Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-09-27
five families specified by him in his wicked
L e. III t.

FIVE families specified by him in his wicked
and foolish ''report."
There is one other point which 1t is
proper that should touch upon, having
more complete information of certain mat
ters than the general public.
In case of murder motive is looked
for. So when an honorable reputation is
attacked with intent to kill" we try to
find motive for the deed. It is not far
to seek IN this case.
ALMsHoUsE LAWS.
On January 1, 1884, the law prohibiting
the commitment of children to almshouses
and establishing county temporary homes,
went into force, and with it the determine
ton of certain selectmen to defy the law
made itself known. From January 8,
1884, to June 1, 1887, eleven different
bills were presented to the Legislatures for
setting aside this law which substituted
/ county homes for almshouses. was
present with Mrs. Smith before the 1egis-
lative committee which considered all these
bills. They were successfully defeated.
The defiant attitude on the part of GER
tain selectmen was, however, maintained;
and in 1888 the continued opposition to
the law in Hartford took shape in well
known case fully stated in the report of
the state board of charities for that year,
which may be read with profit from pages
As to 56 inclusive, and which was printed
in the Hartford Courant commencing with
the issue of Friday, March 9, 1888.
In this case Mrs. Smith, aided by the
secretary of the state board of charities,
was instrumental in rescuing child from
the Hartford alsmhouse, against deter
mined opposition-and the town agent
| suffered defeat largely at her hands.
In March, '89, some selectmen of the
state presented bill to the legislature
praying that the state board of charities
should be prohibited from visiting aims
houses.
The first selectman of Hartford was in
terested in the success of this bill.
Mrs. Smith, in connection with others
opposed the measure in the interests O.
humanity. The bill was defeated ant
officials, owed his failure largely to Mrs
| Smith.
Again, recent case of the detention O
child In the Hartford almshouse has oc
cupied public attention, and the court
through the efforts of Mrs. Smith, has re
moved the child, committing it to count
home in spite of the determined opposition
of the frat selectman, and once more Mrs
Smith has won victory over him in tn
| interests of the law.
MOTIVE ALLEGED.
} Still another grievance of this tow
agent against Mrs. Smith has to be re
corded. To the "Report of the specia
committee on Outdoor Aims" appointe
by a town meeting in Hartford in 1890
Mrs. Smith furnished some importan
statistics. have reason to believe tina
this information, which reflected upon tn
management of town affairs, has give
more offense to the town agent than a
previous opposition of Mrs Smith to hi
, views and methods. That Hartfor
should be found by the special committe
; Heading the world, the old as well as th
new, in her largess to the il
digent," (see page of the repor
!, !, | was more than this selectman fe
called upon to endure. Some one must
7 made to suffer. Figures cannot be contrt
! verified; but here is woman against who1
all the grudges that have been enume
ated stand waiting for satisfaction. Ope
attack might bs actionable, but insin'
atoms and innuendoes of the most sham
: less character are safe, and pentup wrat
may find vent after this fashion. SUI
NIT that the motive for this attack is ind
= Gated with sufficient clearness. Whe
= personal vindictiveness actuates an a
| sault upon an honored name, the attemr
ed injury has little weight with tho
>, whose Judgment is worth having.
Il GEORGE ANNA WooLsEY BACON.
Member Connecticut State Board of Cha
>. ties. NEW HAVEN, Sept. %, 1892.