Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-28
THE STATE.
FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
How the UnfOrtunates are Saved from
A Life of Crime,

During the 81 months ending June 30 last
there were received at the state public
school for dependent children, at Coldwater,
247 boys and III girls, total of 374. Since
the organization OF the school in 1874 there
have been 2,5l2 children received. OF the
374 admitted during the biennial period, 81
were adopted, eight married, l0o declared
se1f-supporting, 80 were returned To the
counties whence they came. II became Of
age and IL died. But three, however, died
at the institution, nine dying at houses
where they had been placed. The average
daily number belonging 10 the school (pres-
ent and on trial) was 81, while the aver
age daily population at the school was about
$50. The average age OF the children is
z AT years, and the average time of their
detention is IA months. During the period
81 children We're indentured to various
persons throughout the state, and ut the
close of the period l20 children were out on
trial.
The cost Of maintenance is less than 800
per capita per year. As compared with the
cost of similar work in other states the
Michigan system is fully one-half more
economical, and the board rightly believes
that the prevention of crime and pauper
ism, by the proper treatment ofthe neglect
ed youth, is work worthy OF tho best
thought and laboys Of the law makers. The
Michigan systems greater economy is in
its humanity. Neglected children become
the progenitors OF dependent criminal
race Degrading influences on childhood
are indelible and destructive. The Michigan
system is humane, and humanity and econ
omy have no conflict Prevention is safe
and economical, and in this work Michigan
is the pioneer.
The children assist IN the care of the
cottaUA, each Of which is presided over by
"a lady. They work on tho farm and in the
garden as their age will permit. They at
tend good primary schools, and are trained
in good manners and taught religious
truths. Finally they are placed in good
homes which must first be approved by the
county agents, appointed by the governor.
BY county agents, the travelling agent OF
she school, and reports from guardians, a
rareful watch is kept over the children dur
ing their minority and, If thought advisable,
they are removed from the family at any
lime.
There aro nearly thousand homes
throughout the state in which there are
children under the supervision of the
school During the past two years."
Agent Streeter says, could we have filled
all applications, over eight hundred child
rem would have been placed in homes in
stead of but few more than half that num-
ber."
In his visits to county houses the agent
occasionally found children eligible to the
school. He believes the placing of child
rem direct from county houses TO be a per-
niciOus habit
The serious attention of the legislature
is directed TO the necessity of some enact
ment whereby ill-treated-not dependent
children may be taken from their parents
or guardians and placed under the protec-
ton OF public authority.
For current expenses of 1889 and 1890 the
board ask S33, 900 for each year. This is a
decrease Of 81, 900 from each Of the last two
years. In addition to this they ask for 81
500 for repairs on buildings, new boilers,
furniture aud cement walks.
Believing that more knowledge of the
school is desired the board urges personal
inspection of it by the public and invites
their especial attention to the following
facts: There are here always little boys
and girls, 2 years of age and upward, for
whom good homes are desired. These
children will average well, mentally, NOR
ally and physically, with those in the coun-
try schools. They are not delinquents.
They are only dependent. This is not
an institution for offenders 1t is part of
the educational system of the state. Appli-
cants VINO are approved by the county
agents are always welcome, and especial
pains will be taken 10 select children suited
N their hOmCc