The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-12
UNION
MINISTERS
MEET
Held Monthly Session In Y. N.
C. 4. HaII-Agent Smith
Makes an Interesting Statement

The regular monthly meeting Of the
union ministers OF Providence and VI
cinity was held in the small hall of the
Y. NJ c. A. this morning with large
attendance. Notwithstanding the down
pour. Rev. A r. cristy was In the chair
and called the meeting 10 order at lo:+5.
after which several important matters
were brought to the attention OF those
present.
The first OF these was the presentation
by Rev. r.. T. Root. OF a plan for CO.
operative parish system under the aus
pices OF the Rhode Island Federation OF
Churches.
Mr. Cristy also called the attention Of
those present TO a pamphlet made up Of
articles which have lately appeared In
the columns OF the New York Evening
Post. which has been issued with the
hope that IL may arouse the people of
Rhode Island to a realization OF thu COR
ruption which so largely prevails In the
political life of this state. Mr. Crlsty
stated that 10000 OF these pamphlets had
been issued and would be scattered broad
cast throughout the city and state. He
urged the ministers present 10 assist, so
far as possible, IN the distribution OF the
same.
Mr.. Cristy also announced the appoint
menG OF a financial agent OF the Rhode
Island Temperance league In the person
of Rev. Edwin A Herring, for six years
past the pastor OF the First Baptist
church of East Providence.
The appointment OF n financial agent,
Mr. Cristy said. was made necessary
because Of the development OF the work;
the superintendent no longer being able.
because OF stress OF work, TO do all that
is necessary In the line OF law enforce
ment.
At the close OF these preliminaries
Agent Smith OF the Society for the Pre-
vention or Cruelty TO Animals was intro
dyced and spoke for half hour on the
work OF the excellent organization he
represented giving statistics which prov
ed the great work which Is being accom-
plished.
lie urged the great need OF the work
and suggested that the ministers OF the
various denominations preach sermon
on the work as often as once year and
thus arouse an interest In the society.
Agent Thurber OF the Society for the
Prevention OF Cruelty to Children was the
next speaker and. after referring to the
organization OF the society and dwelling
briefly on Its objects, he spoke as fol-
lows:
Sometime in 1870 colored man was ar
rested for cruelty to his horse after re-
peated warnings by the agent. When
| brought 10 the station a small boy was
brought with him and the attention OF the
agent was called to his condition. He was
| taken into n room and his body was ex-
amined. which was covered with bruises
caused by being beaten by harness
trace and numerous places were found
on his body, some where the skin and
flesh were taken out. The chief OF po-
lice was requested to have a warrant is
sued against the man for assault; he was
found guilty and took an appeal; tried be-
fore a jury and found guilty and SEN
tenced TO jail and the boy was placed at
the Providence Shelter for Colored Chill
dren.
Later r.. ]. s. p. c. A. pettioned the
legislature for an amendment OF its char
ter 10 make 1t a Humane society, In
cludng animals and children. For Ave
years this amendment was asked for, but
the legislature. being so conservative.
would not class children and animals to-
sether. so the matter was dropped Later
young girl. Grace Charming. interested
number OF our influential citizens In
the cause. and at the January session
OF the legislature in 1882, an act was pro-
cured Including children under IA years
OF age. Nothing further was done, but
TO organize. and but few meetings were
active operation and Mr.. Thurber was
elected agent. The first case brought to
the attention (see report OF l90D.
After few years OF work and finding
many children under the age OF is years
cruelty treated. an amendment was asked
for including children under IS years. and
was passed. giving the society control
under IL years.
| Then the law OF the age OF consent was
asked for, up to the age OF IA years and
! passed. Later at the urgent appeal OF
! the society the age was raised TO Is
! years. Then, finding 80 many babies
/ boarded with irresponsible parties. the
society asked for an act 10 prevent
parties boarding children under two years
! Of age. unless ..censed. said law was
passed and has saved the lives OF many
! children who before were neglected
| starved and cruelty treated
During the history Of tho society there
has been investigated To Jan. ]. 1898, Sl9l
cases involving ng 6S76 children. or this
ers, 17i4 intemperate mothers. 7H no
fathers. li7l no mothers. $50 stepfathers
1n stepmothers. S6l parent In prison.
g having guardians appointed. There
have beon lT0 illegtimaie children; 1890
children have been removed from drunk
en-, cruel and immoral parents and good
been prosecuted ess cases for neglect as,
sault, etc. 40 children have been removed
from the stage and ~ cases prosecuted
for boarding children without n license. A
number or young girls have been taken
! from houses OF tll-fame and most OF
them are living virtuous lives. Numer-
Gus cases have been prosecuted for car
nal knowledge OF young girls under tNe
age OF l6 years. and in but few OF the
cases have we been unsuccessful In get
ting conviction.
At the close OF MIR Thurber's remarks
the meeting adjourned.
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uIplnp REclSIER