Morning journal and courier., 1883-03-15
The states Neglected Wards.

FfeId-RepOrt of a CemmissfOn-Tem- pOrary Homes Recommended.
 The last Legislature appointed commis- sion to inquire into the number and condi- tion of dependent, neglected or abused chil- dren who should be cared for otherwise than at present. The commission was composed of Charles Fabrfque, William H. Hotchkiss, M. D., and Mrs. Bacon, of New Haven, and Henry E. Burton and Mrs. Virginia T. Smith, of Hartford. It was evident that the inquiry would involve much labor and that it's value would depend on the thoroughness with which it was made and those con- cerned soon found that the time would net be any too long for the work to Ee done. Owing to many difficulties in the way, com plete returns could not be reached, but the committee, among other results, found that there are in the almshouses of the State 321 dependent children, Gin New Haven county 79, in Hartford ID; total in families in the State, 6,347, (tn New Haven county 1,702, Hartford county 1,636); in institutions L. 7s7, of whom 757 are in New Haven county, including those in the Reform school. The committees labors were in behalf of three classes, viz.:
 Dependent-Children entirely supported or to some extent assisted by public or pri- vate charity.
 Neglected Such as were found growing up without proper care and government in respect to schooling and industrial employ ment. and were roaming at large contracting idle and disorderly habits.
 Abused-Such as were helplessly subjected to violent and cruel treatment from parents or others, or were left in position of such extreme Restitution in respect to suitable food, clothing and other necessaries of life as to obstruct the development of a sound mental, moral and physical character.
 The returns to inquiries about the number of neglected children seems very imperfect, but it is estimated that they amount to 1000, and attention is called to the fact that chiefly from this class between 200 and 300 children are annually sent to the Reform and Indus trial schools.
 The number of abused children, according to the definition above given, is not stated. It is said that the whole number in the three classes cannot fall below 8,809 and is pro b. ably considerably larger.
 THE CONDITION OF THOSE INVESTIGATED.
 The exact number of children who may fall within the limits of this inquiry is a minor matter. Their condition as demon stating the necessity of some State action was the main thing to be considered, and 8 detailed statement under this head would be the important feature of the report. It is at this point that the lack of time above men toned has prevented such an analysis of the material at hand as would be desirable. Some points worth attention are brought out, how ever. The condition of children in almshouses is thus mentioned "In referring to the few exceptional cases where the condition of chill dren connected with almshouses is some
 
 derstood that their better treatment is due entirely to the personal character of the over- seer in charge, and not to any merit in the poorhouse system as commonly conducted. While a small percentage of the children un- der almshouse supervision have the advan- tage of the ameliorated treatment referred to, the greater number are sheltered in institu- tions conducted on strictly economic business principles, with little or no discrimination of treatment on account of their age" The great evil of promiscuous association of chil- dren in these places with men and women broken down by vice. sickness or old age is prominently exposed.
 The large number of children in families helped by the town are said to be much bet ter of than those in the almshouses, but by the improvident use of what is left for their support they are often reduced to severe suf- fering and have the same exposure as in the almshouse to the corrupt atmosphere and vicious example of older inmates, and in addition subject to brutal treatment. seThis outside help given to unworthy families may serve as an intermittent relief to physical want, but it does nothing in the way of ele- vating the children above the ordinary range of pauper living"
 AS to the Reform school, attention is called to the lack of provision for putting the boys who go out under efficient guardianship where they will be required to learn trade or continue in fixed employment until 21. The commission says: "Of those who have left the past year, thirteen have been placed with farmers, two at trades, while nearly 15O have gone back, presumably, to the places and temptations from which they came, and although no complete record has been ke pt of their location and condition, some are known to be in the almshouse and others without homes or employment to be drifting about, dangerous burden to the community and fast lapsing into their former idle hab- it's" An immediate change in this matter is recommended.
 THE COMMISSIONS FINAL RECOMMENDATION.
 The final recommendation of the commit tee is that county temporary houses be es- tablished, one or more in each county, and used as place of immediate shelter for all dependent children till they can be trans ferred to good families or otherwise properly cared for. The proposed buildings, it is ad- vised, should be located by the county com. missioners and two members of the State Board of Charities, and should consist of a house and land, costing from $3, GOO to $6, GOO. They are to be governed by an unpaid board of managers, consisting of two members from each town, one member from each town being woman.