Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-24
rhe soIdlers, orphans, Department

/ The Soldiers Orphans Department.
There is no department of the govern
ment Of Pennsylvania which reflects more
( credit upon all connected with it than that
I which has charge of the maintenance and
I education Of orphans of Pennsylvania S sol
diers Established By Governor Curtin in
/ furtherancc OF his oft repeated pledge to the
I departing regiments Of the State, it has been
/ tostered and extended by Governor Geary
/ with such faithful and intelligent care that
/ 1t has grown into great educational system
/ Of lncaiculable advantage, as 1t Is OF high
/ honor, to the Commonwealth.
GOgeruor G-eary's good judgement and
! patriotism Wers manifested IN selecting one
/ Of the crippled heroes of the war as the Su-
/ perinteudent cf Soldiers Orphans, and Col
onel NJ Farland has discharged his novel
+ and onerous duties with a degree of faith
I fUlness and ability worthy of all praise. The
/ foundations of the system we're LAID BY his
! predecessor, the Hon. Thomas IL. Bur
/ rowes but the superstructure, beneath whose
kindly shelter nearly four thousand orphaned
/ boys and girls now find protection and edu-
cation has been reared and perfected by
J Colonel VI Farlaud, with o patient perseve-
rance, an intelligent comprehension of the
requirements of the case, and a rigid regard
{ for the honest and economical expenditure
Of the public money, which have been most
gratifying to all who have taken the trouble
( to watch the course of his administration.
J We take ii for granted that Governor
/ Geary will continue this important depart
ment of the government under its present
efficient direction. Its machinery is all now
/ iu coed running order, and it Is most desira-
/ ble that the well digested plans Of the pres
/ ent excellent superintendent shall be carried
/ into their full effect under the same mind
4 and hand that have devised aud arranged
/ them. There is always a certain amount of
restless desire to find fault with the most
unexceptionable public servants, and Super
/ ntendent NJ Earland has had his share of
unjust criticism and blame from those who
+ have been unwilling to take the little troub-
I le necessary to disabuse their minds Of pref
udiee engendered by foolish and false re
reports. But the soldiers orphan schools
Of the State afford the highest proof OF their
excellent and constantly improving manage
ment, while every detail OF the financial af-
/ fairs Of the department invites the freest
and fullest scrutiny.
/ We are glad to learn that Governor Geary
! contemplates the recommendation of
measure in connection with this Depart
/ ment which viii relieve the State Of por-
ton of its expense, aud fix a definite limit 10
/ the duration of the system. The present
I law provides for the care of the orphans of
Pennsylvania soldiers who died in the
war, and this law has been literally con
strued to include the cases Of soldiers dying,
from wounds OF disease contracted in the
service, after the close of the war It IS
now proposed to establish a fixed period al-
ter the close of the war-say the lst Of
/ May, lS66-as the latest period of orphan
4 age to be recognized by the State, unless the
parent died, undischarged from the service,
/ after that period This will somewhat re-
duce the number Of applicants yet to be re-
ceiyed, and will fix a definite point for the
] eNniraiIon of the system.