The times., 1899-04-14
NO MONEY FOR THE oRPHANAeE
Appropriations Cannot BE Used for
Sectnrian Charities.

Herbert W. Lewis. District Superintend-
ent OF Charities, has written to the Dis
trict Commissioners regarding the support
OF certain children in the Church Orphan
age of st. Johns parish. After June /,
the superintendent states, the Board Of
Children's Guardians will be prevented
from using any of the appropriation for
the relief OF the poor as the orphanage is
a sectarian institution. The superintend-
ent has also rendered the services OF Hon.
]. w. Douglass and Mrs. Sarah S. Fuller
for the examination of the cases of the
children now in the orphanage. The let
ter of Superintendent Lewis is as follows:
There are two additional matters to which /
have the honor to call your attention in con-
nection with the enquiry OF Rev. DIR. Mackay-
Smith and Mr.. Hackett Crank VIZ as to what
arrangements be made for the support Of
certain children. now in the church orphanage
Of St. Johns Parish. for whom the orphanage
Association will be unable to provide after the
Both of June next:
First, 1t Will be recalled that Mr.. Hackett
asked what immediate disposition would be made
Of the children in case OF their commitment TO
the care OF the Board OF Chidren's Guardians,
and that / replied that under similar circurn-
stances heretofore the board had always returned
them TO the institution in which they had been
kept, 10 remain until provided with family
homes, either with parents Others, and that
il might be supposed that the board would pur-
sue the same in this case. After the close
OF our interview, however, i remembered the
fact that the question Of the authority of the
Board Of Chldren's Guardians 10 make any pay
ments from its appropriations to institutions
which under secizrian or ecclesiastical con-
troll, under existing law, was submitted TO the
accounting officers Of the Treasury last July, the
decision being that no such payment be
made The institution In question is dis
cussed. among others, under the title, "Sectarian
Institutions in the report Of the joint select
committee 10 investigate the charities and re-
bia and this classification seems TO have been
accepted as authoritative. 1t appears, therefore,
that, however desirous the board might be OF
returning 20 il any children committed from this
institution, the paying for their care, IL is pro-
hibited from doing The same prohibition
would apply 10 any allotment proposed to be
made by the Commissioners from the appropria-
tion of $4,000 for the relief OF the poor.
Second, since the close of our conference with
Rev. Dr.. Macksy- Smith and Mr.. Hackett have
been authorized to tender the services of John
". Douglass and Mrs. Sarah S. Fuller employees
Of the Board Of Children's Guardians, free Of
charge, for the examination OF the cases Of the
children now~st the church orphanage. Neither
Of these persons has had less than seven years
experience in working with dependent children,
and both are thoroughly familiar with all parts
OF the District, well as with the practice
OF the courts Of the District in matters pertain
ing to the commitment of children.
The Commissioners have notified DR..
Mackay- Smith and Frank W. Hacl:ett in
accordance with the letter Of Superinten-
den; Lewis.