Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-09
HOME FOR THE CHILDREN.
Tho Splendid Work Which the w. c.
r. U. Has Undertaken.

/ AT the Willard memorial meeting
which was held in the Methodist church
III this city Sunday evening". Mrs
Friend of Augusta spoke at some
length on the w. c. r. u. Temporary
Home for Children, which has beer
started in this city. She said in part:
The w. c. T. U. believes first, last
ana always in the temperance reform
IN prohibition, both State and nation
al, put 1t believes that formation il
Tor better, easier and more to be de-
sired than reformation so it is work
ing among the children more and more
organizing them into Loyal Temper
ance Legions. teaching them the prin-
ciples of total abstinence and prohibit
ton, and right living, and also goes
Into homes where children are being
abused and neglected and intercedes
Tor them. Many members of our To-
cal unions have from time to time
taken such children into their own
homes, fed and clothed them for weeks
together.
-Four years ago a law was PASSED
by our Legislature authorizing ta..
Governor to appoint an agent in each
county for the protection of children.
IRIS law gave the agent authority 20
take abused aneA neglected children
from their parents, but no provision
was made for their subsequent care.
BY the recommendation of the Car
elmer Union, Mrs. Ada Hunt of this
city was appointed agent for KenMenec
county, and during the past two years
helped to better the condition of over
100 children
When cases of abuse or neglect of
hsidren are reported to her she visits
the home, and admonishes the parents
10 take better care of their children,
and warns them that she shall be oblig-
ell to take them from them if they do
not. This is in many cases sufficient,
in Others she is obliged to take the
children away. Then she had to find
homes in institutions or private homes
for. them. This has been very diff
-cult, SO our local unions decided to es-
tablish temporary home for children
where they can be cared for for
time untiF suitable homes can be found
Tor them and has been Incorporated
under the laws Of the State of Maine
under the name of 1.-The w. C. T. U.
Temporary Home for Children"
1t Is now located in the home of the
Gardiner w. c. T. U. president, Mrs
fayne. We are now anxious to pro-
cure home. The Hon. r. H Gardiner
has started our building fund with $3.50
and we trust that many others NAV
be as liberal. We also want smaller
sums to help support the home. The
expense per child is economically es-
timated by the authorities of other
homes at from "a to S. per week, which
Tor 20 children for one year would be
over $4,000. We are anxious for all to
become members of the corporation
We intend not only to take children
who are neglected by their parents and
orphans, but children to board whose
father or mother can work and pay
their board but cannot care for them
iii tho homes, and this will in a way
help to make the home self-supporting
We want everyone to be interestel
IN this home. OF course it is a w. C.
I. L. home, but non-sectarian. We
want all the churches, all organiza-
lions. and every individual in our State,
for this is a State home. We intenktu
take children from all parts of TIL
State and place them in homes in al
parts of the State as we'll. We ask
your hearty support and assistance
Mrs. Kate Hartman is solicitor in
Gardiner and Mrs. Friend in Augusta"