New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-09
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY.
RECKLESS ACCUSATIONS REFUTED.

LETTER FROM THE S0CIETY'S WESTERN AGENT
SHOWING THE FALsITY OF CHARGES MADE
AGAINST THE BOYS SENT WEST.
To the Edftor OF The Tribune.
SIR: 1t affords me great pleasure to report
the result OF my very thorough and careful investiea
ton Of the serious charges made by the Hon. Andrew
Elmore, the Hon. HH Giles, and Others at the National
Conference Of Charities held at Madison Wis., In August
1882 Mr.. Elmore did not mention the name Of the
New York Chidren's Aid Society, but he entered
into the discussion while the of society be-
ing criticised 1t is but fair to presume he referred to u.s.
He said:
have seen street Arabs from New-Yerk and have
score Of them in the Industrial School at
waukesha. have never one that made good boy
but when they have placed these children the West,
do they look after them moment Not any. They &C..
sent here and being neglected they commit crimes: and
jim MoIes or something like that II is only after being
placed In thu Industrial school for Boys and after we
are able to get their confidence con snas me, dns5
These thieves liars yagabonds, as we call them, they
bring them West and turn them loose without any after
veins in the first place. was almost gons to say that
would be better for them and for us They come n9re
and make tramps, and burglars, and all KINDS OF cri
nails That's my story.
AS my Investigation has 80 far only extended to the
Industrial School, what might be better termed the
Wisconsin Reform scnoo, at waukesha have thought
1t best to make no mention the narges made by other
ately 1t seems hardly necessary that should reply to
the question asked and answered by Mr. Elmore: DO
they look after these children momentf Not any, 1t
is well known to the trustees and to all who read
report tina for fifteen years, with the exception Of the
past years. my entire time has been devoted to the
important work of visiting these children in their wcst
ern homes have advised protected and procured new
homes for thousands during that time. For the past
years. moe months Of each year have been spent by
in the work Three months OF each OF the two
years mentioned have spent at Bath, L. l.. supcrn
tending the Chidren's Summer Home. Surely this
will satisfy Mr.. Gilmore that children
not wholly neglected. He said az have seen score
OF these children the Industrial School at waukesha
Wis., and the Hon. II. IT, Giles, Of Madison mentioned
having six there who from party Of fifty,
sent by the Chdrens Aid Society to town in Dane
County, WIS., He said OF the six that later investlga-
ton proved them all 10 be dishonest Then he added;
Ths society is particular to learn the character OF
the families in which the children are placed They get
family to take boy. and OF and leave him. and no
further is taken OF him" "A is barely possible
that some OF our friends may not know how we have
prepared for the reception Of all the companies sent out
IL may be well for to mention briefly the manner in
which the work is done:
First seek to find town located IN good farming
community Then personally visit four or six OF the
leading citizens state that going to send q COM
psDy Of children there to procure homes, and obtain
their to act committee whose duty is to re-
ceiye the Of applicants aud before the arrival of
the agents with the children hold meeting at which
they compare their lists OF and pass upon the
characters OF the applicants. list is then maze Of
those whom they approve and handed to the agent
Even this is graded that the agent perfectly fami
lar with the character OF each applicant In this way the
committees made to feel personal interest In the
wcliare Of the children, and notify at Of any
case needing attention.
Now let me give an account OF the in which
Mr. schlcgcI and Investigated the charges relating to
the Reform school at Waukesha, and the result Of
investigation We found that since the opening of the
school 2,022 boys have passed through the nstitu-
ton. All these boys were committed by sore magis
trate for vagrancy, iHcorngbilty, larceny or some
grayer offence. The commitments filled six records,
one page being devoted TO each boy who had entered
the institution enclose copy OF one Of the pages to
show what careful history OF each boy Is kept and
how almost possblelt would be for Of boys to
drift into the institution without the fact becoming
known TO superintendent and finding place upon
the record We did not seek for them by name, SO 1t
attered very little whether they entered as "John
Smith" or " Jim Mokes" We examined each OF the
2022 pages carefully to II they aimed any one
fact to prove the boy to been sent West by the
Chdrens Aid Society. First noted facts under head
ing: "Pace OF Birth" In many cases we found boys
whose birthplace was New-York, but under the next
heading History OF Family" We would perhaps find
that the family lived in Wisconsin, or II there was
residence given, then we examined under
next heading, Previous History Of Delinquent"
where we were almost certain gather facts Of
co inclusive evidence In the last item under
=. Remarks and Future History A" settled the matter
beyond doubt for by come such item as this sent
home 10 his parents az Milwaukee, March ., 1882" We
did our work thoroughly and the books are kept In such
way that could not possibly fail 10 arrive at facts,
had there any, bearing the work of society
AZ fha auftp Nar
that point in the slightest way TO the NewYork Chill
drens Aid Society," and there is doubt in my mind as
to these boys having been sent by will give the
tents of each page full far they related TO u.s.
that all may judge for Themselves:
GEORGE TEELY age eleven, April s, 1862 At the age
of Ave was broases e Wisconsin ~ Mr. Van Meter
With D. j. Bunyd, Beloit, Wis., Committed April 2,
1897 Csufe, lntorIisSility: Remarks George having
grade of honor, and having acquired
more maturity OF mind aud strength Of prin-
leave the school, and return TO the family October o.
1868 May - returned again having become refractory
and unsteady November - sent to home ON ticket OF
leave.
My impression is that this boy belonged to the
Howard Mission" The next case is:
GEORGE J. WILLIAMS. age ten, January, 1869 Cause
who was bringing lot Of boys, and placed home In
OcouomowOc, WIS., Had been committed to the House
of Refuge, Randals Island for one year previous to
coming West
This completed examination OF the books. and
cannot help INDUCING In the remark that they form
very slight foundation indeed for the unkind unwise
and very damaging statements made at the conference
by two OF the leading phanthropsts OF the West. l
visited the schools of the institution that in session
and asked II there any boys present who were sent
West Ivy the ChIldrens Aid Society. found none
The institution divided into six families. At my re-
quest the head Of each family put the question to bis
boys IN the evening after they assembled in their
rooms They did not find single boy. Mr.. Sleeps, the
superintendent gave oil the aid he possibly could
and his assistant more than kind Both gentlemen
assured me that there had 80 far az their know
In. .tonhah henn OF hnrs In the institution.