Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-01
DIR. HoIton's Statement.

Ladies and Geptlemen:-It gives the
directors of the Home for the Aged and
Disabled great pleasure to respond to an
invitation to give you a statement of the
present status of this charity from which
so much is expected, and for which we all
desire most generous and substantial recor-
milton. The inception, the incorporation,
the organization, and the first gift by Mr.,
Elisha d. Smith, former resident here.
of the generous sum of $4,000. are all IA
miliar to you as matters of history, and
need not now be rehearsed. The directors
have always been, and now are, anxious to
move forward in the establishment of this
noble charity as rapidly as may be in con-
formity with sound business principles,
and having in view the permanency and
stability of the Home.
First, we must have funds sufficient to
purchase suitable plot of ground, ard
erect thereon, If they are not already there,
the necessary buildings for carrying out its
purposes. Secondly, we must have an as
sured income from some source, sufficient
to defray the ordinary running expenses,
which will necessarily be in excess of the
sums paid by the inmates on their entrance
into the Home. Every person received as
a permanent member of the home by the
directors thereby acquires legal right to
care and support during the remainder of
his or her lives. The directors cannot
honorably accept any person and give this
assurance unless they know that they have
the means to fully comply with the obliga-
ton which they assume.
How do we expect to obtain the sum
necessary to accomplish these ends? By
voluntary contributions from the warm
hearted, generous people who are inter
ested in the establishment of most bene-
ficent charity, and who have the means to
give in large or small sums as God NAV
have prospered them. No amount can be
so small that it will not be an acceptable
aid in the good work, and no sum so large
that we cannot make proper and econom-
ical use of it in furthering this worthy
| benefaction. Already many persons have
| Sgnified their desire and intention to give
something to aid in this work, but have
not as yet seen their way to immediate ac-
| ton.
We had hoped during the past summer
! to have pressed this matter upon the atten-
ton of those benevolently inclined, but in
the presence of the great financial embar-
rassment which spread over the country we
have not thought it wise or opportune to
do so. If some one would give us the
requisite grounds and buildings, or if each
person who intends to contribute would
say that at given time, or at the time
when the sums contributed or promised
would warrant the directors in actually
opening the doors of the Home, we could
depend upon them for fixed sum, be ii
small or large, we believe the time for ded-
icating the home would not be long de
ferred. We have in addition to the gener-
Gus gift of Mr.. Smith of $1,000, the sum OF
500 from Mr.. p. r. Chandler of Chicago,
which constitutes him an honorary life
member. These sums are for the present
on interest awaiting the other sums which
will surely come to complete benefactior
which will be a lasting memorial to all who
shall aid in its establishment.