .ssf..
The managers appeal to all charitable ASSOC
Citations, and such individuals to take some
measures to assure the permanent prosperity
Of the institution or, at least, TO make pro-
vision against the hardships to be expected
from the dearth of the coming winter. The
care of the destitute orphans of the metropolis
is committed to it, and yet the city govern
ment, instead of contributing to sustain this
asylum Of its own poor and forsaken children,
taxes its property to make streets, pavements,
pumps, de-, for the public emolument. This
is to take from the food and raiment supplied
by charity to the most harmless, helpless, hope
less of our race; little ones unable TO work or
beg. And yet such as, if allowed to live, be-
come useful members Of the community, me-
chanics who build up the city, tradesmen who
contribute to its wealth and comfort, to some
of whom we can point with pride as patrons Of
the institution, and those who emerge from it.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81, 1854 Hait 10