New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
GOOD WORK OF A YEAR.
REPORT OF THE STATE CHARITIES AID
ASSOCIATION.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF "A COLONY FOR EPI
LEPTICS-THE CHARITIES AMENDMENT
TO fHE CONSTITUTION

ESTABLISHMENT
LEPTIcs-THE CHARITIES AMENDMENT
TO fHE CONSTITUTION.
The following Is summary of the twenty-second
annual report of the State Charities Aid Associa-
ton to the State Board Of Charities. with gen.
eral survey of the work OF the last year:
During the last year, besides continuing its reg,i-
lar visitation of State. county and city Charitable
institutions. the ASSOCIATION has carried on an u'i-
denaueDt children in the State Of Network was
held November l4-G. 1888 The primary object OF
the conference WIS to offer opportunity through
mutual discussion for education III progressiNe
bic to measure the value of such educational work,
it is known that several important reforms nave
2 The association has secured the passage Of
law establishing and organizing State colony LOT
efoTts Of four Years IN behalf of dependent cpl
leptcs Geo of whom are now mingled indiscrlfl-
nately with the amshousc population or the state
8 The association has secured the passage OF an
important law affecting the commitment and care
OF dependent children In Kings comfy ms dcs
provides for an investigation by the Commissioners
OF Charities and Corrections, and report OF the
facts ascertained TO magistrates, previous 70 tne
commitment OF children. 1t also authorizes any
magistrate to review any such commltmen, ,a al .ns
request OF the institution to winch the cnlld wa
committed or at the request Of the Commissioners
OF Charities and Corrections. ,,,
Convention very. complete statement OF existing
conditions in NewYork city in regard to dependen.
passed since 1851. providing for mandatory pay
ments by New-York CITY TO private institutions.
This Informal ton conG!dcred OF mucn Valuc
by the Charities Committee. 49, -
g. The association submitted to tie Committee on
Charities Of the constitutional Convention an
amendment providing for state supervision over
formatorv institutions. 10Th public and private,
within the State including the constitutional recos
milton OF the State BOARD o. Cnarties snu t ,nr
State Commission In lunacy, and provision LOT
the creation Of "A State Commission or Prsons anG
This nmcndment Win sorHe additions made by the
Committee On Charities, was accepted by me . 1on,
vention and adopted by tie people at the recent
Ths association has nangnra'ca systs srso OF
sut Who have BEEN placed on, in fanile- There
are fully 5000 such children in the state and there
talnirg their condition nnd protecting their rights
owing 10 the lack OF any, adequate inyestisaiiom
occaslonally mad their wy lnto extremely insult,
able homes, and much larger number are deprived
OF any organized watchfulncss. 4 beginning has
been made b. he sahSn 81 al years by af tsn
Al,rshouso Commissioners Of Newburg. The local
COMMITTEE Of the assocation for ne ely ana Sw
such supervision. and to ind good family homes
for children Dc Ss n c has nf aread
been reduced by thla means from foFty-hve 10
me work Of the AgsnSy for Providing TUGx 5 81,
other VIM INSTITUTIONS in this city has been actively
carried 4: women having been PLACED IN s si,u
This brief outline OF TIE work OF the association
for a single year and the statement that the num-
Der OF inmates of public charitable institutions
subject BY statute TO It's visitation s no less than
gj OO and tina. no other unofficial organization is
working in this field. should enlist the sympathy
and support OF all good citizens
We Wish also TO call attention to the fact that
the history OF the association IA Of much interest
ard Importance to students Of social problems ana
political institutions. The whole work OF the asso-
citation during the twenty-five years o, its e.
isience has been a study at first hand OF one
great branch OF the public service. and an enort
TO give II wiser direction and TO increase JUS
efficiency.
Nowhere, perhaps. does the State undertake a
more delicate task than In assuming the care or us
dependent and defective members. As result OF
lts study OF State, county and city charitable IN
situations the association has recommended ana
secured important notifications In their organiza-
ton and methods. Experience has proved that
for certain lines OF work the State is better unit
than the county. The association has secured
state care FOR the insane and for epllentcs. ON
the other hand, II recommends that one line OF
public charity. the distribution OF outdoor rehel
be discontinued. 49,,
II Is most hopeful sign OF the times that these
political and social problems are being mace
subjects OF study and investigation In all the lean-
ing colleges and universities, and We note WIN
pleasure the establishment OF the Department or
Sociology Ina Columbia College during the iast
year. II Is greatly to be hoped that the PUBIC
charities no less than the private. may proht oy
clearer ideas and the lofter ideas gained by
college and university training.