Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-09
H o USE OF MERCY
A Report on q Home for Fallen but Repent
ant Ones il IL
Needs of the Institution Pointed Out
Tracey-Building Fund Wanted.

ltteS today submitted 70 tn0 commissioners
a statement covering the history Of the
House Of Mercy, and report of the past
year, and suggestions as to the future ad-
ministrative improvement. and the legisla-
ton desired to increase its efficiency. The
report reads as follows:
THE institution of the House of Mercy
origin ated in a meeting held at st. Johns
ChuI CHI in the spring Of 1888 of the Wo-
mans Auxiliary to the Board Of Missions,
at which 1t was determined to establish a
house of refuge and reformatory for fallen
and outcast women. The association was
organized January 10. 1884. by the election
of a board Of lady managers, a president
vice president, secretary and treasurer and
q board of trustees consisting Of twelve
gentlemen. Having obtained charter the
first work was to procure a permanent
residence where the benefciaries of the in
stitution might be received and furnished
the comforts of a Christian home and as
sociations that were calculated to benefit
and reform them. For this purpose the
trustees purchased valuable piece Of prop
erty on K and oath streets for the sum Of
$4,000 Since then lots adjoining on the
east have been purchased and additional
rooms added to the building, making the
aggregate cost of the property about $4,000
THE home, when first available, was
capable Of accommodating twelve benefici-
aries beside the sister in charge and as
sistants Since then 1t has been gradually
increased. until now it has accommodation
for twenty-five. The institution is entirely
free from debt.
Fallen Restored.
During the ten years Of its operation
the House of Mercy has been the means of
saving and restoring to a respectable life
many unfortunate women, who but for it's
charitable agency would have gone on in
their life of shame to a miserable death and
hopeless hereafter. Its capacity for use
fulness has greatly enlarged. During the
past two years additions and alterations
which have given more room have been
made and added comfort In every way.
1t is now in position to do meal
culable good II the necessary means are
furnished for its enlarged operations. 1t is
believed to be the only successful institution
of its kind south of New York, and Sc
cluded is 1t Is In the capital Of the country,
growing city Of already 100000 people.
fallen women the field for its operation is
almost illimitable
1.-The discipline Of the house, while not Sc
we're. is exact, and the utmost pains are
taken not only to elevate the character
and improve the morals Of the inmates but
also to teach them habits Of industry clean
illness and punctuality. and to train them
In such occupations as will insure them a
trained teachers, in which the inmates are
instructed in the elementary branches, is
held every afternoon. When fitted. they are
secured positions, and are looked after by
the ladies of the association tolinsure their
continuance in a virtuous life.l
Management of the House.
THE house for the past year has been
under the immediate management of Sister
Dorothea of the Sisterhood Of st. Mary,
and who has proven eminently adapted to
the work. and has given the greatest salts
faction to the authorities Of the institution,
ITV.ln hos -
great improvement in their moral and
physical condition.
Sources Of Revenue.
THE only sources Of revenue to meet the
expenses Of the house have been charitable
donations Of those who have manifested an
interest In the work. the earnings of the
inmates from sewing and needlework, which
is most neatly and satisfactorily done, and
the appropriations made from time to time
by Congress. The expenses amounted last
year to S2,957.32. of which sum 81 ISL was
received by congressional appropriation, and
the $l,i56.92 was made up of the earnings
of the inmates and the contributions of
private individuals.
Proposed Enlargement of the Build
THE managers Of the institution have
found themselves much crippled by the
want of sufficient accommodations, and
have been compelled to deny admission to
many unfortunate applicants because they
had no room for them. There Is no
remedy for this but an enlargement of the
building, and it is hoped that Congress-,
recognizing the great utility of the work,
will appropriate an adequate sum for the
erection OF the necessary addition for the
worst cases, as II Is absolutely necessary to
Keep them apart from those who are not so
utterly lawIess. The good TO be accom-
plshed by this institution is only measured
by its capacity. To improve this the lady
managers desire to ask of Congress the sum
OF SlO,VOv. and they earnestly ask that you
will approve an application to Congress for
this amount, believing as they do that there
Is no institution more worthy of assistance,
or moro beneficial to humanity than one
which has for its object the reclamation OF
unfortunate women"