St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-20
children designated under the general term
o. i11vAnila dalinn11ants

children designated under the general term
of Juvenile delinquents.
Each of these classes was dealt with separ-
ately and at considerable length. For the
foundlings proper a private system OF caring
for unfortunate mothers was said to be fire.
quently the means of saving both mother
and child. The speaker thought that still
more stringent laws should be enacted to les
sen illegitimacy especially directed against
unlawful paternity, which he did not
hest tate to call q crime. He said
next to the awful responsibility Of taking
life is that of bringing it into existence; and
the responsibility is indeed Of SO grave a
character that public opinion should require
that it is not evaded by either parent, and
weghty penalties should be inflicted when it
is ignored. There is a humiliating sense of
weakness in q society that holds in honor and
equality one who does not recognize his own
offspring and leaves to others the burden of
its education, training and support.
In respect to homeless and destitute chill
dreu difference of opinion exists as to
whether they should be placed in families
by adoption, indenture or verbal agreement
at once upon becoming dependent, or whether
they should be permanently placed in aSy-
lums. From the statistics we have respect
ing the blind and deaf mutes it is safe to in
fer, as already intimated, that further pro-
vision should be made for their instruction,
Notwithstanding the increase in the number
of educational and training schools established
for them duling recent years. So far as we have
made provision, however, l am led to con-
cude, after careful examination, that, in
buildings, management and general arrange
ment for the care and instruction of this class,
our institutions not only compare favorably
with those of Europe, but reflect credit upon
our country. As to the idiotic there are in
situations for their training in Massachusetts,
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut,
Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana.
Kansas, California and Nebraska.
While the work of instructing the teachable
of this class requires great patience and per-
severance. the results are, nevertheless, very
satisfactory. The instances are rare in which
they are not thus improved. In considering
juvenile delinquency the speaker pointed out
as some of the existing defects in the system
now in vogue, a lack Of discrimination in
sending young persons to reformatories, the
training of boys and girls at the same insti-
tuition, the great size Of some Of the reform
schools, and misconcepton in the public
mind as to the Importance and true purpose
of the reform school. The question of expense
was too largely considered.
THE DISCUSSION.
Miss Schley of this city, connected with
the management of the Young Girls Home,
st. Peter street, opened the discussion and
rejoiced in the opportunity to speak in be-
half of the working girls who had not been
mentioned in the presentation of the sub
ject thus far. She detailed the workings
of the institution with which she is con-
nected.. Rev. r. c. Buclcner of Texas
here requested the privilege of presenting a
paper on another subject, and was about
succeeding when he was choked off by Levi
l.. Barbour of Michigan, who desired to
continue discussion of the subject under
consideration. MIR. Barbour explained
some of Michigan's methods with children,
maintaining the Importance of every link in
the chain of institutions from the young
child to the grown man and woman.
The business committee, through A. E.
Elmore of Wisconsin, submitted its report.
On the resolutions offered last week by
Gen. Bane of Washington Territory, re-
garding the present conflict between labor
and capital, the depravity growing out of
the abuse of alcoholic liquors, and asking
the presentation of the views of the con-
ference to the legislative bodies of the
country, the committee says:
1t is a mistake that this national conference
has ''well matured views upon those and
kindred vital questions" We copy part of
the report Of the business committee, sub
mitted to and adopted by the Twelfth confer
ence, which we believe to be the settled pol
icy governing our organization, which is as
follows:
1t has not been the practice Of this national
conference to formulate ideas into platforms,
but it has taken such broad ground that all,
of whatever sect, creed or party, could truly
unite in an interchange Of thought and ex-
preston of opinion. Our aim has been, and
is, to unite the social, moral religious and
political elements of society in one organiZa-
ton. to promote the uplifting Of humanity.
We grant the widest range of individual
opinion, and invite the widest discussion of
the various questions that come before our
meetings. To promote and secure harmony
in our widely extended organization, we set
no meteS or bounds to the fullest discussion
of ony subjects. Your committee ask to be
discharged from further consideration of the
preamble and resolution. .-e .4
The committee recited the hearty CO.
operation in st. Louis of Bishop Robertson
and Rabbi Observation-Disclosures and He
brew-in the work of charity; that Bishop
Robertson was no more and Rabbi SOnneS-
chem was present, and recommended that
the latter address the conference upon the
life of Bishop Robertson, to be printed in
the proceedings.
Rev. G. E. Gordon Of Milwaukee, of the
National Humane society, announced that
hereafter the agent of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was also
the agent for preventing cruelty to children.
He desired to extend to the conference the
earnest support of that organization of the
conference work and to its necessary finan-
cial wants. The discussion was continued
by Miss Clara d. Colby of Nebraska, who
emphasized the perniciouS effects OH chill
dren of certain kinds of literature
Rev. William l.. Bull of Pennsylvania,
representing Children's Aid society, spoke
for his allotted five minutes very earnestly
on the methods of treating the children OF
the state. at the close of which the confer
ence adjourned.