The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-17
LAST EDITION
4:15 O'CLOCK.
MORE LAW.
Horrors of Baby Farming
Set Forth.
The Annual Report of Agent
Charles H. Thurber.
Fourteenth Annual Meeting Of the
Friends Of Children.
Fourteenth Annual Meeting Of the
Friends Of Children.

The iath annual meeting OF the Rhode Island
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty 20 Chill
dren was held at Grace Church Chapel at 8
O'Clock this afternoon, and was called to order
by President Howard o. sturges. After the
election OF officers and the report Of the
treasurer had been gwen. Mr.. Charles II.
Thurber. the secretary. read his report,
when in brief was as follows:
at is n significant fact that the field OF work
OF this society is now under changed condi'
tions, and the instances of physical brutality
have, fortunately, become fewer. due TO the
rigid enforcement of the law.
"Insidiousiy, but with horrible certainty
rs our city grows more cosmopolitan. does
the destroying vice OF prostitution claim VIC
tims among the girls o: the present day. Yet
/ have the pleasure TO report most crafty
ing Improvement In one direction-that Of
vile dens. where formerly sos many children
were enspared. In 1894 II girls were removed
from such resorts. and "a others taken from
notoriously immoral companions. In 1896 but
two eases are recorded, which Is n source OF
qualification.
"Froquently during tho year just closed.
girls from IL to 10 years old have been roam
'ng the streets early and late at night. accost-
ing mon and hanging around public places.
and yet experience and sentiment convinces
me that the majority OF these waits are moro
sinned against than SHINING. Considering the
atmosphere in which so many Of these children
have been reared. ID can hardly be wondered
at that so much eirlbood goes astrsy.
Al believe il Is n blot upon this or any other
State that the laws entitlo girl TO give or
sell her virtue before she is old enough TO
transact the ordinary affairs OF lite without
tno aid OF legal guardian. fhc age of con-
sent has been raised from II to i6. but why
should IL not be further raised TO the age at
which girl may lawfully contract marriage
Of her own free willS Is not the law as it
stands putting premium on iiDmoralityf
sswe need here as in New York, a law pro-
hibiting young people from attending places
of amusement, unless accompanied by parent
or euardisp.
'sOur powerful ally. the public press OF Pro-
vidence. has become aroused at the present
idea of baby farming. and perhaps only in
this way can the public conscience be awak
ensd into demanding some needed legislation
on this subject. Numerous cases are re-
ported to this society. but only in few cases
can we act 10 advantage, and while our
hands are practically powerless through lack
of:lssislation. so long will helpless infants be
starved and drugged TO death in Rhode
Island. In ono farm / found six children
from to monthn old. and from another
took a puny 12moptbs-old baby.
s'statistically. in 1895. our new cases mum.
bersd I,ys. involving 2a7 children. OF these 9s
had incorporate fathers, the same number
intemperate mothers. rs had parent in
prison, and but nine were illegitimate chill
"a frapofarred IN snitahla hopaao Se
children, and prosecuted 35 casoe In the
courts of Rhode Island. Including cid cases,
we had 256 children under direct supervision
during the year
ssIt is essential that State agent should DO
appointed to look after the children placed in
homes and societies. Such an officer should
visit once in three or six months all institutes
for homeless or other unfortunate children.
not only to notice the condition of those
wards, but also the sanitary condition Of the
institutes. Several matrons advocate such
nm ofrcisl being appointed. and in this way
. complete record OF all children who are
given 10 the care OF others can be kept. and
be of great value,
~ believe that II pays To rescue these chill
dren. Though all cannot be- reclaimed, still
a large percentage Is turned from evil, and
while all cannot be wholly regensrated, tho
not loss IL smsll.
since our last annual meeting the follow.
ing members of the society have died: Mrs.
Truman BecKwith. Jecob Covington. Bailoy
w. Evans, George Mstcslf. Mrs. Lucretia
Peck, Robert W. Watson, Mrs. Jane W. Ken.
dali. Mrs. :. ID. Ames. Mrs. G.. r. Boon. Mrs.
John McAuslsn."
The secretary's report was favorahlv re-
eeived. and after few general remarks the
nesting adjourned.