Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-13
THE INDUSTRIAL HOME MATTER

The Board of Control for the proposed
Industrial Home will hold a meeting this
evening for the purpose Of considering
the proposition OF allowing a portion of
the fund appropriated by Congress to the
Society, of which Mrs. Newman is the
head, which designs the establishment
OF an institution of that kind within the
limits of this city. The following is the
section in the Appropriation bill author
izing the establishment Of the Home:
SECTION 221.-Industrial Home in Utah
Territory: To aid in the establishment of
an Industrial Home in the Territory of
Utah, to provide employment and means of
self-support for the dependent women who
renounce polygamy, and the children of such
women of tender age, in said Territory, with
| q view to aid in the suppression of polygamy
therein, forty thousand dollars; said sum to
be expended upon the requisition of and un-
der the management of Board of Control
| to consist of the Governor and Justices of
the Supreme Court and the District Attorney
of said Territory, and said Board shall duly
and properly eIpend said sum, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, for the pur-
poses herein indicated, and shall from time
| to time report to the President their acts and
|
transmission to Congress.
The DEMOCRAT understands that it was
originally intended to establish Home
for all needy and dependent women and
children, without any restriction in re-
gard to sect or previous condition in life.
That, in our opinion, would have been
the proper thing, and it is to be regretted
that Congress should have made such
discrimination as will render the insti-
tuition exclusively for the benefit OF
class, a very small portion, if any, of
which will be apt to avail itself OF the
provision OF the law, but which would not
have been excluded under general
clause. Congress evidently was impressed
with the idea that the Edmunds law
would work hardship to many women
and children in this Territory, who would
avail themselves of the benefits of such
an institution as is provided for in the
| bill. In this we believe it was mistaken
and that the experiment will prove fail
ure, unless the law is modified at the
next session OF Congress. We believe
that the society founded by Mrs. New
man desires that the fund should be
turned over to its managers for the
purpose OF building and conducting
Home such as is designated in the sec
ton above quoted. While there is no
doubt but the money would be judicously
and honestly expended under such man
| agement, it seems to us quite plain that
| it cannot be done under the law as it
reads. The members OF the Board OF
Control could scarcely delegate to another
| body duties and power which are ex-
pressly restricted to themselves. In a
brief conversation with Governor West
yesterday, that gentleman expressed to
the writer his conviction that the Board
could not so delegate its authority, but
intimated his desire to do all that the law
permitted for the furtherance OF the be-
nevolent object of Mrs. Newman and her
Society. From what the DEMOCRAT can
learn, the Board will probably make an
allowance for the renting and furnishing
OF building OF moderate dimensions, and
if there are any applications from eligible
persons for admission, for providing
for their maintenance as directed by
the law. This to be under the supervis-
ion OF the Society above referred
to, but subject OF course to the
control of the Board. 1t is hard to con-
ceive what else can be done. Ii the ex-
pertinent proves reasonably successful,
measures can be taken for the permanent
establishment OF a larger institution. 1t
was doubtless owing to Mrs. Newman's
efforts that the appropriation was made
by Congress, and it is only to be regretted
that it is subject to such restrictions as
are imposed in the bill, and which are
likely to defeat its purpose.