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has been taken of it by the magistrates, who are thus given discretion.

The plan now proposed is an improvement upon the earlier attempt not only in that it insures that the court shall actually be established, but in many other details.

What will be accomplished by the change from the present system is the removal of the trial of youthful offenders from the degrading surroundings of trial for drunkenness, disorderly conduct and serious crime. This is especially desirable for those who are charged with petty violations of city ordinances, or with no worse fault than the destitution of their parents, and it must not be forgotten that those who are charged with serious misdemeanors or crimes may be entirely innocent. An examination in court room where only children are dealt with will inevitably be far less injurious to the self-respect of such children than a trial in a police court filled with spectators and occupied during the greater part of the day with the disposition of charges against hardened criminals. Special knowledge and sounder judgment would also come from the opportunity to specialize upon the disposition of children.

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One of the best features of the plan now suggested is the provision for a probation system under which the court, if it is of the opinion that the welfare of the child will be promoted thereby, may parole such child to the care of a probation officer for a term not to extend beyond the date upon which such

child would become eighteen years of age. If the child has been convicted of a misdemeanor the court may stay the execution of the sentence and may allow the child to remain under the care of its parents or guardians, subject to the oversight of the probation officer. The court may in connection with any such parole establish such terms and conditions as it may deem desirable, and the probation officer would be required to ascertain and report to the court whether the terms and conditions under which said child was permitted to remain with its parents or guardians are faithfully observed. The probation officer would also endeavor by friendly advice, counsel, and oversight to secure a faithful compliance with the terms and conditions imposed, and in this manner would secure such training and direction as the child may require. This plan with modifications is now in operation both in Boston and in Chicago with excellent results, and we believe that it would be well adapted to the needs of this city.

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The Sick Children's Mission of the Children's Aid Society, under the care of Mr. Geo. Calder, closed its activities for the summer September 15. During the season, which began June 15 and ended on the above date, this society treated in their homes about fifteen hundred sick children. Mr. Calder reports that the expense incurred in the treatment of these cases has been unusually large, since many of

the children had to be supplied with proper food. These children were supplied with food, because their parents could not get it for them, which fact Mr. Calder attributes to an exceptional lack of opportunity for employment. If this generalization is well founded, it would seem to indicate a need for somewhat more radical action than the supply of food. More aid in securing employment of a proper kind may be necessary.

The investigation, mentioned in our last issue of CHARITIES, of the discharge of Dennis Kenny, a dying consumptive, from the Metropolitan Hospital, has resulted in the suspension for thirty days of the physician issuing the discharge.

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In an interview with Superintendent Wm. B. O'Rourke, of Bellevue Hospital, it is learned that two new wards will be opened about October I, for the treatment of acute pulmonary tuberculous patients. These wards will accommodate about 50 patients. Other consumptive patients are treated in the general

medical ward.

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The St. Vincent de Paul Society sent on its fresh-air excursions dur

ing the summer, a total of over six hundred children, who went in groups of 100, each group remaining two weeks. These children were entertained at the Furman Mansion, Pelham Bay Park, Bay Chester. While at the above place,

the children were supervised for the society by a committee of ladies from New York who were assisted by two seminarians from the St. Joseph Seminary at Dunwoodie, N. Y.

The Canadian Conference of Charities met in convention at Toronto, September 27.

WORKROOMS FOR UNSKILLED WOMEN.

KATE BOND, CHAIRMAN.

Extract from the Annual Report of the Central Auxiliary Committee of Women and of the Committee on Workrooms for Unskilled Women, for the year ending June 30, 1900.

It is with great satisfaction that the Committee reviews its efforts of the last year; made to change the habits of dependent women and to improve their condition.

The power of honest labor to induce self-respect, and to awaken in the untutored mind a desire to earn the essentials of home comfort, has been tested.

The old, the afflicted, and the

needy of all ages and of many nationalities have found place and employment at the "Workrooms for Unskilled Women" during this year, as always since the opening of the institution. No unruly spirit has prevailed among the beneficiaries. On the contrary, the kindly interest of the matrons has evoked confidence from these dependent souls, and the spark of hope which has smouldered beneath their burdens of want, sorrow, and lack of knowledge has often

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WORKROOMS FOR UNSKILLED WOMEN, 516 WEST TWENTY-EIGHTH STREET.

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formed into a tidy parent with clear complexion and well dressed person we are encouraged to believe that a new hope has shown in this woman's life, the fruits of which are the cleanliness of her children and of her "rooms," and the willingness to be taught how to work well, and to earn honest self-support.

