The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-01-16
HAS DONE SPLENDID WORK.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION
OF CHILDREN.
a Fine Showing Made by the So
ciety's Report for the Past
Year.


Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children has just appeared IN
pamphlet form, and is an interesting
document The opening pages very
clearly set forth the aims and objects
of the society and the lines upon which
1t works, and very explicitly states that
1t is not an association for informed
ding, but for the purpose of securing
enforcement of the laws defining the
rights of children, and the rights OF
society in general in having children
brought up to good citizenship, Tree
from assault by crime and corruption.
1t is declared that it asserts it's au-
thoritv only in cases where legal and
moral obligations and duty fail, to the
injury of the physical and moral well
fare of children, and only then when
the law fully justifies interference.
The statistical pages show the work
of the society for something over one
wear since it was Incorporated. Its
receipts in ordinary course We're to
July l. 1897, S505 40, and the disburse-
ments were 1886 20. In addition it
received net from the May festival
1915, and it is paid by the Trustees
of the city $50 and by the Supervisors
Oh Tie COuHly Cd IllOlllli lOI pdI(
payment of duty by the special officer,
Daniel Healey.
Secretary Simon's report shows that
the society received I'D complaints up
to July LIST, and up to November 10,
1897, us complaints. 1t has investi-
gated 120 cases, while 20 were found
unworthy and the remainder have been
adjusted or are pending. These COM
plants We're sometimes Implications.
They involved 1S1 children and %
adults. The society benefited and re-
lieved 12S children, had Il cases in
court ard secured s convictions.
Some of the statistical showings are
novel. Thus, it is shown that the So
ciety compelled the parties in two
cases to marry; it returned to guard
ians, parents or new homes 10 chill
dren, referred to local charities 10 and
placed in asylums and institutions for
care of youth 33 children.
Besides these it assisted 60 other
children in various ways for their bet
terment. 1t rescued 26 children from
houses of ill-repute, % from vicious
associations, % from neglect, starvation
and failure to protect and provide; 10
from Incorporate parents, 10 from
physical cruelty, 10 from poverty
where the parents were not responsible,
Z from rape, 2 from abduction, from
begging. , from unnatural acts, and
43 others unclassified, but from opium
dens. the clutches of procurers and
procure ses, etc.
1t acted in securing two guardian
ships, Involving three children. Con-
victed parties prosecuted by the society
suffered in this manner: One paid a.
fine of $50; one went to prison for
four years; two to jail for sixty days
each, one TO State Prison for ten years,
one To jai! for three months, and one
forfeited 500 bail to the county.
The force of the society consists of
SOU members, it having started with
is. It has lost one by death and two
by removal
Ten cases are briefly described as
typical of the kind of work the So
ciety has to do. One page is given UP
TO an index or guide to all the laws of
the State, under which the society can
act These are, in all. thirteen distinct
Acts in the statutes and provisions in
the codes.
Forms Of requests or devfses are
given as suggestive to those who may
be moved to remember the society by
VIII, or TO donate il either personal
property or real estate. Treasurer
Erlewine's report corresponds as to re-
ceipts and expenses with that of the
Secretary. The present officers of the so
ciety are named on the last page, and
they are: President, DR. Charles Van
Norden; First Vice President, Mrs. C.
+. Parsons; Treasurer, o. w Erlewine;
Secretary, Rabbi Abram Simon: Direc-
tors, Charles Van Norden, Mrs Par
sons, Mr. Erlewine, Rev. A. c. Herrick,
Mrs. Frank Gray, Mrs. A j. John
ston- Two pages Of the pamphlet are
given up to a condensation OF the an
nual report Of the First President. Rev.
Mr.. Herrick, and a fly leaf catalogues
the officers of the society for the first
wear