The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-01-19
NORTH CAR0L|NGS
FORGOTTEN ASSET
Why Not State Orphan Houses
as Provided For in The
Constitution?

(By Zadok Harris. Of LineoInton.
President North Carolina Orphan
Association
When the bill, introduced by Nc
Rae Of Mecklenburg. to establish q
house Of refuge for fallen women OF
North Carolina. is passed, which
hope will be, all the unfortunates viii
be very we'll provided for except the
orphan. I read the Governors mes
sage, and an able one it was. 10 sea
what recommendations he had 10
make, but l failed to see any. | may
nave overlooked it. but 1 have looked
over the proceedings of the LegisIa-
ture and SO far I nave failed to see
any suggestion that we have such 4
character as an orphan in the State
OF course 1t is early in the session, ana
something may be done later.
But why such a discrimination be-
tween the orphan and the other un-
f~ortunates? Is it because we have
no orphans in this State? No. We
all provided for? No, There are
5000. if not 5000. most of whom are
IN homes not able to care
Tor them, and are eating the bread
and wearing the clothes that should
go to other members of the family.
ooAAAS L al liz TIE CITY, some are
trampS In the country; some are dead
beats ON the community; some are in
houses of lll-fame; some are in Jail
and most of them unwelcome guests
wherever Q find them.
Every orphanage in the State is
crowded to it's utmost capacity, and
very few plans are being projected for
immediate enlargement.
Is this manifest discrimination be-
! caI1S6 fhQ Stata hoe hNrno tic ,nn-,
OF the burden? No. The State con-
tributes $4,000 to the support of the
oxford Orphan Asylum. This $40
goo, distributed among 5000 orphans.
would be $3.50 apiece, or enough to
buy each one a pair of shoes.
Is this manifest discrimination be-
cause the State does o owe the or
phan anything? No! Article IL, sec
ton 8. of the Constitution of North
Carolina says: There shall also, as
soon as practicable, be measures de-
vlsed by the State for the establish
ment OF one or more orphan houses.
where destitute orphans may be-
cared for, educated and taught some
business OR trade
The State requires each county to
PROVIDE for its poor; it a~ppropriates
$4,000 to the school for feeble
minded, $62,50O for school for deaf
and dumb. $72,500 for the school for
blind. for the public school $735,S35.
for the University of North Carolina
$4,000. for the Normal and Indus
trial College 5000, for A.. and M.
College $50, 900, for East Carolina
Teachers Training School $45, 900.
/ and various other institutes less
; amounts.
: l do not mean to ~disparage any OF
these institutions, for they are all
| doing good work; but / cannot sea
/ why we should not have one or more
orphan houses, as provided in the
] Constitution.
The orphan is the most hopeful un.
we have. There are greas
possibilities for good or evil in him,
II ne receives the proper care and
4 training his service to the State can
be OF untold WORTH; but if neglected
: he will probably cost the State more
to convict and punish him for crime.
I than it would cost to give him proper
training.
t He is legally an asset of the State.
S when he reaches his majority, the
n state mas a right to lay tribute upon
him. It calls for his taxes, suffrage
: and services.
t No church Or fraternal order can
Y exercise such prerogative, and yet the
State in strict violation of it's Con
stitution, a left the orphan to the
Y mercy of the church and fraternal
: order. l him l voice the sentimen,
e Of the people Of North Carolina when
| say, let us have the orphan house. OF
e amend the Constitution.