The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-02

ILL V4A01xo0 0NO Ok1A14x
The Founding AsyIum-Its Present
Position and How IL May BE Affected
by the New Charter-A Noble Instttu-
tion Endangered by the Fanaticism OF
"Reformers.''
Some four years ago the crime OF infanticide
ragged to such an extent in this and neighborinR
cities that the good OF Charity determined 10
| make an effort to establish an asylum such as ex-
listed In almost all other large cities, both ON this
Continent and In Europe, and endeavor, II possible,
to prevent great destruction OF human life. as
well as AFFORD an opportunity for any unfortunate
women who might choose to take advantage OF
the opportunity and thus avert the danger to such
people OF falling into greater crime and becoming
Outcasts from society. With such views Mother
Jerome and Sister Irene commenced the work of
founding an asylum. The matter was not long in
contemplation before 1t was put in practice, and
in October, 1859, house in East Twelfth street.
near Broadway, was secured, and the work
commenced. The idea was novel in this
city, and while 1t was most gen.
erously fostered and encouraged, yet there
were some who claimed that such an institution
only encouraged crime. These narrow minded
people were fortunately very few. Some how
ever, are yet Of the same opinion, although all the
facts in the case tend to show that their reason
ing. or rather arguing, is incorrect and their con-
illusions unfounded. 1t was supposed that there
might be about one hundred children in the year
lett at the Founding Asylum, but to the astonish.
ment Of all there were fully that many committed
to the care of the Sisters during the FIRST month.
And so it kept until the projectors of the
charity found they had not room enough to accom-
moGate the
NUMBERS OF HELPLESS ONES
entrusted to them. more commodious house on
North Washington square was leased, and there
the asylum is located at present, and has now
within Its walls an MANTLE army, to which addl-
lions are daily made such would ntimdate
those with hearts less brave than the noble Sis
ters To keep such an institution In existence is
no light task. 1t cannot possibly be sell-suppOrt-
ing, and must depend In great part on the efforts
ing the amount OF good which the asylum
was performing, the Legislature in 1870 allowed the
sum OF 81 per week for the support Of each child,
and In 1871 increased the amount to So each. In
1872 however. the amount was appOrtioned so that
there would be granted for each child an amount
equal to the estimated cost OF maintaining children
| in the Infant Asylum under the commissioners OF
Charities and Correction. BY this means the Sisters
csild, while careful computation shows that it
costs them fully $40 per month Tor each. The
deficit tends to increase greatly the heavy burden
under which the institution is at present labor
ing, and makes the duties OF the good ladies' in
charge more wearing and wearying on then
Having embarked in SO cOmmendabe work, how
ever they cannot give 1t up although, should the
charter now under consideration IN the State
w,
Assembly, there may be grave doubts as to whether
the institution Will not be
OBLIGED TO SUSPEND
or else contract It's sphere OF usefulness The ques
ton may arise as TO whether the Asylum for
Foundngs should come under the head OF
tartan institutions. Certainly 1t Is chartered by
religious corporation; but no question OF religion
can be considered among the inmates who either
voluntarily or involun tariy become the recipients
OF the maternal care and Christian consolation OF
The worthy Senators should see to 1t that safe.
a rd nj nd Af "a fv IN no
tinuance OF a work so grand, so Christian and so
humane be obtained. While there may be found
found a single one who has ever visited the asylum
that can mud In his or her heart to say aught
ment. The poor little waits at present number
some thirteen hundred and are for the most part
happy.ooking and generally very intelligent.
UNLIKE CHILDREN IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS,
they are not dressed and drilled alike; they are
not stlled in their actions, but those of them who
can run about are allowed to gambOl as II they
were in their own homes, and they frolc about
with all the evidences Of happiness as II they could
and would grow up without any reason to blush
belong. There are some 100 nurses and among
them are some 400 or 500 Protestant women
even the asylum cannot be called strictly sec
tartan. The only requirements are that
nurse shall have certificate from some competent
physician, stating that she Is healthy and COM
the care OF children or course all these are not
in the Asylum-many take the children home with |
them ana bring them no along with their own |
families, while in the house number OF honor
ably married women, who are in poor clrcum-
stances and who are engaged to act as nurses
Besides these, and mnghng with them, women
who, like many who have gone before them
'1earned too late that men betray" so that the
visitor cannot distinguish between the fortu-
nate and unfortunate ones, and q chance IL thus
given the women
TO PRESERVE THEIR REPUTATION
and avoid the degradation into which they other
wise might fall THIS phase OF the work done by
the founding of the asylum Is fully praiseworthy
as that for which 1t at first solely intended, |
saved to themselves and to society. and saved also
from destroying their offspring and adding other
wise to the already too long list of crimes
The plea that such an asylum offers any encourage |
ment to crime falls to the ground when met by the |
arguments that many children, If not more, |
were received during the first year OF the existence
OF the asylum as in subsequent year, and that,
as above stated, the institution was only contem-
plated a few weeks before 1t was opened. The |
good that the asylum has done cannot be over |
estimated. The papers not now teeming with |
records OF cases OF infanticide, in years past.
The morals OF the mothers are improved. either |
by entering the asylum Tor time themselves or by |
calling from time to time and receiving advice as
great many 90 at present. The reverend ladies' in
charge are so earnest In their work and SO self |
denying that they have really room In the pres
ent building they may call their own. The new |
building, ON Sixty-eighth street ana Lexington
that by June or July the main building and one
pavilion will be habitabe.
1t is to be hoped, as above stated that some
sure provision will be made for this institution,
and that the famous anti-sectarian clause may be
SO amended as to avert the possibility OF closing