The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-11

sIder Certain Specialized subjects
The half-thousand delegates who are at
tending the National Conference of Char
tiles and Correction are well started in
with their work In the thoroughly prac-
tical manner which has characterized the
successful administration of the public
charities in which many of them are en-
gagged, they are considering the numerous
and vexatious problems which confront
the worker of modern affairs philan-
thropic
Two well attended and interesting ses-
sions of the conference were held yester-
day. The meeting at Foundry NJ +.
Church last night was especially interest
Ing and dealt with a topic of widespread
import, the care of destitute and neglect
ed children. Two addresses were deliv-
cred, the first being by Amos w Butler,
Secretary Of the Board of State Charities
of Indiana, and the second BY Charles r.
Henderson, professor of sociology in the
Chicago University.
Mr.. Butler was introduced by John NJ.
Glenn, of Baltimore the President of the
conference. His address was the report
of the Committee on Destitute and Neg
lected Children, and was general review
OF the evolution of the charities which
now care for so many homeless juveniles
At the beginning of the nineteenth cen
tury. he said. there was but one refuge
for destitute children in this country, the
Orphans Home in Charleston. S. c. Be
fore that time private institutions had
been in existence. the earliest established
one probably being that in Sew Orleans.
He spoke of the horrible treatment ac-
corded the young then. They were often
bound out to hard and cruel masters.
The youthful offender was cast into the
same cell with the hardened criminal.
Later on the almshouses began to open
their doors TO children. but Ii was not
until 1866 that Ohio led the way to better
things by providing for the care of desti-
tuue Children in county childrens homes.
From time to time since then other
States have followed this example. OF
the various excellent systems of caring
for the neglected young he cited those
providing for their care in private insti-
tutions at public expense or in a single
State institution. or in local county and
intercounty homes supported at public
expense. or in being boarded out at stipu-
lated rates. and their confinement in re-
form schools. here are only seven States
and Territories in the United States which
do not support almshouses. In conclusion
Air. Butler said that the past century had
been one of contest with the forces of
nature and predicted that the coming CEN
tury would be one of combat with the
existing evils of society.
Prof. Henderson then delivered an ex-
tremely forceful and clear address on the
subject of ''The Neglected Child of the
Neglected Community" He said that one
of the main faults with the child of the
la
much He did not have room to play
He told of the opening of the vacation
schools in Chicago and how the children.
on the hottest days. clamored to be ad-
mitted 10 these schools, the idea Of which
was much nearer the heart of Froebel
than most modern educational methods.
One especially interesting point of his
address concerned the juvenile court
where all cases OF a mild nature, such as
truancy from school, are tried. No one
but boys ana girls are tried in this court.
and there is very little Of the taint of
crime or law about it. I'VE 90 this"
said Prof. Henderson, Ito get rid Of the
idea that a child is capable of a crime.
Save the child and you will save the fu-
ture. You can't build enough reform
schools to hold all the children who come !
from the great cities You can measure |
these children of the slums and you win |
trace back the results to bad social con- |
ditions for years past.
'@The condition of the neglected COM /
nunity will undergo a transformation
1nly whsn the people of that community
undergo a transformation No one can
help the people of the slums but them
selves. But they won't tske the first step
themselves. We are doing a great wrong in
w1as.a Hpr-
am a believer in the psychic change and
n this case think the change should be-
gin with the elect. God will call you and
me to account if we do not improve the
neglected community"
Prof Henderson's address was heartily
applauded and was discussed by various
members Of the conference. among whom
were Homer Folks. L. p BickneIl. of Chi
-ago, and others
At the opening Of the meeting last night
an invitation was read which requested .
he members OF the conference to attend {
he reception in honor Of Cardinal Mar
-lneill. which will take place at the Catho-
ic University Monday afternoon. Robert
Treat Paine. of Boston. moved the ac-
,eptauce Of the invitation saying that he
was glad to accept the hospitality of
Catholic gentlemen coming as he did from
he rock-ribbed Puritan State Of Alassa-
;husetts."
The only meeting of general public in
iesl at the morning session was that
y tAe section on Needy Families IN
Ihelr Homes, which was held in the
nam nail of the law building. A large |
luinber OF people were present including
lot only delegates to the conference L,,I |
many residents Of Washington Mics IN
,ha ~ Smith. OF the Associated Charities
# Boston, acted as chairman. The oniy5
address delivered was that by Miss Mar
=. Richmond, General Secretary Of me |
society for Organizing Charity Her SUBJ
ect was Cooperation and She occupied
)nly nfteen minutes. Then followed an |
iGar OF discussion embodied In lve-ninilfe |
alks by delegates
Miss Riehmond's ideas of charitable
Work tend greatly toward UeU-deflned
lrganization. She is a strong adherent ~
he district system of working The dis
fTct system brings into play an the in
tl'lt ,ueneeS which surround the object Of the
haritable work. First. there are those
surrOundings-tne friends the
.octor, The neighbors, the school. the
iues, or social settlement there may be
the vicinity Of the home The newt |
'oibt which should be worked are the |
iVie influences, public officials, court Off
ials, and others Miss Richmond said | ,
2 cohcludlnS her address, that too many
,efSons made themselves the centre OF |
ner Charitable work and endeavored 10 !
itrdct attention to themselves and their |
et charities, while other deserving sub
ects were Totally neglected
large number Of the delegates renifea | ,
the points Miss Richmond had fnade |
nd II was evident she had sowu pientU |
/ SEED Ior thought. Thorough organiza-
ION was the Keynote Of the dlscussfon {
! number OF novel and extremely com
lon-sense ideas were expressed Arnoro
nose VINO participated in the discussion
tefe r. Il. BickneI, OF Chicago. NfsS 4
.ieanoT Bush, Of Boston. r II H1n, /
hreys, Of Boston; J.. H. Jacobs. Sunerin-
shosnt OF the Public Charities OF Rich