New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-28
A LITTLE BRIGHTNESS FOR THEM.
What the Island Mission Does TO Tighten
Burdens of City Charges.

II Is almost twenty years since a few people
who regularly visited the various institutions sup
ported by the city came 20 the conclusion that
there was much room Tor help which the taxpayers
could not rightly be asked TO give. The Island
Mission for Cheering the Poor and Sick in Public
Charitable Institutions which has Just issued its
sixteenth annual report. Was the result and though
there has since been great Improvement in tho
administration Of the Department OF Charitea
there are Etiu many gaps TO be filled by help from
outside
"For instance. Commissioner OF Charities
would be justified IN asking fer musical boxes out
Of the public money" says the president OF the
Island Mission. Mrs. Cndwalader Jones in the re-
cent report Yet these instruments give infinite
pleasure taking the place OF the strolling bands
and hand organs which make the city cheerful to
the poor"
Three musical boxes were provided by the Island
Mission during the year. One was put into the
infrmary for consumpuves one IN the maternity
ward and one among those untortunatas who
termed officially female incurables" Tho mis-
sion also gave toys to the children suffering from
contagious diseases. North Brother Island
and these were a source OF unending delight while
they lasted Toys given to these children have to
be destroyed frequently in order not to spread con-
tagfon. but the mission hopes 20 provide mora
Other toys were sent TO the chIldren's ward OF
Gouverneur Hospital where there are many ao-
cident and pneumonia cases and the superinten-
dent wrote that they were welcome, "espe-
cia.ly the bird that flaps its wings" CroQuet and
tennis sets were also presented to the New-York
City School for the use OF the nurses and 'spe-
oiel fund provided stamps for tho letters OF penni
less, car fare for those who would otherwise have
been obliged to walk TO their homes after their
discharge from the city Hospital. and occasional
oelicacies. which in more than case have given
O start toward convalcscence.
81, A. the number Of helpless people cared for by
the department OF Charities must grow from year
10 year with the growth Of the great city. the calls
upon the resources OF tho mission Increase" says
Mrs. Jones, and the trustees earnestly beg for
more money. They wish 10 provide employment
Tor TIE Old men IN the City Home for the Aged
and lnhrnI ss the Almshouse is more merci-
Ll4ly called; they want more cash for the special
FUND more toys FOR the sick children, more shade
trees Tor The lsands-there Is practically no end
10 the wants Of their helpless bene1caries Gifts
such as toys games, chldren's books Cisused baby
Carriages outgroWn baby clothes--anything, in
snort That Is not mere rubbish-wiu be appreci-
6ted and may be sent 10 the homes OF the presl-
dent secretary
The officers Of the Island Mission are: President
Mrs Cadwalader Jones, No. p East Eleventh-st:
treasurer. Miss Beatrix Jones' No. q East Flew
enth-st., ana secretary, Mrs. Richard NJ Hunt
No. llS Madison-ave Trustees. Mrs. Francis c.
BARLOW, Miss BrelinghuyEen. Mrs. Z. L C3odkin.
Mrs. Francis ". Greene, Mrs. Henry Z. Rowland
the officers. 1870