The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-06-07
The Orphans Home Affair.


The Orphans Home and Day Nursery
was established by good people and for
good purpose. 1t is non sectarian in its
character, both as to the promoters of the
institution and to its beneiciaries.
Ladies of different views are its chief
managers and supporters. They have
labored with commendable zeal to pro-
vide a home for the fatherless and keep
from want and crime little ones left with
out proper care and support,
In this good work great many kind
people, storekeepers and others, have
given them valuable assistance. Food.
clothing, various articles useful for the
purpose have been contributed in a spirit
of true benevolence. A few wealthy per-
sons have made some endowments to the
establishment Aud it was supposed
that it was admirably conducted in every
way.
The exposure made by one of the Sc
lectmen, as published iu yesterdays
HERALD, was startling in its unexpected
details. They are specifically denied,
however, by ons OF the lady managers.
On close examination the selectman S
structures are largely predicated on re-
ports. They may be greatly exaggerated,
and it is possible that some of them are
entirely incorrect. But he claims to have
seen the building and grounds, the former
mot clean and neat'' and the latter in
s'a deplorable condition." and to have
found the water used 'unfit for any pur-
pose whatsoever
The Homo has had the reputation OF
being we'll kept as to the house, but the
grounds have not been made useful or
ornamental. They are used chiefly as a
playground Tor the children. Some al
lowance may be made for the condition of
the grounds as lack of funds prevents
much being done with them, and the Sc
lectman may have visited the house at an
inopportune time, before it could be set
in order.
The chief complaint as to what he saw
is the water. Impure water is one of the
most fruitful causes OF disease. There
have been number of cases of scarlet
fever and other disorders at the Home,
but we believe they have not been fatal.
A flowing well supplies the water, but
many of that kind of wells contain
organic matter, and are very dangerous
TO health.
It will be in order for the trustees and
managers to investigate the affairs of the
Home thoroughly. 1t is a private insti-
tuition, with which the city and county
authorizes have nothing to do officially,
unless they place children there, or child
rem are so placed at the public cost, when
it is quite proper that the condition of the
Home should be known. The county has
been doing this and may consistently take
measures to learn whether it is a proper
place to put children dependent upon the
county Tor support.
There ought not to be any i'll feeling
over this matter. If reforms art
needed at the Home, it would
be wise for the managers to Sc,
that they are inaugurated. But i
must be remembered that they have tt
depend largely upon voluntary contribu
tions for its maintenance, and need hell
and sympathy and forbesrance in thei
efforts to do good. If this stirring up o
the affairs OF the Home shall be the mean
OF inducing people who can afford it t
come to its rescue and put it on
solid foundation, good will come of tn
censure, whether deserved or not, tina
was passed upon it by portion of tn
county court.