The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-10-08
me Children,s Home Project.

We last week published the proceed
ings of the Commissioners of the Coun-
ties of Stark, Colnmbiana, Mahoning,
and Portage, in regard to the establish
ing in the district they have organized,
comprising the above named Counties,
of a Home for the benefit of poor,
friendIess. outcast orphan children.
We designed to have accompanied the
proceedings with some comments, but
our time and space were too much oc-
cupied to permit; besides, it is a sub
ject upon which we and our readers
are but little acquainted. 1t will be
seen from the proceedings that the
District has been formed, the Joint
Board of Commissioners organized,
and, we are Informed that all the work
necessary to carry the project to COM
pletiOn, will be pushed forward with
as little delay as possible. This action
in SO important a matter, with so little
iconsuItatiOn with the people. and so
little discussion of its merits, appears
little basty. but it may nevertheless
be all right. We know little or moth
ing in regard to the importance or ne
cessity of these institutions. They are
something new. and may be regarded
as yet but an untried experiment, and
! in view of the fact that the project in
wolves a large outlay sOf money, it
stands those in hand who have the
custody and control of the peoples
money to survey well the whole ground
and know the necessity OF the under
taking before they add so largely to
the already burdensome taxes of the
/ people. ,i..ae fi ea afI
+ The estimated cost of the buildings
ready for occupancy is $4,000, or an
average OF $iO,0OO to each county COM
prising the District. But it is general
| " understood that the cost of institu-
tions are rarely kept down to the esti-
mates. In addition 10 this there viii
be an annual expense for officers and
employees to run the concern, ONO
one knows what. But all of this is of
little account If the necessities of the
county really require the establishing
of the institution. Upon that question
the people desire light, and they have
right to demand of the Commission
ers Information upon the subject before
the enterprise has progressed SO far as
to be beyond remedy, if it shall fail to
meet the popular approval.
In regard to these institutions, we
gather the following from an exchange:
There are but two County Homes in
the State, located in Washington and
Montgomery. Warren County has a
building about ready for occupancy,
| for the building of which a lady left
| $40, 900 by will. The two former are
suburban, the latter two miles from
Lebanon. 5J6as 98 st-tfe
The only disadvantage of locating
near town is the cOst.Of land. Church.
es, schools, social sympathy and care
TO be had only in, or near towns. ta
The Montgomery County building is
the first in the State erected for the
purpose, and has already furnished a
model mistakes and a4ll for Warren
County, and will, doubtless, be copied
still farther by other counties. Itwas
erected in 1867. Is 0t brick, dlInen-
sions 90x65 feet, three stories high, ex-
elusive of basement of ten feet. The
! first and second stories twelve feet, aud
! the third story is fourteen feet, two
4 inches in height. The original cost of
/ the building, in, 1857, was .$32, ,O00-
There are connected with the Home
seven acres of land. The scapacity of
the building, looking to the comfort
and safety ofthe children and conven-
ience of management, may be set down
at one hundred. . This combines the
school with the family, and the school
| room is an important part of the build
! inn XUHnro fo al,i "A 4
| common school,, the capacity of the
Home as such is proportionately in-
| creased. IN, tIs haG 5ssf4
On the 18th of July, there were IS
childreniin in the Home, all comfortable.
The third story of the building is un-
occupied. s,lz s1 l.ol - sa ,.t
The Warren County Home is, in
outward appearance and internal CON
struetiOn, tile counterpart, of the Mont
/ gOmery HOme--diffeFipg only in size,
being sSOx59 feet. The building is
heated by steam, and the mistake of
putting the heating apparatus and
laundry under the building has been
unfortunately mades as in the Mont
| gomery Home. 9li 5d5 .5ll fss.iy sis
This building was contracted for
sheating apparatus excepted at $l6,-
sos, ,9S, The grounds contain tifty-three
acres, cost $S, 1852. The building, when
complete, will probably cost $4,000,
= The Washington County Home, To-
Gated at Marietta, was net built ex-
pressly fOrithe purpose now used. But
| it is n convenient building, and has
connected with it one hundred and five
acres of land. f,.h IfJ n4
The above briefly describes the
Homes in the State, managed by coun-
ties alone They are all prosperous,
and accomplishing an untold good.
The District composed of Stark, Co
Iumbianas MahOning, and Portage, is
the first formed under the law. of last
winter. I ts,....I. ..,i9.,..Tf f4. tfss