It is for such hopeful individuals that we plead. To secure possible development into independence they should be kept for a time under the good influence exerted at the workrooms. Hence employment that will tend to develop skill and will secure its consequent compensation should be devised.

The Manufacturers' Association of New York has founded a $500 scholarship; its purpose being to encourage young men of ability to gain a broader industrial education. The association believes that young men of such training should be available for the developing of the

material resources of our country. The proposition for such a scholarship was suggested by Ludwig Nissen, president of the association, at a meeting of the board of directors on April 2 last.

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Circulars which promote lottery schemes, known as "endless chains," have been refused transmission through the mails by Postmaster Van Cott, who is acting under orders received from the Post Office Department in Washington. The Attorney-General has held that at least two classes of these schemes are lotteries. Mr. Van Cott, of the New York Post Office, does not believe that "endless chains" will be prohibited if they are purely of a charitable nature. The decision of the latter question, however, will rest with the postal authorities in Washington. It is to be hoped that Mr. Van Cott is mistaken.

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The special commission appointed by Governor Roosevelt has selected Lake Clear, in the Adirondacks, as a building site for the State Hospital for Consumptives. This selection, however, is subject to the approval of the Forest Preserve Board and the State Board of Health under

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The St. Andrew's Society, which aims to care for the poor and unfortunate Scotch in New York, assists on an average over two hundred persons monthly. About one hundred persons are on the monthly pension list. An average of one hundred transient men who are stranded are assisted each month. These men are sent to lodging houses and are assisted in procuring employment. If they show any spirit or desire to be supported by charity they are referred to the woodyard. Other aid in the form of groceries, food, and employment is extended to needy families.

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Mr. Mullen, of Cincinnati, Ohio, introduced recently an ordinance, at a meeting of the board of legislation of that city, requiring those who are responsible for tenement-house management to place a tub bath. which must be accompanied by a shower-bath attachment, on each floor of tenement houses under their control. The bath room must have an entrance from a hallway and not from adjoining rooms; it must also be constructed of non-absorbant materials and supplied with a proper system of plumbing. The inspector of buildings is to be responsible for the carrying out of this measure. After a heated discussion the, measure was referred to a committee.

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March 1, 1899. It is the aim of this bureau to place destitute, dependent, or neglected children in family homes and to do such other works as may benefit them. From the above time until June 1, 1900, the Bureau received 53 applications for the adoption of girls and 14 for boys. The children placed in homes were: Girls, by adoption, 15; boys, by adoption, 8. The number placed for possible adoption and help was 92, of which 21 were girls and 65 boys. The total number of children placed out was 115.

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Civil service examinations for the state and county service will be held in various cities throughout the state, October 20, 1900. Examinations for the following positions in state charitable and penal institutions will be given :

(1.) Officer, charitable institutions. Open to men and women. This examination includes matrons, supervisors, watchmen, and all officers doing guard duty or having charge of inmates in the State Industrial School, Houses of Refuge, and all charitable and penal institutions, except male guards and keepers in prisons, jails, reformatories, and penitentiaries for adults. (2.) Physical instructor State School for Blind at Batavia, open to men only. (3.) Physician, first and second grades, including all positions as physicians in state and county hospitals and institutions.

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Inspector Robert W. Hill, in submitting his annual report to the

State Board of Charities on the public charities of the city of New York, says:

The institutions should be relieved from the presence of all unpaid help other than convalescent patients. It is a serious mistake to keep the women needing temporary shelter in the same building with vagrant men. There are never very vagrant men. many of the women at one time, and a small building, in every way suitable, might easily be obtained. The building now used by the Emergency Hospital could be fitted up for such purpose.

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Bequests of $5,000 each were made to the following institutions by the will of the late George D. Sweetser: New York Skin and Cancer Hos

pital; New York Society for the Suppression of Vice; Society for the Relief of Ruptured and Crippled; New York Infant Asylum; House of Rest for Consumptives; Woman's Hospital; New York Christian Home for Intemperate Men; Sheltering Arms; Colored Home; Home for Incurables; Children's Aid Society; Howard Mission for Little Wanderers; and the Five Points House of Industry.

Mrs. Jessie Vanzill Belden has been appointed by Governor Roosevelt as a member of the board of managers of the Refuge for Women at Hudson.

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The New York Truant School will open its fall session October 1.

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