The record-union., 1897-07-30
FOUNDLING HOME REPORTS.
ITS WORK DURING THE PAST
YEAR.
What the President, Secretary and
Matron Have to
Say.


ing results. The reports of the Presi-
dent, Secretary and Matron Of the IN
stitution, published below, tell Of the
work that has been done in the inter-
est Of abandoned infants and Of the
increasing demands of this most
worthy charity
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
To the Board Of Managers Of the
Sacramento Foundlings' Home, June
u, 1897: In looking back over the
course of a years progress in any un-
dertaking in which our hearts and
minds are deeply interested there must
always be an active sense Of dissatis-
faction for what has been done in the
light Of the much that we see about
US remaining still to do; for the ideals
that insure the success of all earnest
work must always be so far above what
may be accomplished. This is the first
thought that comes to us all this after
noon. I am sure, as We meet to re-
view the work of the last year in the
homing and care of these unfortunate
little ones.
1t is a year full Of encourag ragement,
however, and one that gives US hope
the seven years history of the Found
lings' Home is. with all it's struggles
and difficulties, full of noble accom-
plishment. Our annual records tell US
the sad number of babes and young
children that have found within its
shelter their only home.
The home is the growth of the need
that is born OF misery and poverty and
crime; it extends care and nurture to
the fOundlings and the abandOned-to
the tiny waits less than years old
that the orphan asylum cannot receive
and to the orphaned. We try in its
management to meet one of the great
est Of the social problems that as earn
est, helpful men and women we are
called upon to face in trying to pro-
vide a pure and rightful environment
for these little ones. We can never
exult in the number of children in a
foundlings home-the fewer the more
hopeful for the community-but we
can rejoice in our efforts to provide
for whatever number in our charge in
as far as possible the care and COM
fort of the home life that has been de-
MED them.
the Matron, Mrs. Nellie Clark, who has
officfated in the home for the last
year the home has enjoyed it's great
est prosperity, and the Board of Man
ayers cannot but feel deeply grateful
to her for the active part she has taken
in raising it to its present standard
that ranks it among the very best in
stitutions of it's character in the States.
Our Eastern visitors have been de-
lighted with the condition of our home
and have been warm in their praise of
the cleanliness and care that is every
where manifest in promoting the health
and welfare of the little ones.
Mrs. Clark has been most faithful to
her duties here, and the nobility of her
character, added to the sweet Christian
spirit that fills her heart, has endeared
her to every child and brought light
and happiness into their darkened
little lives, which must have a lasting
impression for good
We are also greatly indebted to Dr.
Reith for his keen interest and untir-
ing zeal in caring for the health of the
children. He has been in full charge
of them for over a year and has been
in almost daily attendance
From the other officers of the board
and from the Matron we will
now hear Of the active work that has
been done in the home in the last year;
of our financial standing; of the assist
ance we have received from without:
of the many Improvements within th~
home.
And now, in conclusion, let me urge
for the coming year renewed enthusi-
asm and earnestness from every one
of you. Let US keep close at heart the
nobility of our work, and by our hearty
and Jealous cooperation let each Of
US make the next year more prosper
Gus and richer in results than any of
the preceding.
MRS. L. DEMING, President.
Sacramento Founding Society. Mrs.
President, and Ladies of the Board: I
congratulate you on the successes that
have attended the home work of the
past year, although not without trials
it has been a pleasant one.
We have admitted during the year
SO; discharged, "a; sent out for adop-
ton, 4.
Shall tell you the condition they are
left at our door, with few exceptions.
Babies from the County Hospital are
always clean, comfortably clad.
brought in the daytime Others are
left on the doorsteps, some in the car
riage. One we found wrapped in an
old table cloth, another in an old shirt
mot even washed.
Most come with hereditary ailments.
which are fearful to contend with.
Some live few days, or months, and
die; do all we can for them. it is be-
yond the power of human skill to save
them. Now do you wonder or think
strange our babies die? During the
heated month Of July, 1896. many of
you VIII remember how extremely
warm it was; children dying all
around, we only lost two babies.
I know we have good and competent
nurses; our milk is pure as can be had,
and always sterilized by one person.
Since 1 have been in your home, for
this home belongs to you. or it ought
to. have been most vigilant with our
little ones. What a blessing the Sac
ramento Founding Home is to these
deserted, homeless chiIdrenl She opens
her doors and gives them a warm well
come, and trys to teach them the fun
damental principles of cleanliness,
truthfulness and love.
Our home is as pleasant and COM
Portable as most homes. The Lady
Managers have been to a large ex-
pense in finishing six large rooms on
the first floor, three dining-rooms, boy
reading-room, lavatory, kitchen, store
room, pantry, sleeping second
floor, have removed partitions to make