Putnam patriot., 1908-10-23
County Home Annual Meet
 ing.
LARGE AND DELIGHTFUL MEETING,

Putnam has two public institutions located within its limits of which it's people are justly proud. One Is the Day kimball Hospital and the other the County Home for Dependent Chii- dren. Both are public institutions the former is supported In part by the State snd in part by the voluntary aid of the philaathropie people of the VA rious towns in the county; the latter, the County Home. is entirely support cd by the county, but a large amount of voluntary assistance Is expected from each town, in order that the pur- pose of the institution may be proper iy carried out. While the helpless and dependent children in every town in the county are freely admitted into the institution, where they are well cared for, clothed and sent to school. This is to be continued to them only until such time as some private families can be found to receive them and care for them until of age. Failing 10 find homes in which to place them, they are retained until old enough to be placed out to earn their own living.
 There are two things that the State desires every citizen ef the county to consider, to secure his or her eo-opera- ton in carrying out the purpose of the institution. one Is te save expense to the tax papers ot the county; the other K pailaR;hropic. When child enters the Home Il immediately becomes an expense To the county, which will con l tinue until the child Is placed in some home where il will be reared np as ono of the family, or until 1t is old enough | to earn its own living.
 The philanthropic side is, that if f. mily will accept the care of child un- til of age, the latter will have all the advantages of private home, where it may win the love of it's foster parents, not only until 1t is ef age, but for all | time. One can realize what blessing that would prove to achild who can have no place to find home advantages I otherwise when It Is compelled to leave l the Home at n suitable age to earn It's own living.
 The plan of the county Is to have a eommittee-ladies by preferenee-in every town to seek homes for the chil- dren of the county institution, and af- ter being NO placed out to keep watch. fu eye upon them to know they are well and properly cared for.
 l II k seen bY reference to supefinten- dent Ceneefse's $ report, that there were D children in the Home the beginning of the year just closed During the year n children were added to the number. of ail in the Home only ? found families to receive them, and re. 1 latiVes took charge of ,. So that with returned and other changes there re mained In the Home on Sept. lst, this year, 70 children-i5 more than at the beginning of the past year.
 The County Commissioners believe there are homes in the county where every child received during the year. about 25--couId be placed, fl properly appealed 10. It k work that the ia- dy town committees alone, cannot pos sibly accomplish. Every citizen of the county should deem 1t privilege 10 aid In finding families who would con. sent to take al least one Of the children from the County Home.
 To effectively carry on the work of caring for the dependent children, the
 Board of Management, consisting of the County Commissioners-Messrs.
 F.. H. Hall, l.. II. torttis, C. F.. Bar Der, q member of the state Board of Charities, and member of the State
 Board of Health, hold an annual meet ing, to discuss all the affairs of the l Home The Town Committee, consist ing of IS members, are always well re- presented, and make reports Of work done in the county in the interest of the children of the Home.
 The annual meeting was held last Friday. The weather was as fine as could be and brought together the larg- est company in the history of the Home. The visitors were mainly the represen- tative people of the county, some of whom paid their first visit. The Man. agement are always pleased to have . large company of visitors, as they in- variabiy are gratified and delighted with everything about the Home, and become influential in making known | to their fellow townsmcn, on return ing home, not only the great merits of the Home in accomplishing its benen- l cent work, but aid In making known the importance of having families take into their homes some of the little chil- dren.
 The visitors arrived about noon, hay , ing time to look over the Home and surroundings, and to learn how every thing was managed, before the hour for dinner. From every one could be heard words of commendation Tor the admirable management and the per feet condition of everything that came under their observation. The Super iniendent and MatroD, Mir. and Mrs. Converse, were the special subjects Of praise in speaking cf them as so per fectly fitted for the great and peculiar responsibilities resting upon them. Quietly and amiably, without mani festalion Of f.assiness, they meet every one. the children being no exception, 50 that the slnstitltior is made real