The Evening critic., 1885-02-26
The proteetion OF Children.

The Washington Humane Society, for
meily the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty TO Animals, has organized under
the new law extending its powers to the
protection Of children, and, through Judge
Macarthur as president and committee
composed of Messrs. r. Ross Perry, Reginald
Fendall and George L. Douglass, has issued
the following appeal;
10 ne PtbHc.
After prolonged and patient effort the pas
cage Of an act OF Congress has been secured,
having for lis benencent object the protection
Ct helpless and abused children In the Dlstrict
OF Columbia. Until the present time there has
been no statute law In the District bearing In
the remotest degree upon this subject. Mum.
berless caeee or cruelty have been known u
exist, but the absence OF any statute relating
TO them has rendered all individual efforts,
ei her 10 prevent the offences or TO punish the
Offenders, almost IL not altogether unavaillng.
Industrial schools, hospitals and orphan
ages have done much to relieve distress
among children caused by disease, destitution
and loes OF parental care. But for the most
aggravated sufreripgs there has been practi-
caliy no remedy; and beatings, exposure,
abandonment and starvation OF helpless lttls
once, at the hands OF brutal parents or Gus
todians, have been regarded aud treated with
rare exceptions) as quite beyond the reach OF
either organized or Individual effort
Yet,while the eufferings of children from cru.
city, II not forgotten, have thus been wellnigh
ignored, the Society for the Prevention OF CRU
city 10 Animals by virtue OF an excellent stat
ute and by constant vigilance, has been Gu
abled In great degree to suppress the prac-
tice OF cruelty to dumb brutes. But, TO tue
truly humane and generous, all suffering Is
an object OF pity; and accordingly this society
has for some years past addressed itself to
the labor OF securing such additional legisla-
lion as would permit the extension OF It's work
into broader fields. Its efforts were finally
crowned with success when, on tho 18th Of the
pres ent month, the President approved the
act for the protection Of children In the Dis
trict OF Columbia and for other purposes.
The former Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty 10 Animals no longer exists, and the
Washington Humane Society for the frat tlme
addresses tho public IL comes with no mar
row theory TO support and With no selfish OBJ
iect or sectarian aims. It's sole endeayor Is to
avert or to lessen the sufferingB OF those who,
at the hands OF mercilees and vicious torment
ore, are powerless 10 help themselves; and,
within the limits Of It's Jurisdiction, TO extend
the strong arm OF the law around every help.
less victim OF brutality and abuse, whether
That victim be dumb creature or human
being.
As a charity organization It Is direct and
practical in all Its operations, and reaches the
objects OF It's beneYOlence without ceremony
or circumlocutlon. While It lab0rs persist.
emily and by rorcible methods, when neces-
safy, for the prevention OF individual cases OF
cruelty, and the punishment OF individual
Offenders, It also seeks, by gentler means, 70
hasten the growth OF humane sentiment,
which, IN time 20 come, may render penal
statutes upon the subject no longer u ne
ceasiiy.
with this aim ana purpose It now looks to
tho kind.hearted and generous among the
citizens OF Washington for sympathy and sun.
port. As Its labor is one Of love ana mercy IL
appeals especially 10 the ladies' OF Washing.
ton, and n cordial invitation IL extended 10
them 10 Join In the work.
The society deeires 10 reOrganiZs for greater
nctiyity, 10 elect lew ofiicers, and especially
10 open Its doors 10 those who may now sym.
pathize with II more fully In the broader field
upon which II IL entering, Every such person Is
therefore Invited 70 attend a meeting 10 be held
&c The y, 81. q. A, building, No, ldOO n. Y.
at z: $50 O'Clock; or, II not able 10 be personally
preaent, then TO communicate by letter with
the president.