Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-04-28
CARE OF HOMELESS CHILDREN.

lfrom the 81. Adams Messenger
To the Editor of The Messenger:
In q recent issue OF The Messenger you
reprinted an editorial of The Herald and
News Of Randolph, that very clearly sci
forth the need of a state home and school
for our unfortunate children, the class
that should be under the special care and
restraint Of wisely conducted home life
and such an educational training as will
make them safe and useful citizens, escRp-
ing thereby the faint of our minor penal
institution, the reform school.
II is very evident that the writer OF The
I Herald and News article spoke from a
limited knowledge Of the extent OF the
need OF such home, and we question il
be canvassed his own community to as
certain how many children in Randolph
are Legitimate candidates for such an in
stitutioni the fact that he suggested a
state home, proves this.
! During the last two years a careful CEN
sus has been obtained OF the children in
the II towns OF Orleans county that
riGhtfully belong in such an institution,
and whose parents and guardians were
made 10 understand would be the best
surroundings for them. In 1900 the pop
ulatiou Of Orleans Nas 22,024; OF this to-
tai, 4,079 we're school children. The
enumeration referred to above revealed
tho somewhat startling fact that there are
231 children in this county that rightful-
~ belong in such a home and school as
we have here referred 10, for two very inn
portant reasons; first, for the well-beng
OF the children; second. Tor the good OF
the homes from which they ould come
and the children Of the common schools
OF the county.
In securing this important Information,
we have endeavored 10 lay aside all senti-
ment, that our figures might herald facts
that are Trustworthy. We were confident
that the exhibit would uncover an educa-
tional need not d, cmed oss BIZ even by
the average teacher Of the county. We
found one citizen in the county that was
able to convince u, through his intimate
knowledge of his home town, that we
were exempting some from our list of his
town that were from every point Of view
fl subjects for such a home aud school.
We are very sure that this county's
needs along this line are not exceptional.
and out OF the about $4,000 school chill
dren in the state. at least 6 per cent, or
in excess of 1000, would be natural can
didates for this kind OF school, These
facts reveal how impractical it would be
to attempt this work in a central state in.
stitution, but county homes would so To-
calize and popularize it that it would be
possible to at once make the work sue
cessful.
Our conception OF county home and
school for this purpose embodies plan
not unlike the "George Junior Republic"
OF Freeville, N. ", which it has been our
pleasure to visit several times. There are
features in this school that mig BIT net be I
deemed suitable in our county school, but (
the large farm and industrial features are
desirable as foundation, but whole I
some home life is the important factor in /
such a work, complemented by text book |
and industrial training, that the judg- |
ment and the inherent bent of he child I
may be trained to its greatest efficiency.
We understand that we are opening up
a great problem, but we also knew, from
personal contact with the application OF
the remedy or specific here outlined, that
its curative properties are an established
fact. We have had many opportunities to
talk with the parents and guardians OF
the class of children this communication
refers to, and they see the soundness OF
this solution Of the problem.
Our attention was called to this prob
lem about 10 years ago in the state of
Illinois, in the case of boy that was OF
unfortunate parentage and home life, and
in order 10 secure an order for his COM
to the reform school at Pontiac,
both the father and the mother OF the boy
perjured themselves to get him of their
hands. In this case a few friends of the
Judge, before whom the boy was taken,
became interested in the case and
gave the lad employment in his factory,
induced him to attend night school, and
made it his business to save him in every
tense, and he is today a useful and self.
product of a fair chance in
life; he escaped the "brand" by "the
kin Of his teeth"
The problem is at our every door and
tands in the way OF our growth as a ,
tate, it challenges solution. The gaunt- ,
ct lies in every school district in the
tate, and it's for us to take up and fight .
to the finish, and there is an entire lack !
L question as to the result.
Charles E. Bennett. {
Derby Line, April 10.