The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-01

Il
McGILyRAY-ELECTIo OF OFFICERS FOR
THE ENSUING YEAR.
The anniversary celebration OF the Male
Orphan Asylum and annual meeting OF the
Society took place last night in the lecture
room of the Centenery Methodist church
In the presence Of the children OF the Male
and Female Orphan Asylums, and num-
ber OF friends Of the two institutions. The
exercises were opened with prayer by the
Rev. DIR. Edwards; after which the Presi-
dent presented his report, as follows:
RICHMOND, May 81, 1877.
Ladies and Gentlemen Of the Society,"
At the last annual meeting OF the Society,
held exactly one year ago, was instructed
BY the Board to bind out as many boys as
were OF suitable age without delay, as our
expenditures had exceeded olIr income by
about 81 900. I was also instructed not to
take in any more boys until the number IN
the asvlum has been reduced. 1t was very
difficult to carry out this last instruction
strictly, because / met with some cases OF
such absolute destitution that could only
have sent the boys to the almshouse, from
whence they would have been sent to us,
az we have agreed with the Council OF the
city to take all boys they might send us IN
consideration OF the city appropriation to
our support.
It is the easiest matter in the world TO put
out bows in any number, but to put them
to proper and safe places is very difficult
matter. I have 80 many application from
the country for cowboys" that do not
pretend to answer half of them, having
stated in several OF our annual reports, and
published in our city papers, that the So
ciety would not put boys with farmers VINO
had children except under peculiar clrcum.
stances. II a farmer, well-to-do ana or good
character. without children, will take one
of our bows at his table and in his house,
and promise to make him a farmer, we see
no objection. But the chances for the
average boy, who spends several years in
minding cows, living in an clubhouse with
negroes, and doomed to dig the balance OF
his life at ten dollars a month, are not very
promising.
T. We have gotten, we hope, good homes for
seventeen boys during the past Year-some
with mechanics, others with merchants, and
few with farmers. This is the largest
number apprenticed for many years, II not
for any wear OF the Society's history.
On the 31st of last May we had in the
asylum 70 boys; since received, 10-maklng
80: put out, II; died, 2-remaining in the
asylum to-day, 10.
One of the boys who died was so enfee-
bled by insufficient food when we received
him that he never rallied His brother, who
was received year before last, lived but q
short while after entering the asylum. II
is sad to think OF two orphans dying lndi-
rectlv from famine within sound OF SO many
Christian church bells. This mother ioped
her children well, but not wisely. Ihe
other child who died since our last meetlng
was brought to Richmond so that he mignt
be under the constant care OF bis mother,
and medicine and medical attendance was
furnished him by the Society IN the long
illness that ended in death.
The more we think of the probable fu-
ture OF our bows the more are we satisfied
Of the great importance of the formation in
them Of habits OF industry. They have no
patrimony. Their own hands and heads
must win. An orphan boy is alone IN the
world. 1t is as important to teach his bands
to work as his head to think. Except in
extraordinary times like the present 1t is
mot often that truly industrious youth IS
long out OF work. know OF number 81
cases in this city illustrative OF this remark:
As stated in our last report, We had nopec
TO nut the boys to making match-boxes
again, but finding the factory in the city
would not be re6pened we looked about for
other employment. We tried "shoe-ht.
tinpn awhile, but could not find sufficient
demand here for the work. We have lately
commenced the manufacture OF "cisars,' %
with every prospect OF success. was g lad the
other day to see the superintendent settle
in part large grocery-bill with cigars from
our factory at S25 per thousand. 1t l.
astonishing to see how readily some OF ou1
bows learn to make cigar. We hope IN
twelve months to have thirty good cigar
makers, who ought to earn IN, the four
hours work daily required OF them hity
cents q day. This calculation seems MOD.
crate. vet the revenue from this amount ol
work would about pay all the expenses OF
the asylum.
Our plan is to divide the day into three
parts Of four hours each: First, for study
second, for work; and third, for recreation
This system I have seen carried out else.
where, and with great. success. At hrs1
sight there was some objection to the manu-.
facture of cigars, as 1t was feared the boys
MIGHT acquire fondness for the use OF to-
baeco: but we think we have taken mea-
sures to prevent this. There is really nc
need that a man or boy either who is en-.
gagged in the manufacture OF arsenic should
take q dose to see how 1t acts.
The principal reason that decided us to
manufacture cigars was the fact that Rich
mond being q great tobacco centre, we eX'
nected to find no difficulty in selling all the
cigars we might make. The work is also
light and we'll suited to boys. The super
lntendent OF the factory is we'll acquainted
with the business, and works himself at the
bench while instructing the boys. The boys
are highly pleased with the work.
A few months ago gentleman brought
70 nv Office tine-looking young man, with
face indicating character, and introduced
him to me as s:Robert." This young man
bad been bound to him six years ago by our
Society. The gentleman said he was one OF
the best young men OF his acquaintance
that though Robert was not member OF the
| Church, he confessed he was better than
himself, though long member; and ne
wished to know whether it was necessary to
pass any legal papers between us. told
him no; that if Robert was now OF age, and
had done his duty, he might, II he thought
nroner. giye him S100 to begin life with. He
said he would do so cheerfully, and would
| like also to employ him to take cnarSe OF
| his farm next year. ,a....
| mention this case for the benefit OF those
bows who have lately been put out, and Tor
others who may soon be apprenticed.. Not
all the boys, 1 am sorry to say, are as hon.
orable as Robert. SO soon as they learn
enough to make their labor worth fifty or
seventy-fve cents day they take the
cars and are heard OF no more. This idea
thev often get, am sorry to say, from Older
heads. The want of good faith in the boys
makes it much more difficult to get them
good trades. This was not the ease twenty
five years ago. An apprenticeship then
.....tt;no Ono nf o1r most worthy