The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-06-16

Important tMeeting-Watters OF Inter
est Considered and Acted Upon,

est Considered and Acted Upon,
The following gentlemen, comprising
the State board of public charities, have
held an important session during the
past two days in our city: Messrs Chas
Duffy, Jr., NJ. D., of Newbern; Law
renee ). Haughton, of Pittsboro: ]. L.
Reid. NJ. d., of Old Fort: Wesley n.
Jones, of Raleigh; William A. Blair. of
Winston, and Capt. C. B. benson. sec
retary.
Reports were presented in reference to
the construction and management of the
penal and charitable institutions in 80
counties in the State. rendered through
the efficient aid of the local boards of
visitors established in each county by
the appointment of the State board. and
generously serving the public welfare by
personal inspection and report of the
county jails and ''homes" without cost
or expense to the people by either county
or State expenditure. Too much credit
cannot be given to the public spirited men
who are doing so much to meet the
greatest need In our system of State gov
ernment. Many reforms have already
been reported, and new and improved
Jals and "homes' are being constructed
or projected in various sections. In view
OF this movement, and upon the sugges-
tlon of the attorney general, the board
passed the following:
ResolUed, That the secretary be
requested to prepare circular
on the subject of the acquisitions of the
law in reference to the treatment and
care of prisoners in all respects, and the
management of the INDECENT in the coun-
ty homes; also to embody such points in
reference to the construction of buildings
and the providing Of conveniences for
the health and comfort of the inmates of
SAID Jalls and homes, as experlncc re-
commends and the honor and credit of
the State require
I'd, That the said circulars be sent to
the visitors representing the board of
charities, to the chairmen and board of
commissioners of each county, TO the
shcrlffs and superintendents of county
homes and to the mayors and chiefs of
police of each municipality of the State.
Upon the invitation of the superinten-
dent of the department. of charities Of the
Worlds Columbian Exposition at Chi
caso, steps were taken with a view to the
representation of notable State industries
of North Carolina.
The board provided for special com
mlttee to formulate plan or a reform
or industrial school or farm for Juvenile
offenders, to the end that they may be
removed from the penitentiary or county
Jalls and warehouses, and to memorable
the Legislature for the passage of suita-
bic law to accomplish this end. Messrs.
W. n. Jones, w. A. Blair, l.. j.
Haughton and c. b. benson, sec
retary, were appointed on said committee
Alter inspecting in person some of tn,
State institutions and providing for sub
sequent inspecting of the others, tn,
board adjourned yesterday evening
They held prolonged night session or
Tuesday night, discussing many impor
tant subjects referred to them for inves
tigation and decision.
In this connection, we call attention
to the sad fact that within the past week
the executive pardon was promptly anG
properly issued for woman who wa.
reported upon the best official authority
as literally dying, with her child, il
| o"c VI .ho eoih'N Piisons Vi our State
and her illness was attributed to its un
wholesome and ill-ventilsted condition
Every effort will be made TO remedy thi
evil. Our judges are alive to their re
sponsibility, and grand juries must b.
educated to heed the demands of aroused
public sentiment. 1t is for the press I,
be the most powerful agency in tn
humane work, and we hope it will sus
tain the board of public charities, an,
strengthen the hands of the local board
in the counties.