The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-02-27
TO HELP THE ORPHANS.
Proposed Improvements at the Prot
estant Asylum.
No More Children Can be Accommo-
dated in its Present Condition-An
Appeal for Homeless Waits.

One of the public institutions of this
city, in the proper maintenance Of which
the people have always manifested a COM
mendable spirit of pride, is the Protest
ant Orphan Asylum. Although its name
may seem TO imply that it is conducted
on the principle of strict sectarianism,
| such is not the fact. The asylum shelters,
| among its $50 inmates, children whose
parents were of various creeds, and no
bar IS set up against parentless and home
less little ones on that score.
Hence it is an institution that is entitled
to liberal aid from all classes and relig-
ions, its mission being one of pure
charity.
To properly house and care for those
helpless waits who are, by death or de-
sertion, cast upon the world to struggle
for existence, is the constant aim OF the
good ladies who give their time, and en-
ergies, and motherly care to promote the
well-being of unfortunate children.
| Wherefore it is meet and just that they
! should receive the aid and encourage
/ ment of the community. Fathers and
mothers who may be called suddenly by
death can do no more worthy act than
| aid, so far as their means will allow, in
| placing institutions of this character on a
! safe and solid foOtingi for there is no
| telling when the asylum may become the
home of their own loved ones.
| The lady managers of the Orphan ASy-
lum have now in contemplation the
| making OF many needed improvements
which cannot longer be delayed; but
these cannot be carried into effect without
| liberal aid from the public.
| The main building must be raised some
| three and one-half feet and provided with
a brick foundation. The interior also
needs remodeling and renovation, with
an improved system Of sanitary plumb
! ing IN order to promote the health and
/ comfort of its inmates. The proposed
| improvements also include the repaint-
| ing of the building, inside and outside, a
new furnace for heating purposes, the fill
ing IN and refencing Of the grounds, and
| other things.
The one hundred and fifty orphans and
| halt-orphans, of all nationalities and re-
/ hgIons, now there, are all that the asylum
| can accom- modate, and more room will be
required to meet the steadily growing de-
mand upon it, which keeps pace with the
increasing population.
Among the children now in the home
are some twenty-five that would other
wise be direct charge upon the county.
This TACT explains the necessity for the
recent application to the Board of Super
visors for small monthly allowance to-
/ ward the support of the institution, which
| that body wisely granted.
Next week committee viii begin a
canvass of the city for subscriptions to
enable the managers to carry out their
plans for the improvement of the asylum,
and it Is hoped that they will be received
| by the citizens-not as solicitors in an I'M
worthy cause - but as the recognized
friends of parentless and homeless chill
dren whom misfortune had thrown upon
the charity of the community.
All cannot, of course, give largely, even
to so worthy cause, but there are many
thousand citizens who can spare some
thing without the slightest Inconvenience
| to themselves; and even small sums from
many individuals will materially assist
in raising the necessary fund for the good
work contemplated. The Canvassing
| Committee should not confine their opera
| tons to the city, either, as the cause is
one that interests the people of all por-
| tons of ecounty alike. The committee
will consist of Joseph Steffens, Eugene
Gregory, A. A. Van VOORHEES,, Ben Will
| son, A. Abbott and r. G. Irvine.