The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-01-24
by your influence and ballots and see its
strict enforcement, that grandest of laws,
Prohibition.
\ Helping Hand.


The Maine Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union have had in operation for
some time department for securing
homes for homeless children. 1t is a
most interesting and useful work, in
which there should he general interest
in this state. Miss Harriet A. Leavitt of
this city. who has charge of this depart.
ment, gives to the Press the following
interesting statement in regard to the
work:
"ln 1891. the Womaa's Christian Ten.
perance Cnion opened new department
of work in Maine, that of securing homes
for homeless children. The object of
this depart ment is to extend Il helping
hand to every needy child in the state,
and 10 secure when possible, a home in
some private family for every homeless
child. Our work differs radically from
other child caring organizations in the
. state, in that we have no home spelled
with "A capital II, but we give our whole
strength to the carving ont of the fam
lily plan, or the finding of the cosy home
with the little h. for every homeless
child. We seek not to compete, but to
cooperate with existing institutions.
This department during the year end
in permanent private homes. Twelve
lave been placed temporarily III free
private homes. Eighteen have been
placed in institutions Within the state,
some fer good reasons as permanent in
mates; others only temporarily. sue
cessful hospital treatment has been So
cured for three children, and one child
has been sent from IA remote town 10 the
deaf mute school in Portland. At least
30 children have been permanently ben
Gifted, and many others temporarily as
sisted by the existence of This depart
ment.
"One-third of the children placed in
permanent homes were taken from aims
houses, for Maine still allows her de-
pendent children to become inmates Of
such Institutions. An expert on this
subject. in "A recent review, writes: 1t
i not necessary III this time to describe
all the consequences of compelling chill
dren to live in panper atmosphere. with
feebe-minded adults as playmates aud
nurses, and for teachers. physical and
moral wrecks, who have sqHandered
their substance in riOtous living. For
that Wretched system no one now stands
an apologist. We all agree that il was
and j.. and always must be, bad, un-
qualiiedly bad.
AS far "a possible, the superintendent
of this department will gladly assist
oVerseers of the poor and seleeincn in
providing suitable homes for the children
thrown upon their towns.
In addition to removing children
from almshouses, We have prevented
many from entering such institutions.
More than one letter like the following
has received "a helpful answer: The
baby is II bright little fellow, aud the
older sister dear little girl. These lit
tie children are homeless, and when
think how the mother lived and died for
others, | feel that some door will open,
if only for her sake, for her children.
Please remember these little moherless
children, and do all you can to find "A
home for them.
'tl'his work has been started by the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
but it concerns every individual in
Maine. and we peed your nelp. Our
want column is like that OF every other
child-caring institution. We need
friends, money, homes Has not some
.eader of This article n home to offer
some homeless child, or something to
contribute to this work?
"MOnev contributed to this depart
meDt will not go into the general fund
of ;he Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, but will be devoted exclusively
10 this work"
Miss LeaVitt whose address is No. IL
Congress street, This city, invites cores
popdcnee from all who would wish to
know more of this work. PoHioHd
Press