Year: 1865


ture, submitted the following report


To the COTp0rGtors Of the House of RefuQe.
Your committee, to whom was referred
the Charter granted by the Legislature of
the State Of Delaware at its late session, re-
spectlully report:


That the benevolent objects sought to be
accomplished by the enterprise, should re-
ceiye the unqualified appreciation of every
citizen who is solicitous of restraining vice
and promoting the security, happiness and
morality of the Juvenile portion OF the com
munity. That such an institution Is right
fully demanded, does not admit of question,
for we are officially and reliably informed
that not less than twenty five to thirty males
and females, between the ages of twelve and
seventeen years, are and have been daily
guilty of offences against law, which cannot
be restrained on account of the legal inability
to affect proper confinement or punishment;
through the vigilance of our police, many of
these boys have been arrested; some fire.
quently, but in short time are again set at
large, with no improvement of morals, defy
ing the weak meshes of the law, they rush
on to greater or more desperate crimes, and
have additional confidence in the certainty
of escape.
Humanity rcvOlts at the use of the cells of
the City Hall as place of Imprisonment,
even for those most depraved; and confne-
ment of children in the prison at New Castle
is only affording additional instruction in
vicious propensities, by the contact and asso.
citation of those more advanced in years and
mAtured in vice. The extreme susceptibility
of the juvenile mind to receive and adopt
pernicious principles, is so great that the
child should always he shielded from the
liability of mingling with those who would
thus rejoice in their ability to cOntaminate
them.


Looking tc the value and importance OF
the undertaking, the committee regret the
provision was not made for County insti.
tuition, and thus larger scope given to its
benevolent purposes.


The bill prescribes the building shall be-
erected in the city of Wilmington. We
frankly admit that the inmates of such a
refuge are most probable to arise or be pro.
duced in cities, towns and villages, where
vice is prospered by what it feeds on, hy
contact, association and example; but it is
not alone confined TO these localities; The
rural districts also have those who, either
from natural procliyities, or gross neglect in
education, are occasionally fit subjects for
restraint and care, and for whom such an
institute as contemplated could be profitably
and beneficially used


The location should therefore be selected
at some point remote from the densely popu.
lated portion Of the county, where the child's
mind may be nursed and schoOled under the
fostering care of benevolent and humane
oyerseers, removed from pernicous example
and precept, until ii shall be weaned from
its habits Of vice, and made good and fittipp
member of society


The act Of incorporation would seem 10
contemplate the erection OF charity lol
public usefulness, and make it dependent on
private or voluntary subscription for its
maintenance project at all times unstable
and uncertain. In the opinion of the com
mittee this affords no security for Its perma
nency, however laudable and worthy the
object, and however strongly ii is calculated
to enlist the feelings of the humane, 1t has
no fixed and durable dependence-mutation
is stamped on its walls, Life
terminates, citizens change their localities
interest abates, and the contributors of TO-DAY
may not be those of future period.


some other plan for its support must there
lore be adopted; some regular endowment
must be effected, to insure its duration.


To provide building even temporary, and
maintain and clothe twelve or fifteen iuve
niles, with the requisite officers and assist
ants, or helps, with fuel and light, could moi
be accomplished for less sum than three
thousand dollars for the first year, and sub
sequent years would only be lessened by the
supply of bedding and furniture, which woul(
endure from year to year. with occasiona
repairs, whilst 1t is but reasonable to pssumC
that as the population of the city increases
the number of inmates would In ali proba'
bility increARp. and from, tllis aanrra ~. -
mentatIon of expenses is TO be anprehended


II would therefore seem absolutely certain
that either the State, the county, or the city,
would have to be relied on. If made a
State institution, then the Legislature must
provide; County institution, the Levy Court
would be the source from which aid would
De expected. derived from general taxation,
If City institution, exclusively then the
City Council


We would not desire to increase the take,
which are already sufficiently high on US
but the imperative nature of the charity SC
demanded for our present and future security
and happiness, and the welfare of those who
whilst yet young in years, are becoming
rapidly old in iniquity, would Justify Sigh
increase OF perhaps not more than half pei
cent on the rental value, which if the refug,
succeed will be safe investment, with re
munerative interest, in the pecuniary ant
personal safety which would ensue.


Inc Committee, upon view of the whol,
SUBJECT, have arrived at the conclusion tina
IL IS expedlent now to accept the charter, ant
organize by the election OF managers unde
It's PROVISIONS, and that the managers, whel
elected, bring the subject speedily and earn
| estly before the City Council. and apply fo
an appropriation for one year sufficient lpol
an economical estimate, to rent a building
and provide for the care and support of sucl
Juveniles as shall be committed to their charg
pursuant to the Charter. 1t is contemplated
in this recommendation, to commence tn
enterprise in moderate and experimenta
manner, TO provide as best we can for tn
present and pressing exigency. 1t is in thi
way that the subject will be most effectuall,
brought before the attention of the public
and the necessity and benefits OF such al
institution be fully impressed on the mind
oil the rejecting; should the City Counci
commit itself to the enterprise, they will no
hghtly abandon 1t, and the appropriation,
ludlclaiiy used, will certainly be continued
This will form the basis OF an endowment
to which we may hope the county, after tn
enterprise is put into practical operation, vii
add moderate annual appropriation; an
when the institution shall have become sufli
ciently established, and be so conducted n
10 promise permanent good results, it wi
attract the favor and aid of the benevolent
in the way Of donations and beouests, an
thus 1t may come to be placed on a firm an
permanent foundation


1t is somewhat in this manner, that, as
seems to the committee, such an enterpris
must commence and progress; small begin
mn with gradual developmentandg growth
is the usual history of benevolent institutions
even those which have attained the larges
success.


The project now in hand will be starte
with difficulty, and will progress under dis
couragements; butts importance and benefit
will become manifest, ard will so impres
rejecting minds that perseverance in tn
effort must, after time, bring certain sue
cess; and the happy results of such success
will be an abundant reward to them who ca
then reflect that they were among the frs
ha -,