Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-06
THE BOYS OF GIRARD.
A visit to the Institution for PENN
sylvania's FatherIess.
FEATURES OF THE FOUNDERS WILL
NO Ecclesiastic, Missionary or Minister
Allowed in the College.
THE EXCELLENT TRAINING GIVEN
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH ]

1t was fortunate occurrence, not only for
the city of Philadelphia but for the father
less boys of our State, that the French ship
L,Aimable Louise, commanded by Cap
tain Stephen Girard, was caught in fog
on the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Other
wise New York City might to-day be the
proud possessor of incompatible Girard
college; since that port was the objective
point oi the fog-bound vessel in 1776, only a
few weeks before the Declaration of Inje-
pendence. Captain Girard, being in igno-
rance of his whereabouts, fred signal gun
ior the purpose Of attracting pilot, and
this firing caused considerable excitement
on shore, since 1t was known that the Amer
lean Colonies had determined upon sepa-
ration from the mother country.
Upon the pilot coming aboard he gave the
Captain his bearings. and informed him Of
the war then existing between the colonies
and Great Britain. He also told him that
some ships commanded by Admiral Howe
were off the coast which made it unsafe for
him to proceed, as the probable result would
be the capture OF his ship, and he himself
becoming British prisoner; and advised
him to take his ship and cargo to Philadel-
phia. This Girard did, and to this simple,
yet exciting, occurrence we, doubtless, are
indebted for that boon to the widow and
orphan, Girard College.
THE CITY OF THE FArHERLEss.
A more pathetic sight it would be bard
for mother to imagine than that of !, 600
fatherless boys in one body-4O0 Of them
droll looking babies in long trousers be-
tween the ages Of 8 and 10-and yet this is
the number to be seen any day at this cot
tage home. Being ignorant of the required
permit when we presented ourselves at the
lodge or office gate, it required some little
bland1shment on our part and a pleasantly
to the effect that we were not preachers in
disguise before we were permitted to "pass"
Once inside the spacious enclosure we found
no difficulty in obtaining the freedom of the
place even to the kitchen, bake house and
dormitories. a privilege granted only to the
few, and which, for this reason, no doubt,
seemed to us the cream of the visit.
Cleanliness everywhere prevails within
this little city of the fatherless, from the
artistically cultivated 40 acres to the inner
most recesses of the splendid buildings,
which now number nine completed and an
other in process of erection. The four origi-
mails are conspicuous by their plain chaste
larger dimensions and more elaborate style
PROVISIONS OF MR.. GIRARD's WILL.
This college was first opened in 1S4s, with
just 100 pupils. Now, alter AZ years, they
number 1,60o-a large majority be-
ing from this State. By the
conditions of the will of Mr..
Girard, preference is first given to the city |
OF Philadelphia; after that to those
born in any part of the State Of Pennsyl- |
vania; then if there remain more vacancies |
than applicants, those born in the
city of New York shall be ad- |
Continent of North America at which ar
rived) and lastly to the city OF New Orleans
THAT being the first port of said continent at
which I traded; in tee first instance as
officer and subsequently as master and part
owner of a vessel and cargo).
So reads the will Of this benevolent
who further stipulates that
'the orphans are to be well fed with plain,
wholesome food, clothed in plain but decent
apparel (no distinctive dress to be worn)
ind lodged in plain but safe manner. Due
egard Is to be paid to their health, and to
his end their person and clothes shall be
,ept clean. and they shall have suitable and
ational exercise and recreation" They
/
'arious branches of sound education, COM
reading, writing, grammar,
rithmetic, geography. navigation, survey
ng. astronomy, natural, chemical and ex-
'erimental philosophy, and such other
earning and science as the capacities o; the
upils may merit or warrant" In regard
D the languages this eccentric benefactor
1akes French and Spanish requirement,
ut says of Greek and Latin: 81 do not
neither do forbid the study of
uch languages"
A PRACTICAL EDUCATION.
In addition to these branches boys are
NV taught bookkeeping and practical
rawing, and all have the option OF learn
lg printing, typewriting and telegraphy,
,ough these are not included in the regu- .
.r course In 1889 technical instruction
as first introduced, and the experiment |
roved so satisfactory that the following
ear the Board of Directors decided to
.ect the building now known as the Tech
ical Building. which is OF brown stone and
,st $63, 900 and is equipped with a power
Il engine, machinery, tools, etc. ALI =
upils. beyond certain age, are required to
,end five hours per week in this depart
ent at work in metal and wood. The
aiding contains boiler house and engine
ON, foundry iron department, department
mechanical drawing and shoe depart q
ent. Here the boys shoes are repaired J
Id many OF them made. L
The manual of arms is taught the pupils =
weekly drills, and in this they are said to =
ke great delight. The college has its own I
ND and drum corps. and Friday after =
IONS, the occasion OF the regular weekly r
rade and drill, the grounds present ute l
warlike appearance, and the boys SOL :,
erly bearing and conduct evidence good -
aching and apt scholarship. In the base =
ent of one of the buildings is the band and
um corps room where pupils are weekly
structed in band music. In another base A
mi L. tho nd in thu ha of |