Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-08

mothers who are not paupers) after
ne is fourteen.
Now then, if we don't want our
orphaned children-I use the word IN
lis broadest sense. children who have
lost one or both parents or whose
parents are unable to provide them
with suitable care-to be clasSed as
"naupers." if we don't like that term
to be applied TO them, If we recognize
the fact that many towns are 100
small TO provide adequately, al
reasonable expense of the taxpayers
for the children within their borders,
why does not the State PROVIDE an
adequate appropriation for the care
of all such children. and permit the
children's bureau OF the State Board
Of Charities, or some similar State
department or board, TO arrange for
the care of all dependent children on
the principle recognized in the Moth
er's Aid law, which to my mind is the
correct one: q fifty fifty division of
the cost between the State and the
town or between the State and any
duly incorporated child welfare Or
CARNATIONS which may choose to as
sist; that is, say one-half of the cost
to be paid by the State, the other
half by the town or the society.
Agents for the Protection of Children.
The present law in relation to
neglected children simply adds to the
confusion. A judge of one of our
courts recently said to me- This law
, is fine, valuable piece Of legisla-
! ton. but it is not well administered"
! He is exactly right.
I The public officials whose duty it is
to look after neglected children are
recommended for appointment by the
/ county commissioners. their appoint
rnent must be approved by the State
! Board of Charity, the appointment is
actually made by the Governor. 1t is
! for a four year term. If they do not
/ prove TO be adapted to the work and
often they are not. malfeaSance in
office must be proven TO remove
them. The county pays their salary
or per diem and expenses. the towns
| pay for the care of the children. The
agent cannot so across the county
lines even though she is within fifty
Yards of the trouble and ii is that
many miles to the agent in the next
/ county. The county commissioners
! say tha. the State Board should see
to il that the agents work is well
! done. The Board feels that as the
county is paying the bills. State au-
thority may well hesitate to give too
definite instructions as TO what shall
he done. The agent says: The Gov
ernor appointed me and the court
told me to take care of the children
committed to my custody. must do
as ! think right regardless of instruc-
tons from anyone"
For Maine therefore. 1t seems to
me that the plain duty Of the State
is To provide sufficient funds so that
TIE State Board of Charities and Cor
rectiona can do much the same with
regard TO dependent children without
mothers as with regard to those who
are so fortunate as to have good
that is, cooperate with the
municipal officers, to bear half Of The
expense, and in addition. to secure
either a good institution or a good
foster mother to care for the child:
TO provide that the county agents for
the protection of children shall be
agents of the children's burean Of the
State Board. and that when 4the
courts find a child is neglected and
abused. orphaned or abandoned. re-
cure the state Board to arrange FOR
it's care.