The Jersey City news., 1899-03-02
GUARDIAN BILL ASSA|LED.
children's Home Society Oh
iects to its Provisions
Trading Stamp
Hearing.
rcneo;a1 to ..Tbe Jersey city News."l

rP.ENTON. March q 1S99.-Mrs. Emily
w,lliamsons pet bill for the appointment
of a state Board of Guardians for poor
and friendless children, was riddled by
hot shot. Yesterday, before the House
Committee on Miscellaneous BUSINESS.
LAWYER John Sykes read an argument
prepared by ex-Judge William Lannlng.
His first objection to the measure was
that it wipes out the county boards pro-
pnsed in last years act and centralizes
the power of the State board. This
would entirely wipe out county govern
ment of the children. The next obJec-
tion was that it imposed the burden OF
expenses on counties and municipalities
at a minimum cost of $1.50 per child per
week without naming any maximum
sum. Though the expense is imposed
upon municipalities, the State board mas
exclusive power to place children and to
fix the cost The board is to have exclu-
sive say as to the disposition of children
and the proposed law would mean tax
alton without representation"
Another Objectionable feature of the
proposed law was that it proposed TO SUD
iect all children placed in families to visi-
tation by the State Board thus destroy
ing the domestic relations between the
child and the family with which 1T IS
placed. The matter of bringing children
from childhood to manhood, he said, was
not A matter of State machinery; 1T is
done best through home influence. IT
the board visits the child quarterly it
would destroy that domestic relation
which would otherwise exist.
The measure was further objection
able. Mr.. Sykes said, because it would
impose a heavy expense upon the State
II would impose an expense OF $6O,oot
upon the State, admitting that the board
keeps down to the minimum price. This
was an expenditure by the State for work
which is being done already by voluntary
contribution. Then, again, there is nc
limit to the amount of expense which the
state board might put upon the State
The board is to serve without compen-
sation other than their expenses. It was
only fair to presume that this board woulc
act within reasonable bounds, but there
was nothing in the proposed law to limi
the board in the amount of its expendf
lures.
In concluding, Mr.. Sykes said the pro
uosed law would create governmental
paternalism which was very objection
| able. Such a paternalism cannot posi-
bly, produce the same relation to the chilli
that the foster parent, adopting the chil'
| into his home. sustains.
DR.. David Warman spoke next. q
| said that at the minimum allowance tn
hoard Of the dependent children in tn
state would be $31,2O0 to which woul
be added the expenses Of burials. the ex
nenses of the Board of Guardians, etc,
etc. SO that it would be very easy to Sc
| how the amount would go up to NOR
! than $50. 900. DR.. Warman said this ex
pense was nothing as compared to wha
! it would be in a few years. There are
he said. upwards of 5000 children now i
j charitable institutions in the State
/ Many Of these were being supported b
relatives. but as soon as it was discover
4 ed that the State would pay the board 9
the children there would be wholesai
turning Of them over to the State. Thi