The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-26
WHISKEY DOES IT
POOR PARENTS TO
DESERT CHILDREN.
But There Are Other Causes and Chill
dren's Aid Society of the Oranges
VIII Investigate.


children being deserted by parents and a
statement about the Excise Board were
features of the address by the Rev. Walter
Reid Hunt, president of the Children's Aid
and Protective Societies of the Oranges at
the annual meeting held yesterday after
noon in the charities building, Essex ave-
nue., Orange.
Another side this society showed d.
rect attention to-" said Mr.. Hunt, lis
that it is not only our duty to remedy
neglect, but see to 1t that no such neglect
appears In the community. Is it not our
duty to legislate ourselves out of office,
then go to the constructive side of life
and see that no children are abused in
the Oranges? We should find the cause
and apply a remedy, and 1 believe this
germ spirit that causes abuse can be dis
covered and when it Is we can strike that
germ and destroy 1t. During the new year
we should lave two or three members of
the board of directors TO make an investi-
cation and find the causes.
Il believe there are three causes: In
temperance, low standard of morals among
many, rich and poor alike, as to what the
marriage vow is, and incompatability of
temper. If intemperance is the cause we
are face to face with something the fault
of society. From sixty to seventy-fve
per cent. of cases are the result of this,
IN VIC dAG lOlQ Wy Lllt EAClSt DOdIu luub
the present saloons in Orange bring an
income Of $4,000 a year. Then we simply
have got to balance that against the suf-
tering by children, and it is a matter for
investigation. The causes must be placed
on scales and let the Christian people bal
ance them.
1T is our duty to raise a standard of pub
lie and private morals in the community.
We insisted at the last directors board
meeting that all directors of this society
raDli1n the r0Gnnn cihilitu f1aaAH 1IOnn
them. 1t means a sacred trust, as sacred
as can be conceived. They are trustees
for little children of the Oranges, and
in discharging their duty can set a
standard of public morality by officials
being elected by the people. And we must
raise the standard of morals all along the
line. How ridiculous it Is today that rich
can neglect their children, but as soon as
a poor person does it the hand of the law
is placed upon them. When a social cause
Is responsible for neglect this society has
much work to do. and only as it does 1t
can we rest content. We must be econ
omic. and there must be no duplication OF
the work of other societies There is none
today, and we are working harmonlously
with every existing institution here"
Secretary Thomas S. Crane stated that
the statistics of the agent speak more
eloquently than language, and taking an
average of them it was shown that Mr..
Abbott handled seven people seeking adj
vice every working day of the year.
He paid nearly three visits every day
to investigate cases. continued Mr.. Crane,
'snd an average of one visit weekly to
children in country homes. In addition to
this there wal all the Office work, cover
ing the 1853 cases under supervision during
the year, and the correspondence and writ
ing up Of records in connection with
seventy-six of those cases, which were en-
tirely new and brought to the society at
the rate Of one and a half per week.
Perhaps the most satisfactory feature
of all the statistics is the ratio of cases set
tied by us out of court compared with
those we were obliged to take to court,
being nearly five of the former to three
of the latter
Mr.. Crane said the work of the society
had been ably seconded in court by Judge
Bray, of Orange; Recorder Condit, of
West Orange; Recorder Fort, of East Or
ange, and Justice Roll, of South Orange.
"Our work is never DONE" he continued,
''as long as there is seed time and harvest,
and as our neighborhood continues to grow,
and as long as people marry in haste and
repent at leisure we must be ready to
listen to the cry of the little ones, dirty,
hungry and u%nclothed, while a drunken
parent sleeps off the effect of bad whiskey.
For, after all, 1t is drink that is chiefly
responsible for these cases.
"Our expenses are very low in compare
son with the work done, but increase
slightly allrthe time through the increase
Of the work. In this connection we would
ask for the greater sympathy and support
Of our churches. We feel sure they need
only to have their attention called to this
Increase, to enlarge their support for Il
work which is countenanced by every
word of Christ, and we earnestly commend
to them the living, speaking statistics OF
the agents report"
Mr.. Crane told of the work done gratis
by Simeon II. Robinson, counsel for the
society, and by DR.. Katherine Porter. the
cooperation of the various philanthropic
societies was commended and reference
made to the killing of the bill for a
uynp,ou'c rnforrpat opy baaauGn il was nm
derstood the Governor would not sign it.,
ignoring the fact that the want of such
a home end to increase crime and the
burdens borne by the community
Treasurer William Beach reported as fol-
lows: Receipts: Balance on hand Novem-
Der 10. 1906, $7.459; Orange Orphan Home,
$500; church, societies and Sunday schools,
$153. 81; individuals, 81, 804. rs; interest, $L44,
total, $2,340.45. Disbursements Salaries,
81, 760; Office and travelling expenses, $3.50:
light and heat, 20 cents; stationary. ana
printing, sl25.17; postage, s70.14; telephone
$31. SO; total, 2,31l.94,
An amendment was adopted providing
for the election of directors in three classes.
The following were elected; One-year
Miss Lillian Bryant, Thomas A. Davis
George A. Vail and Miss Emma A. Volt
Two years, Mrs. Laura S. Baker, the Rev.
Walter Reid Hunt, William Read Hove
Mrs. Joseph r. Holmes, Mrs. a. w. l<i-
borne, the Rev. NJ. +. Mcdonald, Mrs
w. p. Richards Three years. Thomas >.
Crane, Charles %. Eaton, Miss GinerVia
Freeman, Mrs. f. c. Geiger, Mrs. Laura M
Lindsey, Norman c. Haskin and the Rev
David O.. Irving.
Agent Abbott reported that 100 eases
needing supervision during the year, n
volving 499 children, were presented
seventy-siX new cases were handled, IN
volving l79 children; S54 visits for m
vestigation made. 2,195 calls made TO the
society Office by applicants and friends
for aid and advice in individual cases,
nine children placed in care of society
by courts and eight by parents and guar
dams. twelve children returned to parents
and relatives, six children placed in coun-
try homes, hfty-four visits made tc
eighteen children placed in country homes
eight families reunited, f~orty-seSen cases
adjusted without any payment for sup
port of children to the society, twenty
agreeing to pay the society a certain
weekly amount for support of children
u six convicted parents able to secure bonds
men for support of children, seventeen
times society was compelled to take cases
to police court as last resort, ten parent.
released from prison by scciety's efor
before expiration of sentences. five parents
now in penitentiary for failing to supper
children. -four parents placed in care o
probation officer. five placed on probation
by courts by signing agreements; sever
parents who have deserted families hav'
returned and are supporting children
sorting families; ten parents have deserted
families whose whereabouts are unknown
one parent sent ito private reformator,
IN preference TO term In penitentiary, nv
indictments by Grand Jury against de
serterS through societyis efforts.