Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-11-08
THE SECRETARY REPORT.

BrattleAoy0; Windsor, HIS II. A. johnson. Wood
stock.
TnE sECRETARY's REPORT.
TITO following is the report Of tho secre-
tary OF the Home Tor Destitute Children for
the year ending October, 1873:
Ia presenting report OF tho Home, this
year, two important changes demand special
attention. In the report for 1877, the ne
eessIty OF an industrial department was
strongly urged and ar appeal made for
funds to establish some suitable trade or
other industry. This appeal did not meet
with the hearty response which was antici-
patcd, but the managers felt So thoroughly
convinced of the necessity of such pursuit in
connection with the Institution, that, in
March 1873, teacher was engaged and tho
boys employed three hours per day in seat
ing chairs. Some may say that this en-
plOyment does not fit for future self support
a. well at a trade like the ShoG-makers or
carpenters. We grant II, and as soon as
means are furnished shall be glad to pro-
vide such trade Tor those who are old enough
to profit by instruction in it. This wear,
however, cane work seemed the only prac-
ticable solution of the problem, how to So
cure the benefits o! a trade without a large
expeuse which the Homo was not in condi-
ton to incur. 10 establish this cost the
Home nothing save the wages OF an in
structOr, but 10 establish any other industry
would have involved considerable outlay for
tools, stock, etc in addition to the wages
Of an oyersser. The ages Of the boys (only
ten being ever ten years old) necessitsted
some ligh. employment The department
has not yet paid expenses, though it doubt
less Will eventually, but We believe it has
been worth to the children lar more than it
has cost. Already its Influence in the
better discipline. the habits of systematic
employment and skill IN the use Of tools is
apparent. II boy becomes expert in the
use of a few tools in one branch of me-
chancal industry, he eau quite readily
turn to another, and the habits of industry |
and application which can BE- acquired as |
well perhaps in this employment as in any |
other will be invaluable to him in later life. |
Another change which the growth Of the |
institution has nectssitated is the regular |
employment OF man at the Home. The |
advisability OF cuitlyating more thoroughly |
the land belonging to the institution, and |
at the same time having our boys taught to |
handle the hoe and spade. were two impor- |
tant reasons for securing the whole instead |
of four hours Of 4 mans time. This |
change, in its turn, has cOnduced to the |
better training OF our bjys-s0me Of them |
being new able To - quite credtable out
door work.
While the expenses have increased the
receipts have diminished. The interest
on the Permanent Fund has been less this
year than ever before, and contributions
have not made up the deficiency Had it
not been for the generosity Of friends at the
annual donation we must haze closed the
year In debt Tor current cxpenses-a thing
which has never occurred IN the history of
the Home.
During the year, thirty-two children have
been received. OF this Lumber, four were
returned TO the Home, one came from Brook
field, four from Burlington, four from Dam
vile. one from Essex, two from Eden. one
from Granville, enc from Georgia. one from
Hartford. one from Middlebury, six from
ST Aihans, two from Salisbury, one from
Stowe. one from Swanton, one from West
haven and ore from Worcester
Seventeen children have been provided
with good homes, twenty taken by parents
Or other relatives, and then dismissed Ore
hundred and twenty-seven children have
been at some time during the year, inmates
1f the Home. The present number is eighty
i've.
Dlphtheria - the seolrge which has
Visited and Gesolated 50 many house
lOlds-ior lew weeks ragged at the
Home, and two of our little ones
we're taken to that Better Home, where is
inc Saviour who said, "Suife- little children !
10 come unto NE. of such is the
kingdom of Heaven Gratefully would we
acknowledge the goodness OF God in staying
he scourge and restoring to health those
who were sick unto death"
While the year just Closing has been q
rying ono in many respects, it has boon On
the whole. We believe, the most successful
though which the Home has passed 1t
las been especially successful in the work
lone, as We believe any one acq PAINTED
With the Institution one year ago to-day |
void unhe>itatingly say. The balance in the
reasury at the close of lS17 enabled US
arly IN the present year. to pay $500 on
'a7 debt and during the year We have had
'ubstantial proof that the Home has q I
'trong hold upon the sympathies of our
'eople.
While We rejoice in the measure of sue
ess achieved and look forward hopefully 9
nto the future. we mus. call attention to
he fact that We have been obliged TO diminish !
ur number. and 10 turn almost from our I
oors more than fifty children. Some of i
hcse eases were truly pitiable, and it MAIDS
ur hearts ache to refuse them One case was
hi: lhe father of 4 family of seven
hildren 1.-TWO OF them under FIVE yearS)
al been sick Tor two years with eOnsumr-
ion, and could live but short time. The L
lother, hard-worklng woman. could not Ii
lppOrt her seven children and wished to n
lace two of them IN the Home This was ,
respectable American family. Another =
,Se was that OF 4 baby born in States II
rison whose prospect tor useful future p
as not bright if it remained with its
mother. Another, that of boy
hose mother was dead, bis father had be-
l. L..
nder DcrcIes of an uncle not able to take ri
ire of himself These are but examples of m
10 destltutiOn which comes constantly to
IT notice, and which We would gladly re.
eve had We means 50 to do. We would
,aln ak the citizens Of our State to cJn-
der the question. Is it not easier. better, IN
ore economical quitting aside higher con- :,
ieratiOn>) to prevent crime than to re- 81
rm criminals? Dr. Wines. president OF es
c International Prison Association, who ii,
IS very thoroughly Investigated the sub 70
It, writes thuH Of the prevention of crime
England lie had been giving short LEI
etch OF some OF the institutions tor chill III
Ell and concludes thGs II have said that ca
c system OF certified Industrial and reform
Dry schools. with L vast number of
her similar establishments not certified.
W existing in every part OF the British ~
,
esslOn upon crime, both aS to its amount
d character but the diminution has
where else been SO marked and cOnspicu- spI
$ as IN Gloucester county. Thirty years gi,
o that county had seven prisons. with an Or
erlge annual population of six hundred
i fifty inmates, whereas at the present ei'
ment it has but one ; the other SIX have Ma
n pulled down or otherwise disposed of,
1 the average number of prisoners in the
gle remaining gail has been for several 'o'
'rI less than two hundred There il a GOV
ole world Of instruction in such Il fact (yr
Tact IL Is beyond all contradiction And M,
At IL the voice that speaks to Us IN 1t E?
tones distinct and unmistnkablc 1t says gre
States and communities: Dry up the ele,
ntaIns and the streams will cease their r,r
'. Save the young and the race vt old -
nInals will have few successors. ''i'
Respectfully submitted, rep
NATE W. MoRTox. Sec
pIrAULTrE's hpyrNrrErs George Ihy-
J. doilultins president of the First
nuuI I,,uL al NpIur,, Id mint \