The National tribune., 1883-10-18
THE MERCER SCHOOL.
An Investigation Into It's Conduct DiscIoses Moth
ing HrORg.

An Investigation Into It's Conduct Discloses Moth
ing Wrong.
At the recent Encampment of the Mercer
County Pa Veteran Association, the question
recently raised by THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE as
TO the management of the Soldiers Orphans
School at Mercer and its recommendation that
an investigation should be made thereof was
taken up, and committee selected from 500
ex-soldlers present was ordered to proceed at
once to the school and make thorough inquiry
into It's condition. Carrying out their instruc-
tions the committee duly visited the school and
now make the following report, which viii be
received with general satisfaction:
First-We found the institution fayorabIy located.
1t occupies the site of a water-c;re establishment of
years ago whose buildings were purchased for the
purposes of the school. TO them others have been
added as has been found necessary. 1t is upon a
level extensively occupied by private dwellings,.
1t has good drainage and is abundantly supplied by
a line spring OF soft water.
Second-The building affords ample and com
Portable accommodations TO all the children vino
attend The dormitories are large and well ven
tated. They provided with stoves for heating
and drying purposes. They are mopped out every
morning except Saturday, when they are scrubbed.
They are comfortably supplied with beds and good
clean bedding. We saw them on Saturday, after
weeks use, and found all in exceedingly good or
der. The dormitories provided with sufficient
hfe escapes ana the sexes are IN dliisfent buildings
Third--The personal cleanliness of the children
seems 10 be looked to- Provision IS made for their
bathing. both summer and winter Once a week
they receive changes of underciothing, and due
QUESTION of cleanliness is made upon them.
fonrth-The sanitary record OF the school is
exceedingly good In the last six years only three
eases OF death have occurred, although the attend
.ance has run about three hundred and the children
have been subjected to the ordinary of disease
one OF these cases was by poisoning through eating
q Wild parsn1p. Another was an eplleptic
the time of arrival at the place. The third was 4
case of scarlet fever, which was treated by the
child own guardian, physician. it Will be diff
cult 10 show better record
Fifth-Some of the children, whom we picked up
here and there on the grounds, expressed them
selves well satisfied with the food provided Their
appearance shows they literally and health
fully provided for. 1t would be difficult to find
healthier-looking lot of boys and girls We saw
them at their dinner. 1t was good, very good, and
they were well behaved From what we saw and
heard we have no hesitation III saying that the
comfnisSary department Is al that could be
ably expected. 1t iSaS good that of most SOL
dierS' children at home, and better than afforded
III isaGy cases. They are given fresh meat in good
supply; vegetables IN season; canned fruits; tea
and coffee as often as any children should have
them; butter at almost every meal, srup at other
times rice faisinS, pies, and other dainties very
frequently. Indeed, our impression is that anyone
should be satisfied with what is set on the table
And SO we have found old soldiers to be who have
visited the place The cooking seems exeelleatly
done.
Sixth-The clothing is all that can be desired
The boys are clad in dark blue jackets and light
blue pants and ordinary good caps and shoes dur
ing the week The Sunday-suit y is of dark blue
material throughout. All are of excellent quality
new suits have not yet arrived this fall The girls
have on the average five outside suits at the pres
ent time. These are made at the place, the girls
doing fair share of the work. Their entire outfit
makes them as preSentable as most young misses
and children and more than very many who
depend ON their paTents Parents and friends are
not expected to furnish anything III the way of
clothing, nor, indeed in any other way All the
children have good undereothing for the winter
The girls will wear flannel dresses, and are also
provided with warm wrap for outdoors.
Seyenth-Opportnity is afforded to learn how to
work. The boys, by detail attend to the fatigue
duty us far as consistent with their school duties
The mopping and scrubbing and bed-Inaking of
their own departments are done by both boys and
girls. All sent by turns into wash -honse bake
house, ironing-roon, sewing-rooln, cook-house,
according may suit age and sex. We saw them
at most of these things. They are, most of thenl
their age.
Eightf-The moral and biblical. training is as
good as any like institution, whether under State
or private control affords The corps OF instructors
are excellent Christian ladies and gentlemen.
Chapel services are held every day. On the Sab
bath there is Sabbath school Pains are taken even
to have neghborng ministers and Christian work.
ers come III and talk to the children They are at
liberty to attend any of the churches in the town
IL would seem difficult TO take exception to the
opportunities thus afforded
Ninth-We made inquiry as to the competence
of the instructors for their work. We were assured
they are in every way qualified, and that they gave
as good education as in any school of like grade
We have no doubt that the pupils here as well
and correctly advanced in their studies other
children OF their ege and that they will make as
good marks as those in the ordinary graded
schools. We esteem the tuition given as beyond
honest criticism
In conclusion of this report we commend the
school TO the confidence of all concerned Ii is
worthy of patronage. Its management in every
way seems excellent. The purpose of those in
charge manifestly is to honestly carry out the pur
pose OF the State in making provision for the edu-
cation and training of the soldiers orphan. We
would likewise say that the representations of Col
Bumpus respecting the school in THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE of last summer were, understand
them, correct
This report is respectfully submitted.
tSigned j. A. GRIER,
Co. G, SD Ill. VetVol Inf Pastor I'd q. p Church.
Mercer, Pa.
NJ r. ZAHNIsER,
Co. B, 10th p. v, Sharpsville, Pa
w. j. NEWMAN
Co. II, 18th p. ", Grove City Pa
j. w. FRUIT,
Capt, Co. G, 10th Pa. Reserves, New Hamburg, Pa
j. Il. CALDWELL, NJ. D.,
Co. 10th Pa. Reserves, New Hamburg, Pa.
Il. G. STRAUSS,
Capt, Go. k 57th p. ", Meadville, Pa.
CAMP WARNER, MERCER, Pa, Oct. 6, 1883.