The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-13
A GOOD WORK GOING ON.

The movement on foot in this city to
conduct a May festival in aid of the
Children's Friendly Society is one that
deserves we'll Of this community. These
are works in which neither creed, faith
nor belief enter, save that broad faith
that stands by the right of children to
a fair show in the world, and to grow
up safe from assaults upon their human
rights.
The simple fact is that for long time
there has been neglect in this city of
work carried on in every considerable
community of the country, namely the
prevention of cruelty to children. 1t is
lamentable, but it is true, that there
is necessity for such organizations, and
still more lamentable, but equally true,
that where philanthropic provision is
not made for the prevention of out
RACES upon children, vice crime, cum
ming, acquisitiveness, greed and animal
natures prey upon little ones.
These assaults are not alone upon the
children of the poor, the orphan child,
and the child Of neglect and shame, but
uphappily they are made even in the
& most carefully guarded homes, and
cheat most solicitous parental care.
Hence it is that the laws of many OF
the States strongly invite the peopI,
to organize such societies to make q
special feature OF enforcing the laws
relative to offenders against children's
right
This is not wholly unselfish OIL
the part Of the State, because II
is found TO be cheaper to pre-
vent than to punish crime; bet
ter to rescue than reform: better to
save in time than to snatch back afte1'
injury has been done. Society in it,;
own interest and for its own preserva-
ton, therefore, has organized just such
agencies as that referred to in this city,
to afford it some protection, while a.
the same time showing mercy to help
less little ones, suffering under the de-
signs of vice, the neglect of natural
protectors, or from unhappy and de-
basing environment.
This is no new thing Such societies
are of long standing. and as a rule they
have proved TO be worthy the reposs
of that public confidence that perfect
faith and trust should give Probably
the great New York society of this orr
der Is the best known i'm tire world.
in ITpD al
such institutions, one which we call to
mind is Barbados Night and Day Rescue
Work. given to saving waits from con
1itions that, if continued. would surely
lead them TO woe and vice.
In California, however. the work OF
E rhildrens societies is divided into or
phanage work. the rescue work. the
oundling homes, the reformatories. and
he punishment of offenders against the
sisht~ef children to- be grown up 10
maturity decently, and the right to he
f value to society. and incidentally TO
se saved from debasing environment
ven when there is no personal Of
snder. OF the latter order is the Sac
9ntntO society. II mas Dtent OTkair
ed less than a year but has uncov-
red conditions in that time that very
w suspected had any existence in this
~. To say that these conditions are
eplorable puts it so mildly as. to be
eak. But they cannot. perhaps, with
ny profit to society, be properly char
cterized in public print.
The Record Union" believes that the
fort on foot to put the local society
a sound financial basis is one that
ill honor every man and woman and
mild who lends it any kindly assist
nee. Therefore, let the society have
ne aid ii calls for. Besides. it is be-
coming rather an embarrassing cues
Ion whether Sacramento is proceeding
Properly in sending its rescued children
other societies in other communities
, be supported and trained. Such a
sstem should not long continue. We
eed, and should have, either refuge