Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-24
THE 5. ?. 0 Q.
Communicated.

OOmmunC1lcu.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children, which was held recently,
evidenced the fact that the society has
lost none of its activity. Through sum
mer's heat and winters cold, the in
vestigations 60 quietly on, resulting
sometimes in warnings and sometimes
in correction of reported abuses. The
Office is now located in the Smith x
Painter Building, with an entrance on
Seventh street.
Somewhat removed from the current
OF travel, and, perhaps, q little incon-
spicuous by reason OF this fact, the
society nevertheless, is there, and is q
potent factor in the detection and
prompt adjustment Of offences com
mitted against children. The city
would be poorer place, if such an
organization were not in existence.
The maintenance Of the society, there
fore, becomes question in which all
who love humanity, as expressed in
childish forms, should be interested.
Strange to say, with but two OK
ceptions, the S. p. G. G. has never
been remembered by legacies, while
the society closely affiliated to it, the
s. II. g. A., has been frequently bone
| flied by requests. Does this mean that.
to the average mind, animals are dearer
| than children and tho woes of the
former are more quickly responded to
| than are the distresses Of the latter?
| Such can not be the case. Tho reason
must be found elsewhere.
Working under the laws of the State,
one would naturally suppose that the
society received sufficient State aid to
enable it to prosecute its work with
vigor and with thoroughness. In part
| this is true.
Tho appropriation from the State,
received, as a rule every two years, is
very inadequate and dues of members
have to be relied upon to supply the
working capital. The statement last
presented by the treasurer, Mr.. S. X.
Smith, showed in his possession, a
bulance of 800, after monthly bills
were paid No immediate relief is at
hand, and, with legislative aid not yet
available and county aid withheld, the
question of curtailing the usefulness OF
the society must be considered.
Mention should here be made of q
legacy of $500 which, by the will Of
Mrs. Mary NJ. james, recently de.
ceased, becomes the property of the
fsociety. For this gift, Bishop Coleman
in resolution, expressed his gratefu
appreciation and ELECTED similar senti
ments from all present. OF this sum
the interest, alone, is available. While
this gift is "rift in the Clouds" it
nevertheless, can only go so far il
meeting the emergency.
The society is the friend of children
and particularly of friendless ant
! abused children, Of which Wilmington
has considerable number. Durin.
the last month "a cases of cruelty
neglect and misbehavior were reported
: and investigated. Among this numbe
were some cases OF incipient Maynard
l ness which might, but for the inter
: position of the society, have develops
/ into the commission of crime. 1t will
reward any one for the effort he ma
make, il he will visit the rooms Of tn
4 society and consult the records. Gu
: good people have away of sayin
9 ''There is society to attend to tina
work and consequently it will
/ done. +" But the society in question
a not immortal nor -perpetuating an
i consequently must be provided wiz
4 the munitions Of war.
. What steps the finance committe
will take to meet the existing lack ,
funds, the writer does not know. b,
1t the facts are as stated. The prcsiden
= Mr.. Lindley G. Kent, or the treasure
J, Mr.. S. K, Smith, would find the
% anxiety considerably lightened and Il
!, future usefulness of The society assured
/ il those who see this article wou
resnond to the claims which neglectt
and ill-used children make upon Their
/. The, society is the! medium throut
IS which wrongs against humanity in hel
10 less, childish guise, may be redresse
,e Do not let the Society for the Pr
'. vention OF Cruelty to Children long
IS suffer for funds with which to perfor
', its work.