The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-10
CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS.
Scope Of the National cenference-An OBJ
servation Of President Cleveland
Correspondence Of tho Indian apo,i. Journal

Correspondence OF the Indian apolis Journal
WASHINGTON, June 9-There are but few per-
sons, comparatively, who fully understand the
scope and purpose of the National Conference of
Charities and Corrections, now convened in this
city. The fact is, it is composed of large
number of the most wealthy and benevolent
phtlanthropsts and political economists in our
country, and they are frequently honorary mem
bers Of the various boards of trustees Of the
charitable institutions of the various States,
Governors Of States. presidents of the charity
boards. trustees and superintendent, visitors
and managers of hospitals for insane and reform
schools, waFdens Of penitentaries etc. These al
como together each year AMI compare notes tell
what each State is doing and how they do it
This awakens an interest and friendly emulation
hitherto unknown, through this union. There
is enc peculiar thing about this association, and
that 10 it has no paid officers, no constitution, no
bylaws. no special rules or regulations-excert
cranks are ruled out of action at all times, and
neither papers speeches can exceed ten min
utes There are about 400 persons in this con-
ference which is held in the large hall of Will
lard's Hotel. Perhaps one fourth in attendance
are women-all of them women who are practi-
cally engaged in reformatory Institutions or
education Of blind, deaf and dumb, ETC. None
of them are handsome, but all of them good
looking. The work is so arranged that one may
attend to all or part Of the conference as one
may choose.
In the evening the first session Of the confer
ence was called. The hall in which the confer
enee holds its sessions is beautifully decorated
with shields bearing the seal Of each State.
Bunting and flags depend from all parts of the
house. On the stage many Of the most
celebrated men of the day-celebrated for the
good work they have done and yet doing
These are Phillip Garrit, General Curtin, and
Ex-Governor Hoyt, of Pennsylvania Gilmore, Of
Wisconsin; Frank Sanborn, secretary of the
Board Of Charities of Massachusetts. He is
typical Yankee, with a face like Emerson's, but
o general appearance of the Uncle Jonathan of
earicature. There is James B. Edmunds, Com
missioner of the District. who looks like dead
man. and Hon. Arthur Macarthur, of the District
Supreme Court, who is old and lively. and many
others who are we'll known, but whose names
can aever remember without reference to note
book. The second days meeting was taken up
by reports from the States, Rev. Oscar McCul-
1och making the one from Indiana, and it was a
good one. The afternoon of Friday the confer
erce called by invitation upon the President of
the United States. was amused at the scene
as l stood one side to see tho show.
j. B. Edmunds introduced each member and a
shake of the hand. nod and repeating the name
of the introduced Individual was sort of me-
chancal affair." but occasionally land particularly
the ladiesl some one had formulated something
remarkable to whisper in Cleveland's ear and
were bound to say it, much to the disgust of
those who were waiting Cleveland would look
much as the French Emperor did in 1867, if he
wore his mustache and an imperial on the chin
in the same way. ] must say our President
rather more favorably impressed me than do his
photographs. During this ceremony he looked
happy: had his head turned little downward.
having a chronic smile about the mouth. In his
handling the party he turned his quizzical eye
directly in the face of the introduced, with the
saJne expression you see robin eyng hole
when he expects worm to bob up. Thought
he might be looking for an honest man, but in
each he scrutinized he saw claw, a cloven hoof,
or tail--that's the way ii looked.
Mr.. Cleveland is quite bald except around the
margin over the ears to the back CT his head
which is well protected He has one lock in the
center, over his forehead, which he dexterously
twists into a cover for the rest of his crown.
Our Professor Charlton, Of the Indiana In
dustrial School for Boys, read an interesting
paper Saturday night upon Labor and Educa-
ton of Boys which was loudly cheered and in
fact was the best paper Of the session.
The conference will continue until Wednesday
next W. B. f.