The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-07

not acJeQ upon, lC DelOg deferred 4OI az
ton at the next meeting
AT 1915 the Board adjourned.
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES,
They Met Last Night at the Capital,
and Listened to a Most Encouraging
and Interesting Report From Secre-
tary benson, The Members viii To-
day Inspect Number of State Insti-
tutiOns Located Here--S30O, 900
Spent Annually.
The Board of Public Charities of North
| Carolina convened at the Capitol yester-
day afternoon; present, Messrs. Chas.
Duffy, NJ. D. (Chairlnan), of Newbern,
L. j. Haughton, of Pittsboro, W. N.
Jones, of Raleigh, S. W. Reid, Of Steel
Greek, Mecklenburg county, and @. b.
benson, Secretary.
The session was occupied in the read
ing of the report of the secretary, and in
the appointment of committees to dis
charge various duties. The report en-
braced many subjects, including brief
but exact statement of the condition and
management of the county homes and
jails and work houses in So counties re-
porting since the last meeting. Also an
account was given of the improvements
in progress in the several State institu
tions. The interests of the orphan, the
young prisoner, the veteran, the deaf
and dumb and blind were considered.
Some details Of proposed reforms were
also discussed tor example, this para
graph:
'fOf the 63 counties reported, the
county homes are reported as good in
AZ, indifferent in 6, and positively bad
in 2. But of these counties are with
out Homes. OF the same, IL have good
jajls, well managed, are reported in
different, and positively bad. Several
are without jails, on account of destruc-
ton by fire. If the remaining third of
may congratulate ourselves upon the
great change since October, 1889, when
this reorganized board began its labOrs,
but more specially the upon alienation
effected within thel last few years, since
the Inauguration or more active lnspeC
ton and constant correspondence with all
authorities responsible for the condition
and management of the Institutions.
More than two thirds are now in fairly
good order, and certainly one half are Of
such grade as to be fairly representative
of an enlightened people.
sBnt it is to be feared that a consider
able number Of those not reported are
not favorable subjects, and much patient
and persistent labor and constant and
uuwearied correspondence must ensUe
before we reach the day Of perfect obedi-
ence to our own statutes requiring the
security, health and comfort" of the
prisoner.
Some counties fail to report the num-
Der of inmates at the home, and others
omit the number Of those receiving out
side support But in those reporting,
there are 757 persons in county homes.
Adding fifty per cent. to this for one
third Of the counties unreported, with
Others omitted, we have about LOO
persons in these homes. The number
receiving outside support from county
funds is reported at 1901, but cannot
be less than 1000 from the whole.
About @l2, 900 is paid out monthly for
food alone, or nearly $4,000 annually,
besides the large amounts for clothing,
bedding, buildings and repairs, fuel and
lights, salaries Of officers, medical ex-
penses, funeral expenses, care Of the
county insane, etc; and it cannot be
less than an equal amount of $4,000,
making about a third Of a million dollars
annually.
Legal gentlemen of experience say
that another third Of million is con,
sumed in criminal trials, and the main
tenance OF prisoners in jails and work
houses.
"Most potent arguments are these for
the diffusion of education, and the con-
troll of the young offender, before he be-
comes the hardened criminal, and leaves
behind him a worthless progeny to fill
the county house and the Jail p
The report is lengthy document, upon
our social condition and its needs, and
was not only adopted, but on motion of
Commissioner Reid, the thanks of the
Board were extended to the Secretary
The services of the Chairman, DR.. Chas.
Duffy and of the resident member W. N.
Jones, ESQ are especially referred to in
the report.
To day the Board will proceed to in
spect q number of the State institutions
located here. An eminent statesman re-
Gently declared that no more valuable
work is being done for the good of the
State, and welfare of the people.
REMAINS or MALVERN PALMER
They Passed Through the City Yester-