The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1886-09-02
THE CHARITY CONFERENCE.
WHAT NORTH CAROLINIASS CAN
LEARN FROM 1T.
Mr.. j. IL. Mills Gives Some of His Com
cluSiOns on Pcnitcntiarie>. RefoTmato-
ries. Orphan House,, Asylums. &c.
Special Cor. STATE CHRONICLE


The Conference Of Charities and Cor
rection met in 81. Paul, MINI. The Jour
ney was long and tiresome We had TO
choose between the heat and the coal dust.
In several States there had been no rain in
long time, and crops were suffering.
Wheat was good, oats, rye and barley We're
cut off at least third. The farmers in
the North plant early corn and it grows
with five stalks in hill, and only about
half as high as ours. The Mississippi turn
ing SO many mills) was low, very low, and
most Of the mills were improving the
time by making repairs
ST. Paul is an immense city and claims
a population of 100, 900. But here every
body exaggerates. For example, a church
which cost $117,00 IS published as cost
ing S13O, 900. The Conference was largely
attended. 1t met in the capitol. The Gov
ernor labored through a welcome. The
city officers spoke with more freedom.
The response of Gen. r. b. Hayes lex Pres
ident was good. He seems to be Il plain
good man. Mrs. Hayes takes a deep in
terest in the North Carolina schools to
whose support she contributes and expects
to visit them in November She IS a pi-
Gus, sensible and industrious woman.
say this without endorsing all her opin-
ions. Gen. Hayes expects to attend the
Prison Congress III Atlanta. He seems
anxious to be useful in the evening OF his
life. Col. Neff presided. He is hand
some man and presdes well.
Gen. Brinkeroff, Mr.. Round, DR.. ByerS,
and other famous prison experts were
prominent in all matters relating to jails.
United States prisoners are sent to a cheap
jail in New York. Mr.. Rounds says it is
the meanest prison in America. 1t takes
our prisoners cheap, because it feeds light,
works hard and affords few comforts.
Our members of Congress $50 Mr. Round
thinks) should build good jail for United
States prisoners, and stop boarding them
in cheap john prisons. Mr.. Brockway
famous over the world as manager of the
Model Reformatory at Elmira, sent an
essay, but could not come. He is a genial
gentleman. Mr.. Round is full of solid
sense Dr. Byers is ardent in his feelings,
but always ready for joke.
Mr.. Z. Caldwell, of the Louisville House
of Refuge, is a number one manager OF
bad boys and girls. His advice is of great
value to others. Mrs. Cobb of the Wis
cOnsin Indus rial School, knows what to
do with depraved girls. Many are reformed
in her hands. DR. Buckner, of Texas,
general manager of the Texas Baptist Or
phans House, IS a patient, wide-awake
worker. He has platform and stands to
H. DlSI1OpS 1Iolduu, w
and Knickerbocker, Rabbi Sonnenschein,
Rev. 0. G. McCullock and Father Clary,
were among the most eloquent members.
Mrs. Hendricks (widow of the Vice-Presi
dent,) Mrs. Spencer (Spencerian pens,)
Miss Dr.) McCowen, Mrs. Fairbanks, Mrs.
Barney (the great Jail reformer of Il. l.,
were among the prominent women. Miss
J. I. Long, known so we'll in Oxford.
Chapel Hill and Raleigh, was North Caro-
lina's best Representatives. Gov. Pillsbury,
Gov. IIoadly, Gov. Bane, and Gen. Berry,
Judge Follct, and Hon. w. p. LitchWorth
We're active members. Miss Emily Hunt
ington, of New York, famous for her text
book on cooking and for her sweet face
and pleasant address, delighted everybody.
The Conference does not formulate any
rules. 1t does not register any decisions.
Its members read essays, express opinions,
ask questions and make suggestions. Those
who wish to learn must listen patiently,
sift carefully and confer privately with
those whose experience easily eXplOdes
absurd theories. If you want information
concerning the ''placing OUT of children,
consult Mrs Gov Beveridge or Mr. P
Caldwell-not Judge Ferris, nor Mr..
Brace. Mayor Charlton or Mr.. Brockway
can tell how to reform bad boys. Mr..
Ingersoll thinks he knows something on
that subject. Mrs Cobb can tell you how
to manage bad girls. | was much benefit
ed by asking Mrs. Lewellen what to do
with girls too large to be whipped and too
mean to behave. She recommended the
chamber of reflection. l would not build
a jail without consulting Gen. Brinkerof,
nor large prison without the advice of
Mr.. Round. The ignorance of our law
makers costs us more than our schools do.
Our government could be run with more
benefit to our people with one-tenth of
the money expended. We need legislators
thoroughly informed, and not afraid to do
right. Did anyone ever imagine thing
more contemplate than a log rolling law
maker. How is 1t that all our North Caro-
lima Almanacs, for 1886, are printed and
sold with the signs of the Zodiac on the
wrong days2 Just because we need infor
nation and instruction.
We must have experts, or waste our
money and become the laughing stocks Of
those who are better informed. We may
boast and brag and fatter and console
ourselves; but the facts will leak out and
the world will weigh us. But let us learn
a little from the St. Paul Conference. Col
Netf said:
The first and most important lesson to
be learned in the administration of public
charity is that not one dollar of profit is
to accrue in any shape or form to the
trustees and officers in charge < +
Where hundreds of thousands and mil
lions of dollars are to be expended,
the people have a right to expect that the
best and most economical systems shall be
introduced. and he time is not far distant
when an enlightened public sentiment
will demand the organization of boards of
state charities in all of the states in which
they do not now exist" "
Gen. Hayes said:
"A large part of the great evils that
af1iict society and imperil its best interests
vanish or are greatly diminished the very
moment that they are thoroughly investi-
gated, thoroughly understood and their
essential nature exposed. With the pub
lie judgment enlightened and aroused the
true remedy is soon and easily found.
Poor Houses.
These should be built with reference to
health, comfort and convenience. Paupers
should never be let out to the lowest bid
der: because light feeders and hard drivers
can under-bid all who would feed well
Some of our counties feed their paupers at
cents day, less than one fourth of
what they pay for feeding rogues aud
robbers in jail Dr.. Byers said:
Active employment should be given to
every inmate not absolutely disabled by
some mental or physical disability. The
F., dismissal of inmates must be done with
great discretion. 1t should not be made
! when public health or morality will be in
! I,n nIr iStr NJ