The Republican journal., 1905-05-25
it their opportunity to help in this way. A
hardwood floor in the halls is another i'm

anu OucIc are 10 dI tuo present. LtIl0. we
have on file seven applications for girls and
several requests for admittance. Two girls
are expected to arrive this week. much
larger number of girls have been legally
adopted the past two years than formerly
and it is pleasing to note in how many in
stances these girls have become the beloved
daughters. the real joy and pride of their
adopted parents, and rejecting honor upon
our institution.
A review of conditions the past year pre-
sents the gratifying fact that the health of
the children has been unusually perfect
Two surgical operations for adenoids have
been performed and we are indebted for
DR.. John Stevens.
The girls have attended church, Sunday
school and public school, without Interrupt
ton and we are glad to report that the
standing of most of the number in the pub
lie grades has been good. We are especial
managers, for giving extra instruction to
several girls, who were thus enabled to enter
higher grades. Miss Mcdowell is also en-
plOyed to teach sewing at the home thus in
addition to being taught by the matrOn to
considerably assist in the domestic manage
the mending of their wardrobes, etc. We
have heard it limited that our girls are not
receiving the knowledge of household du-
ties that they should, but it is a wrong idea
and we desire to refute any such erroneous
impression. We know that during vacations
and in the hours out of school the older ones
are taught to wash dishes, make beds, to
care for the table, silver, etc, and to assist
in busting and cleaning, while even the
youngest members of the family have their
special duties So far as we are aware the
curriculum of the Home compares very ia
vorably with other institutions of the kind.
We have received many contributions of
clothing and supplies during the twelve
months, but they have been entirely in
adequate to the wants of the large family
and considerable expenditure from the
treasury for this purpose has been neces-
sary. We wish here to allude to the fact
that our income has not kept pace with our
increasing needs, and we again suggest that
an effort be made to raise an endowment
fund by life membership fees or in some
other practical manner.
We have received several generous gifts
and one small bequest from the tate of
Maria B. Manter of Brooks is recorded.
Much has been done by the managers and
friends TO add to the happiness and com
fort of the children. Some of these events
are worthy our special mention. The lib
eral gift of SIS from Mrs. George +. God
frey of Bangor that enabled us to lay the
much needed hard wood floors in the dining
room and kitchen has been greatly appre-
ciated. We find another benefactor in Hon
William w. Bradstreet of Gardiner, whose
generous check of 500 supplied warmth
and comfort for all. We gratefully ac-
knowledge many kindneSseS from Col. w.
A. Conkling of New York and Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas E. Shea, who are ever-tO- be
remembered friends of the Home. The joys
and pleasure attendant upon Thanksgiving
and Christmas were greatly enhanced by
their thoughtfulness, aud in no private
home could be found more solid enjoyment
than was witnessed as a result of their be-
h.1- ..Io
note of which has regularly been made in
our paper.
The Board of Directors has held twenty
three regular meetings and one by special
call I he business has been transacted as
heretofore in careful and painStaking
manner; Every appeal Tor admission has
received careful investigation before be-
ing accepted and the character and cond-
tons of the homes and families in which
our girls have been placed have been sub
jected to a most rigid surveillance. We be-
lieve we speak truthfully when we say
that not one important item of the work
has been sighted or neglected.
A most efficient and faithful House and
Supply committee have coOperated with the
Board and rendered intelligent reports as
required by the rules. 1t is with sorrow
that we record the names of two of. this
committee who have "paSSed to the Higher
lie" since our last annual meeting, Mrs.
f. II. Conant and Mrs. }. G. Damon They
were devoted to the institution and its
interests and we remember with gratitude
their faithful services.
Ioour special work as secretary we have
given of our time and strength without
limit, and many new duties have been
brought within the scope of the office. In
addition to recording the minutes of all
meetings, We have written more than 1900
letters and postals and sent out 800 general
notices. We have attended to all blanks
necessary for placing out the children and
kept the general record of same. We have
accompanied ten of our girls to homes out
side. In this and i'll visiting other homes
and in the work of soliciting we have
travelled over 1000 miles. We have solicit
ed in person and by letter more than S275
for the general fund and without extra cost
to the society.
The editing and management of our paper,
"The Girls Home" has been entirely under
our charge In connection with this, we
wish to state that while the paper has been
closely self sustaining for the most part
since we assumed charge of it in the sum
mer of 1902, the receipts of the last quarter
have not been sufficient to meet the eX-
penSe of publishing the April number.
Many subscribers are in arrears, some of
these two or three years and more. The
results accomplished through it daily
justify it's existence with emphasis, but it
would be extremely gratifying to the editor
self-supporting. We are often asked ''Why
can it not be published monthly >" but un-
til some greater effort is made in its interest
this cannot be done.
In our work the past year, we have re-
ceived many courteses from railroad and
steamboat officials and from other outside
friends, to whom we make the most pro-
found acknowledgement. For the thought
full and prompt manner in which our
associates of the Board have seconded our
labOrs we extend gratitude. To our retir-
ing President, who to our great regret
through circumstances beyond his control,
declines a reelection, we tender our heart
felt thanks for faithful and generous co
operation. With special fitness for the
position, to his kindly sympathies and able
supervision much of the success of the
year is due We feel that it is indeed hard
to give up one who has become so necessary
to the work.
In closing we repeat with pride that we
have progressed. We have credtable
history, but we hope for greater advance in
the future. Our location and natural ad-
vantages are unsurpassed and there is nc
better place to shelter and care for home
less, helpless, deserted little ones than in
our well equipped Home.
We note with longing the splendid en-
dowments placed with other institutions
and our needs are magnified thereby, still
we have faith that in some way our
philanthropic Iabors will continue to be
blessed.
We hope the impressions you will carry
away with you today from this place will
inspire each one with new ardor and
artb,, 10 n, to i'm thiS most nj