The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-26
A GALA DAY At BETHESDA.
The Union SOciety'S t43d Ami
VerSaTy Celebration.

the Election of of4cers-Mr. T. ID.
Rockwell's Address-Mr. DeRenne's
Gift to the Society The Eastern
Wing of the Orphan House to Be
Built
Yesterday was a typical spring day,
and just such a one as invites those who
love'the country to take any opportunity
offering to quit the busy marts of trade
and business thoroughfares for awhile
The l43d anniversary Of WHITFIELD
House Of Mercy could not have fallen on
more balmy day, and the large at
tendance at Bethesda bore testimony of
the allurements of such lovely weather, AS
well as the interest felt by its friends in
tho most venerable of Georgia's numerous
charities.
The first train leaving Second avenue
depot was crowded to its full capacity,
and to accommodate all who were going
an additional car had 10 be added. The
train service was very unsa tisfaCtory
The last train from Bethesda did not leave
there until 7:15 o'clock p. m. Long before
noon the spacious grounds and the
Orphan House were we'll filled with Wis
itOrs, and before the bell summoning the
boys to their anniversary dinner sounded
the campus had such crowd on it that
has not been seen there in many years.
THE DINNER.
The stewards of the society had furnished
a bOuntiful supply Of everything nice,
and the boys showed their appreciation
of the good things sent in by their friends
by doing full justice to what was before
them. Mr.. r. B. Reppard, asusUal was
master of ceremonies during the feast,
and at its close called upon several gentle
men who were lOOkers-On to speak to the
boys.
Excepting during the delivery of the
address the younger visitors enjoyed
themselves by dancing.
The annual meeting was held in the
parlOr of the Orphan House and was
more largely attended than any for years
past. President Estill called the meetin,
to order at 2:30 o'clock p. m. The min
utCs having been printed in pamphlet
form, the reading of them was on motion
dispensed with.
The presidents report was read, as
follows and ordered to be inserted in the
minutes:
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Bethesda, April %. 1893.
To the Members of the Union Society:
1t is my pleasant duty to report that the af-
fairs OF the society are in q healthy and pros
ptIOuS COlulIiOH. lHdb IS, Ilb Society Is
doing more than ever in caring for orphan
and friendlesS boys The expenses of the
society, however have exceeded its income
by nearly $1,000. This deficit is mainly due to
the failure of the Central railroad to meet its
obligations. A little retrenchment here and
there, and closing the archaeological school
for the present viii bring the expenses of the
orphan home within the SOciety'S income
The society may be therefore considered in
fairly good financial condition, and there is
no necessity for any curtailment of its work
except in the matter referred to and to which
l shall again refer.
The expense of maintaining Bethesda for
the past year. including repairs and addi-
tions, amounted to Sl2,537 y. The increase
over last year is owing to the additional mum.
Der of boys and also to the advance in the
cost OF supplies The various investments and
other resources should bring into the treasury
Sll $40, but nothing was received during the
last year from S11 400 of Central railroad de-
bcntures. or from a 81 900 Central railroad
bond, and in all probability the 50 shares of
stock OF the Augusta and Savannah railroad
Will also soon cease, temporarily | hope to be
a source of income These defaults will re-
duce the net income of the society to
Sl0,722 0S.
Under resolution of the board of mana
gers, adopted Feb. q, the stock Of the Augusta
and savannah railroad, amounting to IS 200
Sll,40O Central railroad debentures and
$4,000 Montgomery and Euf&ula railroad
bonds have been placed in the hands of the
reorganization committee of the Central rail
road.
The attorneys of the society having advised
the acceptance of the offer made by the rep
rCsentatives OF the estate of Finigan in re-
gard to lots lO5, III and 112 Springfield planta-
ton, with the consent of the board of man
ayers, accepted 1910 % net in full settle
ment OF all claims OF the society against that
property.
The principal Of the Bethesda school ten
dered his resignation Jan 81 and il WAS ac-
cepted. Since that time the school has been
In the charge OF the assistant teachers The
vacancy will be filled as soon as a suitable
person can be found.
During the past year we have lost three
members by removal, eleven by resignation
and four by death. We have added eleven
new members to the roll, making loss of
seven members There are now 191 members
on the roll.
The society has lost four members by
death since my last report, viz: MessrS.
Samuel $. Guckenhemer Dominic Brown
Osceola Butler and G. w Haslam. Mr.. Butler
was chairman OF the stewards for many years
and more faithful and efficient officer the
society never had. Mr.. Brown was % devoted
member He bequeathed $1,000 to the So
ciety, which amount was promptly paid over
by his executors
There have been $50 boys at Bethesda since
the last anniversary, 30 boys have left and A
have been admitted and there are 1906 tovs
now in the Orphan House. There was one
death, Charles Palletier, who died at his
mothers residence in Savannah.
Ihirtyfour boys are under instructions in the
Neurological school in wood turning, bench
work and blacksmithing. They have made
fair progress, but boys at Bethesda, as a rule
are too young when they enter to avail them
selves OF the advantages offered by the man
ual training school. and when they get old
enough they leave the institution to earn a
living for themselves and others. OF course
all boys can be compelled to remain until they
are Is years Of age, but when there are 20
many calls upon the society for the admission
of little boys who cannot help themselves let
alone help others, IL is not good policy or good
charity to compel large boys to remain in
order to give them a chronological education
The board OF managers. at my suggestion
has directed that the archaeological school be
closed. at least for a while and it will be dis
continued as soon as the term of Mr. Hunters
engagement expires. In this connection [
would say Mr.. Hunter, the instructor In the
archaeological department is a competent
teacher and faithful and courteous officer
and we shall part with him with regret
Mrs. Turner the matron resigned her no.
sition and Miss II. +. Gillespie was appoinfed
on May IS last to the vacancy. Miss N, n
Wallis resigned her position as teacher July
last. and +. w ObOrn, the Bethesda how
whom the society sent to Emory College. and
who had returned, was appointed to fill the
place.
The committee appointed to revise the nv.
laws OF the society performed that duty and
the revised laws were published in the last
annual report
The Bethesda school was examined by the
committee from the public schools n fe,y
weeks since. l have not vet received the
committee report, but understand they were
well pleased with the school
The farming operations are about as usual
Enough Is raised 10 furnish an ample supply