Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-28
A SUGGESTION FOR THE ORPHANS
BENEFIT.

BENEFIT.
1t is suggested that the musical benefit
performance being arranged for next week
to aid in swelling the building fund of the
orphan asylum in this city, should be aug
mented in Importance and made notable
in local history, by action OF the military
and civic societies of the city. That is, that
all the organizations of those two classes,
or any others, assemble at their halls on
the evening agreed upon and march in a
body to the Pavilion with banners and
regalia.
The idea seems TO us worthy of adoption.
Certainly it would make an imposing de-
monstration and result in drawing to the
hall an immense concourse of people.
Moreover, it would have profound moral
effect Nothing tends to more cement the
members of community in purpose and
works. and to harmonic them, than COM
mon heartfelt engagement in benevolent
offices. Such demonstration also would
call attention far and wide to the noble
work in which the people of Sacra-
mento are now engaged, the securing of
permanent provision for ore Of the oldest,
best and largest orphan asylums in the
State, and the housing of the children of
charity in proper manner with greater
comfort.
The immediate cause of the quickened
benevolence Of the present hour is the pre-
sence of epidemic disease in the Asylum,
by which nearly hundred children have
been Frustrated. The visitation of suffer-
ing has developed the fact that the Asylum
is poorly prepared to meet such ills. 1t has
no hospital accommodations its living
quarters are now inadequate it is con-
stantly receiving greater and greater de-
mands upon its benevolence; il is depend
ent upen the uncertainty of month to
month contributions to meet its augment
ing expenses; the latter may exceed the
former at any moment. Perhaps the
Asylum ought 10 be relocated where the
children can have more room, and be
given the benefit of training upon piece
of ground that could be put to some uses
of cultivation, and employ the elder chill
dren to an extent in production.
But there can be no enlargement Of the
usefulness of the institution no reforma-
ton of the inadequacy of accommodation
no permanent relief, without a good deal
of money contribution. 1t ought not be
looked upon as great task to raise fifteen
or twenty thousand dollars for these pur.
poses. II is but an investment, and pays
the best interest any money receives. We
are not TO say that the present distress at
the Asylum is providential to quicken our
benevolent impulses. But we are to say
that we violated natural laws by housing
so many children together with no provi-
sion for isolation of those who fall sick,
and that the natural consequence having
resulted, it should stimulate our charitable
instincts to the liveliest activity
The benefit concert is one of the means
great-hearted, broad-handed benevolence
suggests. II is a profer by musicians who
work hard for daily bread, and have never
assurance of steady employment Their
kindness ought to he royalty seconded, and
one way TO do il is to have the civil and |
military societies attend the benefit in
their associated capacity. Very true
many citizens belong to some of the asso-
Citations, and the membership is thus in
strength, not what it is in aprar numeri !
cal aggregate, but there is no lodge, society !
or company that cannot turn out splendid |
delegation for the occasion.
The regimental bodies and the uni
formed branches of the civic bodies could, !
after passing in review, hold dress parade |
in the great hall, and some of them could |
give exhibition drills, perhaps, and we
doubt not every member of these organiza-
tions will gladly volunteer for these drills. |
The civic societies would add to the brill |
fancy of the spectacle and their member
ship testify by personal presence to the
fullness of heart with which their lodges
have already given to the noble work
The news Ct the event would go abroad
bring outside aid but above all and be-
yond all, the affair would partake of the !
nature of a second demonstration such as
Sacramento gave in the sincerity of Its !
=
for her bountiful benevolence in this COM
munity; demonstration which will re-
dound to the credit of Sacramento in its
latest history.