PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD. The Board here presents a summary of its official proceedings from the time of issuing the last Annual Report. Regular Monthly Meeting, Saturday, January 6, 1900. Report of Committee of General Visitation and Inspection, showing visits to the County Truant Schools at Springfield, Oakdale, Walpole, Chelmsford, and Lawrence, and the temporary homes for children at Ludlow and Springfield. Reports of Standing Committees, including reports of Heads of Divisions, report of revocation of permits to be at liberty from the State Farm, cases of release on probation from the State Farm under the rules, and adoption of recommendations involving action on applications for discharge of inmates of the State Farm and children in the custody of the Board, and on petitions for licenses to maintain boarding-houses for infants. Appointment of the Chairman, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Fox, Mr. Pratt, and Mr. Nourse, as a Committee to appear before any Committees of the Legislature on matters of concern to the Board. Appointment of Charles A. Colcord and Thomas M. Doane as agents of the Board to prosecute complaints under the provisions of chapter 258 of the Acts of 1884, being An Act concerning Commitments to the State Farm. Special Meeting, Saturday, January 20, 1900. Report of Executive Committee: announcement of the death of Stephen C. Wrightington, Superintendent of State Adult Poor, and Vote, That until further order the business of the Division of State Adult Poor be conducted by the Deputy Superintendents of that Division. The following Memorial, presented by Mr. Donnelly, was unanimously adopted : MEMORIAL. The members of this Board, and all others active and earnest in the cause of charity in the Commonwealth, have learned with profound regret of the death of Stephen C. Wrightington, who for two-score years rendered rare service to the State, as one of her most useful executive officers in her charitable work. He brought to the discharge of his duties unusual intelligence, and possessed an exceptional knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth regarding the administration of the State and municipal charities. Qualified by long experience in his labors, he exercised in his entire work a sound and ripened judgment. Of recent years he was often unjustly assailed in public by those who misunderstood his efforts and misrepresented his motives. These annual attacks of him, while he was battling against a fatal disease, saddened his later life, and probably hastened his end, but could not detract from his good name as an officer of the State, loyal to her interests, and incorruptible in his conduct. By the death of Stephen C. Wrightington the State has lost a trusted and most useful servant and officer, esteemed by the members of this Board for his remarkable fitness for the duties imposed upon him, and for his faithful discharge of them throughout his career in the public service. The members of the Board join with his neighbors and many friends in expressing their deepest sympathy with the family of Mr. Wrightington in their bereavement, and desire the Clerk of the Board to transmit a copy of these minutes to the family, as a public memorial of the sorrow of those associated with the charities of the State at his decease, and as some evidence of the appreciation of his services to Massachusetts, by those who knew them well. Reference of special cases in the Division of State Adult Poor to the Executive Committee until further order. Regular Monthly Meeting, Saturday, February 3, 1900. Report of Executive Committee: appointment of Frank W. Goodhue as clerk and messenger in the Division of State Adult Poor. Report of Committee of General Visitation and Inspection, showing visits to the Suffolk County Truant School, the State Almshouse, and the State Farm. Reports of Standing Committees, including reports of Heads of Divisions, etc. Hearing on petition for return of a ward to her former boardingplace. Adjourned Meeting, Friday, February 9, 1900. Consideration of complaint of the School Committee of Chester, Vt., regarding conduct of certain wards of the State placed in Chester. |