Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-11-04
A QUESTION OF CREED.
SPEAKER DoNAHOE BEFORE THE
LEVY COURT.

Aid FOR Two Catholic Institutions Dis
cussed-The Republicans Members Re
fuse TO Pay One Thousand Dollars Voted
BY the cid Levy Conrt.
The Levy Court reassembled at 2 80
o'clock yesterday afternoon
Mr. Clark made return Of $11 10 fol
the sale of old lumber in Red Lion hun
dred and the conrt ordered that the
amount be credited to the appropriation
for that hundred.
The Catholic Problem.
Commissioner Hickman presented tbe
following comm Tnication from Speaker
of the Senate John p Donahoe. which is
in substance as fellows:
To the Honorable the Levy Court of
New Castle County:
i appeal to you upon a question that
l have always taken deep interest in
- charity. l appear before you as Pc
member OF the Board Of Managers of st.
Jamess Male Protectory and l also rep.
resent st. Peters Female Orphsnage. l
appeal to you in their behalf We in
cities aud large towns see much more Of
misery and want than you who live in the
country. and can appreciate an institu-
tlon that alleviates such misery.
About fifty years ago st. Peters
Female Orphanage was founded in this
city. II was run by the Sisters Of Char
lty, who receive no compensation for
their work. Since it was founded 400
female orphans have been cared for
within its walls, and many Of them are
to day honored mothers in this county.
There are now fifty orphans in the insti-
tuition, but II has capacity of 100.
The charge that the institution Is
sectarian is untrue. no case can be
cited where child has been turned away
on account OF its creed or the creed OF
lte parents. Protestant children are at
this moment within its walls, Protest
ants also contribute to It's support.
Neither do the sisters attempt to make
these children forget the faith Of their
parents They simply exercise the right
OF conducting the home under the forms
Of their own religion, as some slight
compensation for their untirlng devotion
In behalf Of charity.
The st. James Male proteetorv Il
located near Delaware City. 1t was
founded in 1879 In this city. The growth
OF the city necessitated its removal to
the Clark farm in Red Lion hundred Ii
was made first class in all its appoint.
ments, and there orphan boys are taken
care OF by the Sisters OF st. Francis
These sisters perform all the work and
without compensation.
The boys are kept there until they
reach the age of fifteen years Then they
are given good homes where they will
have an opportunity to learn occupations
that will enable them to earn comfortable
livings. They can be committed to the
institution by any judge or committing
magistrate. The institution cost $14. goo,
and the average number Of boys there is
fifty. 1t has not cost the county one
cent.
In March, 1888, the Levy Court
donated $500 to each of these institu-
tons. This was repeated in March, 1890.
but owing to the lack of funds payment
was deferred and neither institution has
received this donation. all other chari-
table donations have since been msde.
Some members want the law. None
Of the charitable donations made by the
old court Of 1889 and 1890 were msnda-
tory with the exception Of that of the
Ferris Reform School. The others were
optional. Repairs needed to the build
ings were made and supplies were bought
under the belief that these donations
would be forthcoming. do not claim
anything for 1891, as you have decided
not TO donate anything to these two in
situations. | 10 contend, however, that
they should receive the donations made
by the old court They have saved the
county expense by caring for these or
phans. 1000 each year would not paw
the interest on the additional appropris-
ton made necessary for the county
TO raise to make provision for keeping
them. JOHN r. noNAHoF. " .
Chairman Clark Of the committee hav
ing the matter under consideration
stated that the committee would REQUIRE
an opinion fiom the Levy Courts at
torney as TO the legality of the appropria-
tion before acting in the matter
Speaker Donahoe was present. Mr..
Jolls asked him If there had not been an
effort made at the last session of the
General Assembly TO legalize the ap
preparations to these institutions BE
replied that no such effort was made as
1t was not deemed necessary. Mr.. Jolls
replied that he understood that such an
effort was made and the General Assem-
bly, refused to legallze them.
GtcotNHA D0udAot QiHtltlmtN any 6ucn
action by the Legislature, and said that
all he asked for was that the appropria-
lions be made as they have been mad >
in past years.
Chairman Buckingham and Commits
sioners Clark and Jolls said that while
they appreciated the good work being
done by the two institutions they did
not feel justified in voting for the appro-
priations until they saw the law author
izing the Levy Court to make them
There the matter rested pending an opin.
ion from council and the report of the
committee based upen that opinion.
The report of the commission appointed
to condemn a new road through Man.
sell Tweed's place near Newark in 1885
was called up by Mr.. ellis and accepted.
The damage was placed at s25. The
road will be opened at once.
The Court then adjourned until No
vember II.