The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-12


The annual report of Agent Charles ii.
Thurber to the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children submitted this
afternoon contains some startling statis-
tics not only as to the rescue of little ones
from harsh cruelty and vicious surround
ings but vigorous plea for
serious consideration of prevention of
the debauchment of little girls. He has
been shocked by recent disclosures. In
a house of i'll repute he found two sisters
aged II and Ia. The younger was in a
delicate condition and to hide her shame
she fed from her parents after the agent
had taken her home. The parents refused
to send them TO the Oaklawn school
for girls. subsequently he removed two
other girls, one only nine years OF age from
houses of prostitution. These cases took
him not only to resorts OF recognized bad
character but to business establishments
in the heart of the city. These were
not stores employing counter girls nor
carrying on general trade. The iden-
tity of the offenders is known to other
officers OF the law and they are practi-
cally under surveillance at the present
time. Mr.. Thurber adds that these girls
drifted into vile surroundings not because
sequence of parental carefessness in al
lowing their daughters the freedom OF the
streets and association with male acquaint-
ances of doubtful character. He says
that q terrible responsibility rests
upon the parents. In answer to the ques-
tion as to why he did not take more ag-
grcssive action under the law, he states
that 1t required overpowering testimony
and his efforts were thwarted by news
paper publicity which exposed his move-
ments.
Among the more aggravated cases of
cruelty and neglect he cites the following:
A little girl OF eight years recently res
cucd by this society, was for quite while
in one of the lowest houses of prostitution
in this city, it being her mothers home.
Another time ! found girl three years
old and baby eight months old
stupidity drunk, their mother being in the |
same condition and their father being not
much better of. In another home found |
. girl Of years whose mother was the |
companion of negro, and |
whose surroundings where infe- |
rior 30 those of beast. L |
might mention a half a dozen similar |
cases, but perhaps these will suffice, par
ticularly when add that one other girl, |
IA years old, was found to be of such |
low character when taken to |
to be sent to the Oaklawn school. |
AS have said in previous reports the |
work of this society has borne noble fruit, |
and while the routine yearly becomes
greater the number OF prosecutions do not |
keep pace with it, for the power |
OF this organization is appre-
ciated by those in whom the |
sense of fear is keen, but i'm whom the |
sense of mercy does not exist During |
the year 1898 we had 12i new cases, in |
volving 244 children, and re-investigated Z |
old cases, involving II chill dren which |
makes total of 25S child |
rem under investigation during |
the year, or an average of nearly one day |
during the entire period. OF the children |
taken in charge by us, lib 3have been trans |
ferred to better homes than those wherein
they were found, or in other words, nearly |
50 per cent. of the whole number this wear |
have been wholly removed from immoral |
surroundings.
To what depth of degradation might
not they have sunk, TO what terrible |
cruelty or exposure might not they have
succumbed, or what stain might not
they have added TO the criminal annals |
OF this state, but for the Intervention of |
this society.
The Report i'm Detail.
Case 1OSl. Frank years, Mary wears.
mother dead. Father drunk
most OF the time. House the
resort OF the lowest class.
D't.4 Children without food or cloth
ing and covered with vermin:
no fire in the house, children
had 10 go to the neighbors for
warmth. The house was filthy
as well as the bed. Windows
broken and ice on the floor. At
hearing before Judge Sphinx |
OF the municipal court the |
children were ordered to the
custody Of the society.
Case 1oS2. Annie ID years, Willie Ia
't9 years, Rose years, Frank |
years, Levi years, Theresa |
year. Father i'm jail, mother
drunk most of the time.
Family found i'm miserable |
basement, without fire or food.
The children were destitute OF
clothing, and had TO be |
wrapped in blankets TO be
taken away. They were COW
cred with vermin. The little |
babe was covered with sores.
The two eldest We're sent for |
liquor, and beaten IL they re-
fused. Ordered TO the custody !
ofthe society by Judge SPHINX !
of the municipal court.
Case 1885. Alice 10 years, William years,
Elizabeth years. These child
rem were found in n cellar with
out fire or food. The mother
was drunk most OF the time.
Tbe place where they lived was |