The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-22
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES

rrcIest ASabnst the Pass9Ge Of tho Bill to
ture.
The following protest against the bill to abol-
ish the Board of Public Charities has been ad-
dressed to the Legislature
To the Senate and House of Representatives OF
the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania: Gentlemen:
We have seen that q bill has been introduced into
the Legislature to repeal the act for the creation of
the Board Of Public Charities. or the grounds of
an instrument capable of great good may be de-
sTSya beg 9enes to present same sn
D5i'VS and as we are GsSnb members Of Of the the
board we hope that we win not be deemed intrusive
in so doing; If the persons who constitute the
obviously proper to remove them, or 10 suggest
their designations. If the expense OF maintaining
the organization be Objectionable, it would be well
to try the experiment OF gratutous services: for
convinced are we that the plan is not only good,
community, that we persuaded that sufficient
number OF competent citizens eau be found who Will
execute the ONCE without expense rather than that
the work should be abandoned The only necessary
expenses at present are the salaries of the General
Agent and Corresponding Secretary, and some in
1t seems by some to be supposed that the only pur
pose to be accomplished by the board is TO assist the
Legislature to make an intelligent distribution of
the funds of the State applied to charitable objects
This is an important duty, but it is small part Of
the Commonwealth, as one of its prerogatlyes Of
sovereignty, power known among lawyers as the
vistoria BY virtue OF this the State has the right,
and it is her duty to that institutions designed
for and property dedicated to public objects
beDefciaries personally incapable of enforcing
their rights the duties OF the agents Of such in
stitutions and property; Happily for for this State
are few instances in which there is reason to
pect an intentional neglect of duty or misappropria
tiOn Of charitable funds.
1t cannot fall however, that such evils will arise.
recent instance will present itself to your minds,
developed through the instrumentality OF board.
Another has in past years accidentally found its way
into the courts and been exposed. But there Is
surely ed or some organization that will be free
from the actual administration of charl-
ties or public NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. powers
shall be devoted not so much to redress grievances
as to point out wronps and mistakes, and leave the
that az there sS be- an
the sanction of the Government to call public atten
tion to the wants of those in the State who are
incapable of helping themselves, and to whom the
State owes duty. And is 1t not also desirable that
there shall be an Institution whose object
men OF the State in using its power most udciously
for the amelioraon of the miseres of the helpless
of the other States of the Union have thus pro.
| ceeded, and they are certainly among the
cVzaon aaessns ss9srywheTe
has declared these objects to be duties of the State,
a. 1een eg
engaged Ia guarding the State, the Official rulers,
must OF necessity, look for assistance to others in
| this collateral way upon many subjects. Their
| public duties leave them time to give to such
details or such labor may be distaseful to them.
1t was in view Of these. and other considerations
and aims that the Senate in March, 1868, appointed
a committee to investigate and report scheme
by which this duty of the State could be executed.
| The re resolution runs thus-
"Whereas, 1t has been the wise and settled policy
OF the Legislature to establish State, charitable,
| and correctional institutions;
"And tohereas, 1t is necessary for the proper un-
derstandng OF the condition ana wants of these in
stutions that accurate information should be fur
nlshed annually, with view to proper legislation
"ResolUed, That committee of two be appointed
by the Senate, who, in connection with the Supern
tendent of Common Schools be instructed to in.
| Board
State Charities, and make such report to the next
meeting Of the Legislature, by bill or otherwise as
| they may deem expedient, to procure more appro-
pirate and efficient system OF aid to these nstitu-
In is6s, an elaborate report was presented cover
ng fifty closely printed pages; and upon considering
this, the Legislature enacted the law which it is now
| proposed to repeal.
You are already aware Of the unhappy difference
that arose between the board and one of its mem
has been snch delay in laying before you the resul
OF our years work.
we were not in position to render 1t possible FOL
us to comply with that requrement OF the statute
until after the middle of February. Having obtained
the papers of the board ar that time, our report
prepared in less than two weeks, and left with the
State printer the first of March. The reasons fol
the delay in furnishing you with the printed repOr
| we cannot explain. We think when that is before
you it will be discovered that our time has not beer
useiessly employed, nor have the expenses of the
| board been a waste OF the public money.
One other matter is important. We have eX-
amined and reported upon ABOUT two,thirds OF the
| OF 1862 We are now engaged in the labor of com
pleting the survey, and gathering the remaining IN
| formation which the act requires, and which We
believe should be obtained and recorded for the full
enlightenment OF the Legis ature and the public or
these important subjects. Thls we shall be able tt
| accomplish in the course Of the present year.
All which is respectfully submitted,
GEORGE L. HARRISON,
G. DAWSON COLEMAN,
| CHARLES A. WOOD
WILMER WoRTHINGToN,
| Secretary and General Agent,
Harrisburg, March 20, 1871.