The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-02-15

reau are advocated not only by This
conference, but by large number of
national organizations that are disin.
terestedly working for the welfare of
children, and also by philanthropic.
educational, and religious bodies in all
parts of the country.
further urge that such legislation
ibe enacted as may be necessary in
order to bring the laws and practices
IN regard to the care of dependent
children in all federal territory into
harmony with the other conclusions
reached by the conference.
Legislation for the District of Coun,.
bia.
Congress took step in the direction
OF the conclusions of this conference
in 1888 when, on the recommendation
OF the late Amos G. Warner then SUI
perintendent of charities for the Dis
tr1ct of Columbia, the board of chill
dren's guardians was created, with
authority, among other things, to place
children in family homes. That board
has made commendable progress and
it's work should be strengthened and
extended
L recommend legislation for the Dis
trict of Columbia in accordance with
the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
sections of the conclusions of the con-
ference, as follows:
i. That the approval of the board
of charities be required for the in
corporation of all child-caring agencies
as we'll as amendments of the charter
of any benevolent corporation which
includes child-caring work, and that
other than duly Incorporated agencies
be forbidden to engage in the care of
needy children. This legislation is
needed in order to insure the fitness
and responsibility of those who pro-
pose to undertake the care of help
less children. Such laws have long
been in satisfactory operation in sew
eral of the larger states of the union.
2. That the board of charities,
through its duly authorize agents,
shall inspect the work of all agencies
which care for dependent children,
whether by institutional or by home
i finding methods, and whether support
ed by public or private funds. The
state has always 'ealously guarded the
interests of children whose parents
have been able to leave them property
4 by requiring the appointment of a
guardian, under bond, accountable di-
rectly to the courts, even though there
be competent surviving parent
Surely the interests Of the child who is
not only an orphan but penniless ought
to be no less sacred than those OF the
more fortunate orphan who inherits
property. If the protection of the gov
/, eminent is necessary in the che case
err. If we the to require that only in
corporated institutions shall be allow
ed to engage in this responsible work
it is necessary to provide for public
inspection, lest the state should be
come the unconscious partner of those
who either from ignorance or inefi
cheney are unsuited to deal with the
problem.
8. That the education of children
4 in orphan asyums and other similar
4 institutions in the District of Columbia
:. be under the supervision of the board
of education, in order that these chill
dren may enjoy educational advan
tages equal to those of the. other chill
! dren Normal school life comes mex
to normal home life in the process OF
securing the fullest development Of
the child.
4. That all agencies engaged in
child-caring work in the District O
Columbia be required by law to adopt
adequate methods of investigation ant
make permanent records relative tt
children under their care, and to ex
ercise faithful personal supervision
over their wards until legally adopted
or otherwise clearly beyond the neet
: of further supervision: the forms ant
: methods of such investigation, records
and supervision to be prescribed ant
enforced by the board of charities.
| deem such legislation as is here
in recommended not only importan
: for the welfare of the children imme
diately concerned. but important al
setting an example of high stand
ard of child protection by the nationa
government to the several states o
the union, which should be able t.
look to the nation for leadership il
such matters.
herewith transmit a copy of the
f full text of the proceedings.
: THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
February IS, 1903,