The morning times., 1896-09-23
WHERE REFORM IS NEEDED
Lax Laws In Force Concerning
Abandoned Children.
THEIR EFFECT DISCUSSED
Trustees of Industrial Home School
Make Their Report for the Past
Fiscal Year-WOrk of Institution
Since It's Origin-Its Financial Ex-
hibit-Outlo0k for the Future.

the fiscal year ending June SO. 1896, just
given out 10y Col. John Tracey, superin,
tendent OF Charities, the board OF manage
fneDt makes some suggestions respecting
The lax laws In force in the District in the
matter OF abandoned children and the re-
spoDsibility OF parents as 70 their future
support.
prevailing custom OF receiving chhdIen
without investigation as to the ability
or their parents TO provide for their mainte-
nance, at least in part.
The committee oD reception and place
ment OF children says:
When nuptial ties are severed by di-
vorce. the payment OF alimony is part Of
The decree, ana why should not analogous
practice be followed when voluntary rupture
or welded contracts ensues, or when the
family union is violently or corruptly
severed?
PARENTS SHOULD PAY.
''lf 1t becomes the practice, in such in
stitutions as ours, 10 adopt children aban-
doned, without calling parents 10 account,
IL follows, as matter OF course, that in
effect, such evil acts are in a measure sup
ported and encouraged. Not Only are pub
lie expenditures being thus most unJustly
drawn upon, but the essential rules OF
morality ANA religion are openly violated
The cominIttee believes III having inves-
tgated every application for admission OF
Il child 10 charitable Institutions.
The police sLould be gwen power to
learn all tile facts, and -uch a course it
is thought, will prove to be salutary in
checking existing evils. While aSylums Tor
the helpless should be Iostered, the CON-
mIttee believes no encouragement should
gwen for the dismemberment of iamily
relations.
practices as are IN vogue here are cited
as examples OF what should be enforced
IN the District :.
lie nealln OF the Ch ilEren is said to have
been excellent, IN partial proof OF which
1t is stated that there has been but one
ceath IN the home during the seven and one
half years the present superintendent has
been I'D charge. That death was due to
drowning.
Two public schools are maintained upou
the grounds, and the children are IN daily
atteudance, except when prevented by
illness.
FREE FROM BIAS.
The institution is entirely free from
seclarian dominance or eccicsiastcal COLI
troll. Friends, lsraelites, Unitarians, Epis-
copdiians, Methodists. PresbyterlaDs and
other denominations have been represented
on the board OF management
No sect distinction is recognized In the
appointment of either teachers or the
acquisition OF scholars, and religious in-
struction is confined to points OF doctrine
and practice about which there is no
dispute among Christians.
The Institution dates its organization
from Thanksgiving Day, 1857, when the
poor and destitute children OF Georgetown
and vicinity were brought together at
dinner given by benevolent people in the
Market Street Presbyterian Chapel in
that city.
ITS HUMBLE ORIGIN.
The names, ages and places OF residence
OF l4I children were tnen registered, anu
made for Il meeting Oh the
Monday, when forty children
aud were enrolled as pupils, both
boys and girls being at 1irst employed at
sewing and Intending.
From this beginning the present institu-
ton dates, and from voluntary contribu-
lions as means OF support, / t has develop
ed into school wholly maintained by the
go overnnent.
The object OF the school 1 $ to educate aud |
maintain destitute children OF both sexes, |
Prepare them for future usefulness, and
,btain for them situations where they
EAU earn living, or to place them in |
ZONES where they are each adopted as |
members of the family. IL
The total number cared for last year was |
33. or these, thirty-five were discharged |
ourtecD being returned to friends; fifteen |
obtained situations or homes, and six re- |
'urDed to board of children's guardians
The total number cared for since the organ
zation OF the school is ,426
There is demand for admission beyond |
The capacity OF the building, Vice President |
wilson says, as the institution can care for |
10 greater number than is now enrolled, |
LOG.
THE FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
The total receipts and expenditures dur
ng the past year are stated to be: Receipts, |
81 4, 5000; disbursements, S14.142 20,
eaving balance of 1927 in the treasury. !
rhe per capita cost Of maintenance per an
'um was $131.O4.
The total of the salaries paid is 81 ,931.
heteachers and employees having their hoard
md lodging in addition to the regular
The report of the institution contains this
lauSe:
'UDder the incoming regime there is much
o be hoped for. With the strong arm OF
he government to back it, the school has
sure foundation, and 1T needs only the |
.arncst, thoughtful. concentrated efforts of
II connected with ito have it expand into
school of industry worthy of the National
,apital"
Osborne 4, HOban (lvstor.