New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-10
STARTLING FACTS LAID BARE
HIDEOUS CONDITIONS PREVAILING |
COUNTY ALMSHOUSES.
APPALLING DISCLOSURES CONTAINED \
REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD OF

CHILDREN'S GUARDIANS
Elizabeth, Nov. 9.-The annual report Of u
Jersey State Board OF Children's Guards
has been made to Governor VOORHEES,. N
Emily E. Williamson. Of Elizabeth, chairmans
the Executive Committee Of the Board, MAJ
out the report, some Of the statements in whic
allege an almost incredible state Of affairs Ill
several Of the counties. notably. Buringt0
Salem and Essex. The report sets forth that u,
State Board Of Guardians has done all In r|
power to remedy the evils but its power n
stricted to caring for the children. Legislative
action must be taken to remedy the STATE a
affairs existing.
The conditions existing In some places are y
dreadful that the details were not given In as
annual report, but were reserved for the ~
pendix, which is to be furnished the Legislatg7
and which gives a detailed history each az
under the supervision of the State Board d
Guardians.
In the Burlington County almshouse the s1a
are permitted to mingle freely. and occuu
sleeping apartments in the same building. viii
only the width of corridor separating TIE
rooms Of the men from those OF the women. The
warden is incompetent 1t is declared. and has |
The report says among other things: "Our hry
duty was to inspect the children and investigate
their family history and homes This has been
done carefully and thoroughly. This inves'isa- |
ton has developed the fact that there were
many children who should never have oeel
made public charges, as they had parents and
relatives abundantly able TO care lot thsn
AS a result Of the preliminary investigation. III
children have been returned 10 their RELATIVES
These children would have continued 70 oe
charge upon the public funds lor an Nerss
period of five years, at an annual per capita "a
of at least 500. This initial operation "a .
therefore resulted in saving 10 the taxpaysn
OF fully $4,000. and is to the manifest ad'ah'as'
of the children themselves.
THE Investigations made by this Board sno'
"First-That large number Of children ioul.
their way to the amshouses whose parents WV
able to support them, and for whose supper. W
taxpayers money should not have been usea' a,
'Second-That the conditions In some Oh "
almshouses have actually resulted IN tne w. ~
denng OF the taxpayers with the support oI ms
climate and feeble minded infants. lor -""S
very creation the almshouse is responsible
"Third-The failure to educate in the A,ns
house schools Ninety per cent OF the cnla a'.
who have attended these schools can he'''
read nor write. :.
I'VE desire to call special attention 70 y
county reports, which show that 1t has pc
absolutely necessary for the state 10 ih'eF~
for the protection Of its wards A
The special report sets forth IN delaI
number of inmates, condition OF the dineIeA
stitutions and work done by the Board ID b. -
county. OF Burlington the report says 81.
berton Almshouse Sexes not separated u ~
ords show startling facts in regard TO M,s
innate births. Records imperfect boos ~
away from Almshouse" -. ~
OF Hudson County the following is SAID "a
April IA We began the investigation OF tne ~
dren in the Snake Hill Almshouse Two =.
dred and ffty-fve were examined ana tn se;,y
tories written from the records. Two num-.
and forty-eight OF these were in good ne'I
seven were diseased. Everything was aom ~
the Warden to facilitate our work ana II -
not been for the difficulties placed IN our 49,
by the Freeholders we should have py ,n'
placed all the normal children In homes -, A.
Salem County's almshouse called forth tns ~
lowing which, though couched in the ~. ~
language Of report. tells its own tae;
Number OF children In almshouse May .rs
Protestant. 3; number remaining In aim ss,-r
October l. 3; two babies. Two OF these cnl.
are in the almshouse with their mother We, We
hired by the County Committee. Boln snrsp
were born in the almshouse. Are llies"
One black and one white. ,.r
Bad as this showing is. the facts SCI ~ s
against Sussex County worse. Inc w
SAYS: "Branchvile Alsmhouse. Numos,.
children in amshouse May |. IL; BABY ps>
with mother by S. b O. G.. | indentured. - 80
Der remaining in almshouse OCTOBER l. L. ssus
minded. =: under three years, o. sexes I'D, ~,
rated Records show startling facts III ies s ssss
illegtimate births One mother. seVehuee ,nr;istt
OF age. with illegitimate child; feeble smart
mother twenty-seven years, with three " ~,
mate children. one colored. all born W as
house: mother. twenty-seven, mas hNeu "a NJ
house since she fourteen years , os.
three illegitimate children born In almsnouss.r s
The BOARD makes no comment on THESE 80 -
considering the bare statement
enough