The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-02-13
THE ORPHANS HOME.

The eighth annual report Of the State
orphan asylum was received yesterday
by the secretary Of state from the State
printer and among the interesting data
found therein copious extracts are here
4vith given.
The board of trustees say:
First of all, and above all, n polytcch
mic school, where the children can be
trained and educated in the industrial
arts, is Of first Importance. OF the 2GO
children in the home, at least - Of them
are above the age of II years; and while
Colonel Workman and his wife do every
thing in their power with the facilities
Mt their command to teach the children
habits of industry, it is impossible, with
out the use of an institution as above
named, for them to accomplish very
much. These children are above the or
binary in intelligence and if arrange
Inents could be made to furnish them
with the proper training in the industrial
arts, many of them would become first
class men and women and useful citi-
Zcns to the State.
Socond-Thc hospital facilities are en-
fircly inadequate. In case OF an cpl,
slcmic of some contagious disease ii would
be utterly impossible to prevent the
spread of il throughout the entire insti-
tuition, the hospital being situated in one
of the dormitorics in one of the main
buildings. This is not only dangerous be
cause of contagion from disease, but il
is also very trying and annoying to sick
children to be so close to the noise ana
disturbances that 2GO children naturally
produce.
Third-A school house with Il chapel
room should be erected as early as can be
done to afford better educational faclli-
ties, and ut the same time provide place
for religious worship. The four school
rooms now used are in one of the main
buildings and these could be easily trans
formed into dormtorics which are now
9,adly needed, the institution being i'll
badly crowded condition. We desire also
10 join in Colonel Wortham's praise
of the school 1t is at present one of
the best conducted schools. we think, in
the country. The curriculum is
the same ms that of the pub
lie schools of the city of Corsi-
cana. The children have been graded,
and the teachers are pursuing the same
course of instruction as that pursued IN
the city schools, and the result already
manifesting itself in better discipline and
better lessons, though the schools were
only graded at the beginning of the pres
ent scholastic year.
Superintendent William a. Worhams
report among other things says:
It is desirable to make these homeless
children sclfsustaining in some depart
ment of industry, TO this end ! would
suggest that workshops be provided for
thc boys. Many of them would succeed
well as mechanics, merchants, etc. "A
kitchen where the girls could be taught
she art of cooking and general housckecp-
Sng would be an excellent addition. They
should also he taught the art of dress
making etc. This would enable them to
make a support for themselves when they
can no longer receive the fostering care
,lf the State.
Frequent applications are made by per-
sons who desire to give Il child home.
No child under II years of age is allowed
10 be taken away, only by adoption,
under the laws of Texas, except in rare
instances. and after the most careful in
,quiry as to the character and standing of
the person making application. In no in
stance will child be taken from the
Home except under conclusive proof that
the person taking it will give it the benc-
lit at least of the public free schools, treat
it kindly, and give it good moral train
ing.
In no instance, | believe, has mistake
been made in permitting children to be
adopted into families: on the contrary,
we rejoice that so many homeless child
rem are so happily situated with good peo-
pie who will care for them and raise them
with all the tender solicitudc of fond
parents.
We avail ourselves of the limited
means at our command to teach the chill
dren habits Of industry and economy. We
teach the boys farm work, the care of
stock, gardening. fruit growing. etc.
The girls are taught housewOrk sewing,
cooking, washing, dairy work, etc. We
encourage both the boys and girls all we
can to become efficient in some depart
ment of industry, so that after while
they will be prepared for honorable and
useful citizenship, and able to do some
thing for the State that took care of them
IN helpless childhood But this can only
be done to limited extent without the
additional facilities before mentioned
There are 260 inmates of the Home at
present.
BONDS REGISTERED
Yesterday Comptroller Finley register
oil Mn lDD worth Of dallas ,,,n,,, ,n,,,+