The Republican journal., 1909-06-03

postponement. Two special meetings have
been held, one to approve the application for
the State appropriation, the other to consider
applications for the positions of matron and
been carefully considered by the committees
or officer having them in charge. The house
and supply committee have been faithful to
their special duties, and we feel that it is not
disparaging to others of the real estate COM
mttee all of whom have looked well to the
interests of the Home, but only just to acknowl-
EIDE the zeal and interest and valuable time
given by one member of that committee, Mr..
M. w. Rich
The society has been fortunate, indeed, in
having the services of our President another
year. He has been faithful to duty and his un-
varying optimism and cheerfulness has been a
constant inspiration to his associates in Office
He has ever striven to keep the atmosphere
serene a condition only possible where tact
and judgment on the one side are met with
spirit of cooperation on the other. We are
certain it would be detrimental to every phase
of the work not to have him continue in office.
Briefly we cite our own work during the year
as secretary and field superintendent, for how
ever we may multiply experiences there is so
much that cannot be told in words and figures.
We think we realize our capacity for doing,
but always we are amazed at the summing up
OF actual accomplishment, and the past season
has brought us complications that have over
weary days and sleepless nights in order to
bring results beneficial to the society and its
wards. All the records, accounts, &C., in the
secretary's Office have been carefully kept as
heretofore. The correspondence, much larger
than any previous year, partly from the fact
that large number of letters were written in
connection with legislative matters, shows
more than 1000 letters and postals sent out, ex-
elusive of the regular blanks. In placing out
the girls and other field work we have visited
81 different cities and towns, some of these
more than once during the year, travelling sew
eral thousand miles and not always in the most
comfortable manner, for the exigencies of the
work demand personal sacrifice in many ways.
We have accompanied eleven girls to new
homes and visited larger number previously
placed There is abundant contrast in the
years events, but often the personal contact
with noble hearts full of that human interest
which makes life worth while, and the moral
supper. of life long friends goes far to counter
act the disagreeable and unsympathetic
IN the scant time left from other duties and
given to soliciting we have collected and turn
ed over to the treasurer, and for which we hold
his receipt, about $500. Many articles of cloth
ing have been specially solicited, and the one
bequest of the year came directly through our
influence.
Our work in placing out has extended beyond
the limit of our society and we have found
homes for number of boys and girls under
our age limit beside placing several in other
institutions.
Our paper, 1.-THE Girls Home" published
quarterly and designed to keep the constit-
uency of the society informed on the different
phases of the work, has been as during the
past seven years. under our sole management.
What this means can be fully appreciated per-
haps only by those who have had experience in
such work. We know it receives favorable
criticism from the majority, but it has shared
the fate of many publications during the years
OF financial depression. We need more sub
scrlberS to meet expenses. A few friends who
place just estimate upon the value of the
paper have rallied to it's support in extra con-
tributions, so that at present only the bills on
the April number are due. Is it not reasonable
to expect that others will respond to our appeal
to make good the deficit?
Our sincere thanks are due for favors receiv-
ed from the officials of the NJ c. railroad, the
Grand Trunk railway, the Eastern Steamship
Co. and Capt W. D. Bennett, beside many per-
sonal friends whom space will not permit US to
mention, but without which the field work
could not have been carried on to such salts
factory results. We are seldom met now with
this statement, SO often heard during the first
years of the work, "This Home is new to me,
| know nothing of it." We have been extern
sively advertised and we are recognized by
State and national philanthropies.
The problem of caring for dependent chill
dren is receiving worldwide attention at the
present day. New methods are being dis
cussed and there is eager inquiry as to what is
best. The searchlight has been turned upon
institutional work and in few instances with
disparaging effect, but institutions must be
maintained and the lack now of one properly
managed in our State for girls between the
ages of 16 to 81 who are not subjects for re-
formatory is keenly felt by the workers.
Our Home does not come under this head of
institutions. 1t is a family home in the best
sense. The work has every inducement of
sympathy and interest, but managers may plan
and officers and matron strive to carry out
suggestions but the real success of the work
rests in great measure upon the attitude of
outside friends. In the development and ex-
tension of our charity nothing is so essential
as loyalty to our own.
May we have abundant confidence in the i'm
mediate future when the aggregate interest
and aggregate contributions may preclude any
anxiety as to ways and means to fulfil our
special mission.
"He spake and my poor name He named,
OF me thou hast not been ashamed,
Thy deeds shall thy memorial be;