The record-union., 1899-06-06

ramento Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children was held last even
ing in the rooms of superintendent of
Schools Erlewine. President Van Nor
den presided. The report of Special
Officer Healy for the month of May
showed nineteen cases handled They
were all much of the usual order. In
two cases drunken mothers required the
intervention of the society to secure
better homes for helpless little ones. In
two cases hayward boys We're returned
to their homes and two others who were
running beyond parental control We're
disposed of in institutions for reforma-
ton Of youth. In two cases hayward
girls were reported as having been
placed under restraint. There was one
case Of brutal criminal assault upon a
very young girl the arrest of the Of
fender and his commitment for trial.
In one case the complaint was found
groundless and in another poverty, not
cruelty, was the root of the trouble.
The annual report compiled from the
records of the late Secretary, Rabbi
Simon, by Assistant Secretary Miss
Maud Wood, proved a very interesting
document 1t paid a high tribute to
the President as an executive officer
of firmness, gentleness, self possession.
clear judgment, and all the qualities
necessary for such a difficult office. 1t
likewise recognized the signal ability
of Special Officer Healy and advised
his retention in place.
1t also paid a high tribute to the late
Secretary, Rabbi Simon. Statistically
it made comparisons Of society years
to show, not increasing moral depravity
in the county, but that the society is
working more effectively and espec-
tally that it's deterrent influence is even
more effective for good than its act
ual accomplishments in specific cases.
1t rec mmended laie suspension of sixty
five members for non-payment of dues,
If, after one more notice, they express
no desire to remain. The following
extracts are taken in full from the re-
port and will prove of special interest
to large number of people who are
maintaining the society by regular
samf-annual gifts of money:
THE society statistics show that in
1897 we had 122 cases reported de-
manding our Acknowledgement or in
quiry. In 1898 the number swelled to
206, whereas in the past year we have
had 304 cases. In 1897 the children in
volved in the cases were ISL, in 1898,
206, while to date for the twelv emonth
past there have been 45S. In each of
the preceding years 1897 and 1898 we
had before court IT cases, but in the
last year we had before the authorities
no less than 81.
In 1897 we secured eight convictions;
in 1898 about the same number, but in
the past year thirty. In 1897 we re-
turned to parents nineteen children and
the same number in 1898, but in the
past society year we restored to paren-
tai care 104 children.
In 1897 We placed in different insti-
tutions eighty-two children in 1898 but
sixty, while in the last year We placed
20. In 1897 We rescued $50 children
from vice, restitution and bad environ
ment, the larger percentage being per-
manent reclamations we have reason to
believe.
In 1898 we rescued 152, but in the So
: ciety year just closing we rescued 275,
and We know with fair certainty that
the greater number, say 20 or so per
cent, are permanent reclamations.
Coming to comparative showings Of
receipts and expenses including the
money received from the benefit picnic
and from generous souls who give US
annual contributions according to a
subscription system devised by Pres.-
dent Van Norden and most largely car
ried out by him, we have this to re-
port, namely: That in 1897 our re-
ceipts from all sources were 50, 1876
This includes the beneficiary fund from
the picnic. In 1898 the receipts, MAIN
1y from dues and fines, We're S504. 40.
In the past year, which takes in the
major part of the subscription dona-
tions, the receipts have been 81 ,626 90
Since that figure was ascertained Off
Ger Healy has collected and paid in on
the subscription system for the year
ST, making a new total of 81 ,697 90.
Our expenses in 1897 were 1886 10 in