The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-08
MET AT THE POOR FARM.
Report of the Committee Appointed to
Visit the Charitable Institutions Of the
City Read and Adopted.

Report of the Committee Appointed to
Visit the Charitable Institutions of the
City Rend and Adopted.
Yesterdays meeting of the Scranton
poor board was held at the Hillside
Home, and all directors, except Mr.
Shotton, were present. A thorough in
spection of all the buildings, outbuild-
ings and appurtenances Of the Home
was made and everything was found in
satisfactory and cleanly manner
The crops of the farm were found to
be growing excellently and showed at
tention and intelligent gardening. AT
the meeting the usual number OF
monthly bills were approved.
Mrs Frances b. Swan, w. s. Lang
staff, John Gibbons and Charles Tropr
went in carriages and Director Will
Jams and Secretary T.. ]. Lynett were
whirled on the fast train to Clarks
Summit and met at the station by SUI
perintendent Beemer's carriage. The
following report OF the committee ap-
pointed to visit the different charitable
institutions of the city, where children
are maintained at the expense of the
district, was presented by Mrs. Swan
and was adopted.
As to the Orphanagc.
The st. Patricks Orphan asylum. In
Hyde Park, Is a large, commodious
building, with sufficient ground sur
rounding 1t for open air exercises and is
admirably adapted for the purpose to
which it Is devoted. The committee
were shown through the entire building
and found the school rooms, play room
dormitories. halls and bath rooms well
lighted, we'll ventilated and in perfect
sanitary condition. The faculty hope
some time to add another school room
dining room AMI lavatories. The healthy
and contented appearance of the chill
dren give evidence Of the good care be-
slowed upon them. They are taught
five days in each week by sisters who
are deeply interested in their work.
There are at present 1875 children In the
orphanage. A large number Of these
are subjects of charity. The commit
tee had personal interviews with the
fifteen children, ten boys and five girls
who are at present charges upon the
district, and would recommend that the
entire number be retained in the or
phanage with the exception of the Nc
Mahon children, who should be inden-
tured to the institution. Too much credit
cannot be given to those who have
gratuitOusly given their time and ener-
gy in bringing this institution to such
high standard of excellence.
The Home for the Friendless Is con-
Quoted on a smaller scale, owing to
the lack of room. Their building is
entirely inadequate to its need, as there
are at present ten old ladies and thirty
one children domiciled therein. We
were conducted through the building
and found everything neat and clean
but the decaying tmbers and flooring
the narrow halls and crowded dormi-
tories are o. sad reflection upon the gen.
erosity of a public whose Golfers are
filled to overflowing. 1t Is a crying
shame that the only institution of its
kind in our city should be so retarded
in it's noble work from a lack of funds.
The children looked well and happy
and all who are of school age attend the
public school, while the younger ones
attend the kindergarten in the home.
Fortunately, in the summer season,
there Is a large yard where the chill
dren can enjoy the fresh air and sun
shine. There Is but one child in the
home at present who is a charge upon
the district. In both the orphanage
and Home for the Friendless the ply
sical, moral, spiritual and educational
interests are carefully guarded.
FOundliug Home Not Suitable.
At st. Josephs Founding Home we
found still more aggravated state of
affairs, as the building was originally
intended for private home and is lily
planned for the work. In one medium
sized room there lay ten very sick lit
tie babies, without q particle of ven
tilation, there being only one window
in the room, and 50 located that 1t could
not be opened. In very small room
adjoining, where the only light came
from window in the outside door, lay
four sick babies. 1t would be impossi-
BILE to expect anything but a heavy
mortality under such environments.
The committee saw six of the seven
children who are at present charges
upon the district there, Bridget Hoban,
q girl OF IA years not being present. We
were informed that she would no longer
be a charge upon the district.
The committee would recommend the
indenture of Michael LaNelle, Anna
Mcmahon, John Gibson, and that John
Croko be sent to some institution for
the instruction of the blind, so that he
may be taught to be self-supporting.
also that the resolution adopted by the
board to maintain the babies under Q
years of age at our homes, unless given
for indenture. be more strictly adhered
too ReSDect fIlly submitted