The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-04

The contribution the Orphan Homes
are making to the enlightenment of
the dark places of North Caro-
lima is worthy of specia! consideration.
1t is larger and more important than
some people think. The orphanage work
has suffered no little on account of silly
sentimentalists. The orphanage is called
a haven of rest, a refuge for beautiful
children, a sort of earthly paradise where
all day long the sweet and innocent kids
are allowed to play under the shade of the
trees and drink molasses and water by
the barrel. So often, in speaking and in
writing, this work has been referred to
in love-sick language which is only
sweetened wind. Suppose We look al a
few hard facts. OF course the funda-
mental work of every orphanage should
be the development of the moral, mental
and physical powers of the children.
This article will not deal with the moral
or the physical. 1 have been asked by
the editor to say some things about the
educational value of North Carolina Gr-
phan Work. However, | may say that
no one of these important elements of
training is neglected. The children here,
As the children in every home ought to
be, are taught to love God, improve their
minds and take care of their bodies.
First, let US look at the facilities of
the orphanages in our State for the work
they have to do. The property of the
orphan homes in North Carolina, includ-
ing the endowments. will reach a value
of considerably more than 100000. The
Baptist Orphapage at Thomasville stands
well in advance of any of the other seven
institutions in the value of it's property.
/ am not familiar with the school equip
ment Of the others, but the Townsville
Orphanage owns the best appointed
school building / have ever seen for the
money it cost. 1t was built for seven
thousand dollars, or thereabout, and hon
estly, l have seen public buildings cost
ing five times that sum which are neither
so convenient nor SO handsome. But
public money comes mighty easy.
The Oxford Asylum is also provided
with a splendid school building, and ex-
cellent equipment throughout. The same
is true, 1 think, of Barium Springs. Only
two of the eight orphanages of North
Carolina receive a dollar of the public
funds. These are the white and colored
asylums of oxford, to which institutions
an annual appropriation is made by the
Legislature of $4,000 and $4,000 respec-
lively. All the others are supported
wholly by voluntary contributions.
In these eight orphan homes there are
SS4 children. They are provided with
teachers who are not only thoroughly ca
Fable so far as their educational qualifi-
cations are concerned, but who are devot-
ing themselves to the work not for money
but for love; and this means that they
are giving the highest and best service
of which they are capable. At Thomas
Vile there are five women employed,
holding diplomas from first class colleges,
cultured. refined. elegant women, worth
a good deal more than they are getting,
in any market but who are warmly at
tached to their work. and who are en-
thusiastic and splendid teachers. | take
il that this is true of every institution
of the kind in the State which means
that this army of young immortals is
enjoying the finest educational advant-