National Republican., 1876-04-05
IEpVsfRIAL HOME SCHOOL.
Protest in Behalf Of the Board Of Asnsgs,

Protest in Behalf Of the Board Of Managers.
The District Commissioners yester Jay recetved
the following communication:
Hon. ConmissioaeTs Of the District Of Colurbio:
GENTLEMEN: We have noticed with surprise
the Communication Of Colonel Timothy Lubsy,
commissioner Of the Washington Asylum, rec.
ommending that the Alms-house property In
Georgetown, the occupancy Of which yoa gener-
ousi, s.antsd one year ago to the Industrial
Home School, be set apart asa retormstory iRstl'
tuition for prostitutes. We admit the necessity Of
such an institution, but respectfully protest
against having an Industrial Institution Of far
greater importance to the community at large
supplanted BY an establishment for the support
ard reform OF confirmed pross.Tutss, the number
ofEhieh woulS 80 reduced to an unnotioesble
sImsm we're industrial schools sasn Is me me
country and properly encouraged py 'n0se ln
ills axell.es.sblished fac. that prostitution is
mainly the result Of an Inability on the part OF
girls to learn suitable trades to make them self.
Supporting and independent. The lowest forms
sibly be effectively reached by correctional and
reformatory insti buttons as suggested by Colonel
LuDey) can far
MORE EFFECTIVELY BE PREVENTED
BY Industrial houses for the children Of the poor,
have maintained.
Our Institution is not an experiment. l. has
been in operation over sisht ysa ysnd stpUEnilns
against difficulties known only 70 those engagee
III the work. During that time 473 children had
TO numerous young men and women who are
earning an honest living who received their hrst
education and help ffGm our % i ~ s1noT i
IN the District now in operation at the George
town almshouse, which it is proposed to divert
ness and crime 70 that OF an Institution for its
punishment and reform: We ask your honorable
body to examine the subject well before you act
in the premises. Removing or palliating the
effects OF prostitution will not remove the cause.
Attack the primary cause Of crime and you will
not be called upon 10 spend large sums in tempo
rarily removing its effects.
SEE TO 1T THAT EVERY GIRL
in the District Of Columbia is afforded oppor-
tunity TO attend school, and be trained to indus
try, no matter how friendless, how impoverished
her natural guardian, or how much Of outcast her
parents. Secure the enactment of laws that
shall effectively eradicate all forms OF yagrancy
among the young; see to it that laws are placed
upon your statutes that make attendance at
school obligatory, and will compel parents negli-
gent Of the future OF their children to submit to
having them made Useful citizens Of the State by
its Industrial schools where raimeut and food,
useful instruction, careful attendance In Sickness
and the oenehcent influences Of q home are &C.
school for boys who have been guilty of msde.
mesnors and crimes, where they are trained to
usefulness and industry. To enter @ there implies
with Il the stigma of some misdeed; but what
have you to offer TO the large number of chill dren
Of Oa,casts the children of the sick and destitute,
to
THE FRIENDLESs WAIF?
Nothing but what the exceedingly IimItedtmeans
and efforts OF the Industrial Home School nIs Of
tered; neither the orphan asylums, or reform
school. or almshouse meets these cases.
The child Of the druIkard and of the prostitute
is to be pitied even more than the orphan. The
honest child OF sick and destitute parents, un-
able to furnish it with proper clothing to attend
school, or the means to learn trade, should GER
tainly be equally we'll provided for by the State
as the child that enters the portals OF reforma-
tory institute on account Of crime.
We, therefore, appeal to your humanity, to
your sense OF justice, and to your dIscernment of
the truly useful, whether 1t would be charitable,
right or wise to turn out the children now under
our care IN order to make room for another estss-
lishment, while crime alone shall entitle to ad-
mission. We not only mako this appeal, not to
dispossess the Industrial Home School OF the
District OF Columbia, but we earnestly pray your
honorable body to supplement our efforts BY an
appropriation of 5000 towards increasing the
effectiveness of the Institution, and by securing
the enactment of appropriate laws which shall
extend its usefulness.
(Signed) John Hltz, president; J. L. Black
ford, Secretary; Walter S. Cox, 10 behalf Of the
board of managers, Industrial Home School Of
the District Of Columbia.