Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-21

and provide for the children in
boarding or free homes under the
supervision of a staff of competent
agents.
"The success of this, as of any
| law, depends on whether public SEN
timent upholds it, and it is gratifying
.. to report that there exists in the
hearts Of Maine people a vigorous
| desire for and belief in child well
fare, which tends to offset the other
tendency, which is strongly implant-
ed in the rural New England temper
! ment, not to NEEDLE with ones neigh
boris business" says the report.
Neighbors do not like to go to
court to testify against those who
live near them and who have power
to set fires to forest lands, to poison
stock and otherwise bring calamity
and discomfort upon the community,
!, but it has been shown during the
past year that when a community
rises up against a child abuser and
goes to court, that it does a good
job, for no evidence is SO convincing
in court as. that given modestly and
sometimes haltingly by lifelong re-
ticent neighbors of the defendant.
Having come through with the ordeal
of going to court once, the courage
of the Municipal Board is much bet
ter for a second trial.
1T has been most fortunate for the
child welfare movement as recently
launched in Maine, that it had the
loyal backing Of the Governor and
council. for they have provided most
generously the additional finances
made necessary by the unforeseen
scope Of the work, and have enabled
the board to build up a competent
staff to handle the children's guar
dians and mothers aid work. ~
In previous years child welfare
work in Maine was intrusted to
county agents for the protection of
children. which Office was abolished
by the law of 1919. and to certain
child caring institutions, which re-
ceived State subsidies and otherwise d,
solicited funds about the State.
Now that the State itself has TAX
en- such vigorous measures to fulfill
its duty and promote child welfare, |
its future attitude toward the private |
societies is a matter for careful con- !
sideration. AS the State now ap- /
propriates to its own board of Chill !
dren's Guardians a generous annual |
sum for the board and education Of |
its wards. and since even in the DAYS
OF special appropriations, payments |
for individual children had to be APP !
proved by the State Board of Char /
tiles and Corrections, It seems wise |
for the State ,henceforth to make but |
one general appropriation for the |
and education of chill
dren and. for the State Board of Chill
dren's Guardians to utilize, in addi-
ton to its own efforts, such facilities !
as the private societies offer. Ger i
tainly, the. industrial facilities so Of |
fered for Catholic children will be
est difficulty that free or family |
boarding houses for Catholic children |
are found within the States borders. |
1T is fitting to speak a word of .
commendation for the private home
finding societies which have done |
such excellent service by assuming |
what were rightfully the States bur-
dens at a time when the State was |
not prepared to find homes for its de- |
pendent children. Their services will !
doubtless be needed for some time
to come to assist the State in hand |
ling the many cases which will de- !
velop when thorough social survey
is made of all parts of the State.
But in a sense these societies have
already accomplished their purpose
in that they have demonstrated the
desirability of careful placing of de-
pendent children and have convinced
the State Of the importance of this
job for the general welfare"
Munster Given Pardon /
A conditional pardon has been
era nted fh Nelson w p lInn.&a,. e.