Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-27
WoRCE Err.
SATURDAY, CANARY "a. 1s4a.


board, the general agent and the visiting agent,
contains very full and satisfactory record of
the condition, organization and methods of
agencies employed under state authority in
charitable and relormatory work. The board,
as is well known, is composed OF gentlemen Of
high character and recognized ability, who give
much time and the results of their experience
and knowledge 10 this beneicent work without
compensation. Their travelling expenses, which
represent the whole cost TO the stale OF iheT
services as a experimenting and advisory BODY,
amounted during the year TO S5ol.9S- Inc
salaried officers are the secretary, MIR. Edward L.
Pierce the special agent for the sick state poor,
the general agent, with his assistants and depu-
ties, the visiting agent and assistants and clerks
employed in the several departments. The
whole expense to the state OF the work under
the superintendence of the board was SAG, 1921
of which the travelling expenses of the mem
bers of the board are stated above; the cost Of
the secretary's department was S9526.29; of the
special agent for the sick state poor, H. B.
Wheelright, s44S7 O9; of the general agent, S.
c. Wrightington, SIT ,642. 81; and of the visiting
agent, Gardiner Tufts, 14,5S5.59. Some of
these agencies have for one of their leading OBJ
iects to guard the financial interests of the state;
that of Colonel Tufts is almost altogether de
voted 10 protecting the interests and advancing
the welfare of the states wards, the children
who are arrested for criminal offences or are
otherwise brought within the scope of the chari-
bic and reformatory work OF the state institu-
tions. These 6gares are nowhere, so far as we
can find, brought together as we think they
should be, but are scattered through the several
reports.
The work of the board and its several depart
meuts is so varied and extensive that it is i'm
possible for us to review it at all. Even to give in
the brefest possible form summary of the re-
suits in each department, would occupy more
space than we can command. The reports of
the board and the separate report of the secrc-
tary contain, besides the statistical tables and
the general review of the work accomplished or
attempted, much interesting and suggestive
matter, the result of the experience and obser-
walton of practical and thoughtful meu, deeply
interested in the welfare Of the unfortunate per-
sons whom they are appointed to protect. Not
contented with simply experimenting the adj
ministration of the state charities under existing
laws, they seek to get and impart information
hhNeS
defective, to comprehend the social problems
involved in their work, TO suggest desirable
changes in the laws under which they act, and
to compel progress in every direction which
seems to lead towards a more systematic, effec-
tive, bcnefcent and economical administration
of the states charitable agencies.
Some previous reports have contained discus
sions of important general principles and ques-
tions, and have explained the line Of policy
adopted by the board in advising and forward
ing measures for promoting an improved adj
ministration of existing charitable and correc
tional institutions. This report contains dis
cription of the agencies and machinery by
viii III the board works, an account of the work
accomplished, with explanatory remarks, and
some special recommendations. From this re-
port we find that the duties of the several de-
partments are substantially as follows: First,
the secretary, who, more than any other officer,
is the direct representative of the board. His
duties are to superintend the clerical business,
keep the records and conduct the correspond
ence; to attend the legislative committees, ex
plain the condition of the institutions supervised
by the board, and the laws relating to
them already enacted or bills pre-
pared, to draft bills, etc. He has
also in charge the preparation Of
the annual report upon the affairs of the several
Institutions and the treatment of special topics.
Second. The general agent has assigned to him a
large part of what is called the outdoor bust
ness of the board. He must visit the lunatic
hospitals, almshouses and other institutions
where state paupers are supported, and obtain
all necessary information as to where they prop
erly belong. If he finds they have a settlement
in the state or elsewhere, he must take all legal
means to transfer the burden OF support to the
place Of settlement, and, where practicable, re-
cover all expenses incurred. He makes com.
plants against inmates of the state almshouses
for offenses, attends to the transfer OF children
from state almshouses and elsewhere to the statt
primary school, selects, with the aid of the super
intendents of lunatic asylums, such of the harm
less insane as may be transferred to the asylum
at Tewksbury, and attends to the applications o
persons confined in asylums for their discharge
In the performance of these duties he is aidet
by a deputy, an assistant aud an examining
officer, whose salaries amount to $4,000 per year
The general agent also superintends the landin!
of immigrants at all the ports of the state, and
enforces all the provisions of law concerning
the introduction of aliens and strangers by sea
he causes foreign paupers TO be removed TO tn,
places without the limits of the state which ar,
under obligations to support them, if there are
such places ascertanable by him, and attends
to the transfer of persons from one state nstitu-
ton to another. He has also the duty of giving
information or advice relative to paupers to all
persons seeking it, and attending to all matters
of businessi which do not properly belong tc
other departments.
Third. The visitor of the state sick poor is re
qured to investigate the cases of persons who
having no settlement in the state, are aided b!
the oyerseers of cities and towns, while 100 i'll
be removed TO a state amshouse. He aseer
tains all the facts in the case, superintends tn
supply of necessaries, audits the bills, of wbicl
there are about 1900 yearly. He also invest
gates the settlements Of deceased state paupers
audits the bills for their burial, and performs al
other duties in relation TO state paupers not in
mates of any state institution. Fourth. TIL,
state visiting agent looks after the interest of al
youth brought, or about to be brought, before q
court, and takes charge Of such as are
but whom it is not thought
Iiecessaaassa. 20 send to a penal or reform
atory institc.ion. He visits and look
after children sent out from the reformalor!
institutions and state primary school to b
brought up in private families, sees that the!
arc properly treated and have all the advantage
promised to them. These are, very summari
stated, the agencies employed by the board
They are all represented to be in an effectiy
and satisfactory condition, doing at moderat
expense work that must be done, some of whic
is a direct saving Of much more than its cost
and another part Of it, aside from its moral an,
honorary obligation, is OF incalculable value il
It's tendency to prevent vice and bring up witt
favorable opportunities for respecabiity am
usefulness many young persons who, il left +
themselves, have no prospect but degradation
aud misery.
Rev. Mr.. STEBBISs, Of San Francisco, mad
an effective point against political demagoeisr
in California, while speaking at the dinner give