The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-01
TO The RESCUE.
Kansas Association OF Charities
Begins Work.
Working to Divorce State Insti-
buttons From Politics.
BLACKMAR'S ADDRESS.
Calls Attention to Need Of Work
In Kansas s
Reform is the WatchwOrd of the
Organization.
BLACKMAR'S ADDRESS.

Both In interest and work the man
ayers of the Kansas Association OF Cor
rections and Charities, although 1T is
less than a. year old, have been success
full. The first annual meeting of the
association held at Representative hall
last night presented an excellent enter
tainment to a large and interested
audience. The spectators comprised the
leading citizens of Topeka, which is an
indication that the reforms which TINS
organization proposes are being thought
about and discussed by those who have
so long watched the abuses which nave
characterized the dealings with the
states wards and the unfortunate class
es of people dependent upon public or
private charities.
Music by the High School Mandolin
club;a vocal solo by Miss Laura Gillette
constituted the variations from the
programme of papers, which was open
ed by Prof F. w. Blackmar, of Law
renee, president of the state assoc1a-
ton This was followed by strong
address by Governor Stanley and the
feature of the evening the illustrated
lecture by Hastings G. Hart of Chicago,
secretary of the national association OF
corrections and charities. Mr.. Harris
subject was 1.-The Child Movement" and
his lecture was very entertaining. The
Illustrations were particularly effective
Mr.. Harris compliments concerning the
success of the Kansas association were
very f1attering to the ofncers. Mr.. Hart
expressed the opinion that the Kansas
association, organized last May, is now
far ahead in it's work of the aSSocla-
tons in many other states, which have
for years been organized and at work.
In discussing the objects for which
this society is organized, President
Blackmar referred to the fact that thou
sands of people in Kansas, as in other
states, are asking the question whether
the hundreds of thousands of dollars
spent annually for charity and correc-
lions are spent wisely and whether it
has a tendency to decrease pauperism,
crime and degeneracy and If 1t is pos
sfble to improve our present methods.
Prof. Blackmar stated that the present
movement was due to the first message
of Governor Stanley, (which contained
lofty and humane ideas and plans for
the management Of these affairs in Kan
saS. No other message has had quite
the decisive ring and the earnestness
of purpose as this message of Governor
Stanley"
Prof. Black1nar discussed three meth
DDS of caring for the helpless and
vicious:
First-Leaving it to private support
Second-Under the management and
support of the state.
Third-To place 1t under control of
the state with the help of private Or
ganization.
fact that the first has been largely sup
planted by state control, which is bet
ter than private management, although
each has its defects. ''The state, SAID
L.
and vicious for the same reason that the
city builds a sewer, paVes a. street, or
establishes a quarantine-for the gen
eral welfare or to protect the public.
The chief danger in the management of
the charitable institutions is that of cold
forma1ity or the degeneration of the
service into machine-liEe process con-
trO1led by political motives.
1.-THE union of all charity workers into
one Co operating body will keep from
waste. It viii make common purpose
for US all. Such an association ought to
awaken an intense interest in the charl-
table and correctional affairs of the
state and among all citizens and tax
payers. 1t ought to arouse an enthuS-
iaSm for the support of our institutions
and for a watchful care over their meth
DDS and conditions. 1t should have the
influence of eliminating the effects of
partisan politics from the management
of our institutions by insisting that so
far as possible persons with scientific
training, preparative and adaptive shall
have control and management of the
wards of the state. And, that these per-
sons shall be appointed and retained on
account of their superior service and
should not be discharged except for in
competency or bad conduct
1.-The members and workers OF this as
ISOLATION do not believe in organizing for
the sake of organization or reform for
the sake of reform They believe that
there is a definite work to do and if we
can not do it the association should dis
solve and disband. When an organiza-
ton created for a specific purpose has
no working force and not sufficient mo-
mentum to run the wheels of it's own
machinery its services are valuelesS- Tt
is hoped and expected that this aSsocia-
ton will increase in power, service and
efficiency until it becomes an indispen-
sable agency for good in the state"
The association will continue in ses-
sion today, the election of officers taking
place at the close of the afternoon meet
ing. Professor Blackmar will be re-elect-
ed president.