New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-08
TIE CHILDRENS FRIENDS.

Trw humane organizations in this land Of
Philanthropy and systcmaizc1 charity nave Il
more honorable record than the Ncw-York So
ciciy for the Prevention Of Cruelty 10 Children.
During its nineteen years OF corporate existence
it has accomplished Il most wonderful work IN
rcscuing thousands Of children from crime. bar
barous treatment and misery. Anon" It's EARL
est achievements were the prosecution Of Cow
lev and Interference with padroncS. but us
agencies for the protection and redemption Of
children have been enlarged and multiplied
until not a day passes without a record in the
press ~ some timely act of intervention in the
fortunes Of child life in the metropolis During
those nineteen years complaints involving the
care and custody of 23I. 900 children have been
investigated. over 1900 convictions hay" been
secured ana 4O,aiO children have been rescued
and relieved. These figures. remarkable rs they
are rs II statistical exhibit. convey only faint
impression OF tho ceascl"ss activities OF this
most useful AMI practical Of humane organiza-
lions
For the first time In It's history this society
IS now appealing To the Legislature for financial
assistance. This Is not because there has been
lack of support from generous patrons. but be-
cause It's work has been nearly quadrupled by
the influx OF foreigners from countries where
bnlnI... childhood l. profaoseJ. An act in
troduced into the Legislature authorizes the
Boarl Of Estimate and Apportionment Of this
city to appropriate $4,000 for the use Of the
society as well as $4,000 for the support OF
The American Female Guardian Society, with
an allowance of So week for every child
maintained by IL under q magistrates commit
mcnt We bcspcak for this bill immediate at
Ilnn. nAtia
societies are doing a work Of such magnitude
and Increasing utility that they are justified
In asking for this moderate measure Of munic-
pal aid. These appropriations will be only
fraction OF the amount actually saved through
their instrumeniaty. The Newiork Society
for the Prevention Of Cruelty 10 Children has
exposed by timely investigation during ten
years l1.02l eases OF improper commitment Of
children. and thereby has lcsscncd the munlc-
ipal expenses 10 the extent Of Sl,i1O,1St. When
a society can produce, such Il record OF rctrench-
mcnt as this In the interest Of the city, 1t Is en-
titled 10 direct municipal support
The society has become in fact necessary
part of the municipal government. It's special
officers are in attendance In every police court,
and every Police Justice makes large Use OF
their services In the investigation OF cases OF
dcstifutiOn, SO rs To battle the efforts Of non
residents 10 saddle upon the city the support
and maintenance of children who ought to be
cared for elsewhere. This Is only single de-
tail Of lis work. but 1t suilices to Justify on eco
nomic grounds its appeal for an appropriation
from the city treasury More COMPREHENSIVE
It's plea may be based upon It's important func-
tons in securing the enforcement Of laws enact
cd for the suppression Of cruelty 10 children.
The State has dccrecd. not only that children
may be educated at public expense, but also
that they shall not BE- degraded and dcmOraliZed
by prccocious employment, inhuman treatment
and mcrccnary greed. II the law Is not dead
letter to-day In this town it Is because the
doors Of this society are never closed. and Its
agents are ever vigilant and untring I'm their
efforts 10 enforce it, Relentless I'm their war
fare upon the opprcssors Of neglected and help
less childhood. they are mercful and humane
I'm all their mnsirations OF relief We have
spoken mainly Of the work Of one society, but
both organizations need and deserve the munIc-
ipal support which the Legislature, We are con.
iidcnt, will authorize without delay.