The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-13
CITY INTELLIG NOE
GFor additional Local Items see Third Page.I

ence ever assembled In Concert Hall as that
which convened there last night to witness the
ceremonies connected with the Inauguration of
the Home for Little Wanderers No. $40 South
stree, an institution the claims of which upon
pubic sympathy and support have been tre-
quenty presented through the columns of The
TELEGRAPH during the past TWO months. The
exercises were of most interesting and i'm
presslve character, awakening in the hearts of
all present deep feeling OF sympathy for the
cause of the thousands of frendless children
our city.
Ex-Governor Pollock, on taking the chair,
made some appropriate remarks in regard TO the
object and origin OF the Home for Little Wan
derers, paying well-merited tribute to its Super
intendent and originator, Mr.. Seigired. His
remarks we're followed by beautiful hymn,
sung by the twelve little girls from the Home
for Little Wanderers New York. Prayer was
then offered by Rev. DR.. Stork, after which the
first Report of the Advising Committee was read
From the Report we CLEAN the following inter-
esting facts:-
Permanent boarders.
Aggregate. ............,....,.,..,,...65
BY permanent boarders are meant those chill
dren who receive all their meals and are lodged
at the Home. Transient ones are the children
of industrious mothers who find occupation
abroad during the day, and who, but for the ad-
mirable arrangements OF the Home in taking
care of their children during their absence,
would be unable TO earn a subsistence. These
children, as well as permanent boarders are fed
and taught during the days the transient ones
being taken to their homes by the mothers on
their return from work in the evening, and the
permanent ones lodging in the Home. The food
is substantial and nutritious, as we'll as abundant.
The house. although not as well adapted to the
purposes OF such an institution is desirable,
was the best that under the circumstances
could be secured
The arrangements of the kitchen, bed school,
and play-rooms, are as complete as could be
Cleanliness m
department. The children are taught daily in
the school-room, b. competent teachers, the
instructions being of strictly moral and reli-
glous character, coupled with which are lessons
in sewing, singing, etc. The children appear
contented and nappy, and give marked evidence
OF Improvement. The report of the Treasurer
is as 1ollows:-Cash receipts from December 20,
1865, the date OF the first donation, TO Feb
ruary IL, 1866, S3565'91. Expended during the
same period, $2ll44O. Leaving balance OF
$l451'5l.
In addition to the above a number of valuable
donations OF fuel clothing, groceries, bread,
milk, ETC., were received. The Committee have
inquired carefully into the system adopted by
the Superintendent and his aids in dispensing
outdoor as wel as indoor relief. The Com
mittee take pleasure IN stating that the duty
has been judtciously and impartlally performed.
Special donations for specific purposes have
in all cases been disbursed in compliance with
the wishes of the donors. The institution is
entirely free from sectarIan bias, nearly every
denomination in the city being represented
ing force Of the Home as at present constituted
consists OF a superintendent, Assistant Superin-
tendent Matron, clerk, two teachers, lady
physician, four missionaries, housekeeper, and
two persons who superintend the bath and
laundry.
Rev. w. D. Siegfried, the founder of the Home
in this city, addressed the audience, reviewing
the operations OF the Home and the circum-
stances under which it was organized.
Another song was sung by the little girls, after
which the audience was addressed by the Hon.
Oliver Dyer, of Brooklyn, who in graphic
manner described his visit, on last Saturday
night, to some of the most noted localities of
vice and poverty in our city. The visit was made
for the express purpose OF supplying facts tor the
consideration OF the meeting. His remarks were
listened TO with breathless attention. Doubtless
many of those present were inclined to doubt the
correctness Of some of his statements; but it was
apparent to all who are familiar with the local
ties described, that, so far from eXaggeraton, his
details, graphic they were fell far short of the
actual facts.
Rev. G. w. Van Meter was next introduced,
and, in a speech of the most thrilling character,
riveted the attention and aroused the sympa-
thes Of the audience Taking in his arms
sweet little girl OF four years, one of the Little
Wanderers" from the Home in South street. he
appealed to the audience in behalf of the thou
| sands such as she whom this and other lnst-
| tutlons OF kindred character were striving to
from the clutch OF the destroyer. There was
aneloquence in the appearance of this pretty child
| which subdued every heart, and when Mr.. Van
Meter appealed to the mothers andfathers present,
| asking Them in the name and for the sake OF
| their own offspring, to aid in holding up the
| hands of those who were so faithfully endeavor-
| ing to give homes, food and geducation to those
| poor little ones, the appeal was irresistible.
! There was scarcely dry eye in that immense
| audience. The right chord had been touched.
| All the sympathies Of parents present went out
towards that little child and her companions,
and substantial expression was given to that
sympathy in the shape OF contributions amount
| ing to S2500 as nearly as can be computed. At
| the close of Mr.. Van Meters remarks. another
cheerful song sung by the little girls, during
| which the children from the Home in South
| street were brought to the front of the stage,
where the audience had fair opportunity OF
seeing what has already been accomplished
| there.
They were all neatly Clad and looked COM
Portable and happy. When it is remembered
that less than sixty days ago nearly every one
| of these children was an inmate OF some dismal
cellar or cherries garret, surrounded with
| every incentive to vice, and with no redeeming
influences, it needed moi the oloquence of Mr..
| Van Meter, or the graphic descriptions of Mr..
| Dyer to convince the audience that the
work was a good one, demanding the
earnest, heartfelt support and announcement
| OF every Christian man and woman; and that
| such support will be extended this praiseWorthy
institution, there cannot be a doubt. Our clti-
zens will not suffer work so auspciOusly begun,
so completely successful in its very initiation
to languish for want OF the means necessary
not only to sustain it IN its present condition,
but to enlarge its sphere OF usefulness by en-
I larging its facilities. In a word, the Home for
be regarded as one OF the permanent and
praiseWorthy charities OF our good city.
The closing speech was made by Charles E.
Lex, Esq, who urged upon the audience the
importance of sustaining the enterprise. After
the singing OF another hymn, IN the chorus of
| Ioh hn uvhn inlnnl wit hao rtxr