bushels of beets, 40 bushels of carrots, 100 bushels of turnips, and about twenty other kinds of vegetables.

Since the opening of the new buildings one year ago the number of patients has increased to nearly one hundred and fifty, the number capable of doing work has grown in proportion, and there has been a considerable surplus of farm products over and above the immediate needs of the institution. These facts appear to me to be of great importance, and worthy of a wide dissemination among those interested in both the economic and medical aspects of sanatorium management.

IX.

Destitute and Neglected Children.

THE PROGRESS OF STATE CARE OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES.

BY C. D. RANDALL, COLDWATER, MICH.

This is the story of the state: the commonwealth has reached down its strong hand and lifted up the helpless children of the poor. To-day, brighter than ever before, the sacred words stand out in letters of living light: "He shall ... defend the children of the poor." This is the "children's age."

In 1871 Michigan assumed guardianship, care, control, and supervision of her dependent children. Was the movement a wise one? Would the idea progress, and would other states do likewise? Would the state do better than had been done? Could a great state, dealing with the high responsibilities incident to statehood, become the parent, the guardian of children, and discharge all duties attendant as tenderly and successfully as private or sectarian charity had? These were some of the questions of that hour. Michigan and other states have answered them in the affirmative.

The story of the kindness, generosity, and sacrifice of individual and church charity for children in all civilization is well known, and the great good done can never be fully told. But they could not pro

vide for all. Many yet suffered for an agency strong enough to supply means and wise enough to devise methods to guarantee to all dependent and ill-treated children their natural right to protection and education. The state alone could do that.

And state guardianship, care, control, and supervision have met the demand, and have given us the most humane and economical system of child-saving known. It is thirty-one years since Michigan,

the pioneer in this new field, proclaimed the doctrine that it was the duty and safety of the state to care directly for her dependent children. The success that has attended this movement in Michigan has been told at length in various sessions of this convention, and need not be repeated now.

This story of the state is to tell briefly the progress that has been made, in this country, in state care. If any progress has been made, in any modern form of child-saving, it is probably confined to the state movement. Surely, the system which has prevailed most in this country, that of the county poorhouse, does not progress. That is happily dying out. The subsidy system is limited to only two or three of our principal states, and is nowhere popular with the people. The states having the district system are anxiously seeking means to reduce child dependence. But the state system has progressed.

Leaving out of consideration the states that have in part inaugurated state care, without state homes, we find that, since Michigan established the State Public School for Dependent Children, over one-fourth of our states have assumed state guardianship, care, control, and supervision of dependent children with state homes.

In all there are now twelve state homes for these children, one established each two and one-half years since Michigan began her work.

Here is presented the roll of honor of the states which have adopted the state system with state homes:

The Kansas home was first established for children of soldiers, and

has not changed its name.

It will be noted that the state system has received its greatest ac

ceptance and adoption in the West, where the newer states have not been obstructed in reforms by ancient precedents and established interests, which sometimes retard progress in the East. In many respects the West is par excellence the land of reform.

It is not claimed that all states having state homes are directly indebted to Michigan for the state system. But in a marked degree the majority have adopted the Michigan laws and methods, while others largely reflect the influences of that system.

There is in them all a unity of plan and a purpose to accomplish the same end. In all the state assumes guardianship, care, control, and supervision of all the dependent children of the state during their minority, placing them in approved family homes, under contract providing for their good treatment, education, and some selfsupporting occupation.

Dependent children of both sexes, of sound mind and body, are admitted. All these homes are established and supported by the state. There are two exceptions. In Iowa the counties pay for the care of dependent children, and in Alabama delinquents are admitted on suspension of sentence. Girls and colored children are not admitted in the latter.

There are other matters of difference in details. Some admit children at two years as the minimum age and twelve as the maximum. One admits babes one week old, and one at birth. From two to twelve years appears to be the most popular. The law usually fixes the age, yet in some states the board names the age and establishes rules for admission and the management generally.

Where the Michigan system is the least complied with, there is much to be done to amend laws and complete methods. Two state homes admit crippled children who can care for themselves.

These homes appear to be doing satisfactory work, and are popular with the people. Some have been so recently established it will require experience to bring them up to a high standard of excellence, which they will doubtless reach in time, if they accomplish what they may under the state system.

Minnesota has followed very closely the Michigan system. When in 1886 the Minnesota State Public School was ready for the admission of children, its board asked the Michigan institution to recommend some gentleman for superintendent who was familiar with the work. Mr. Galen A. Merrill, assistant superintendent and state

agent of the Michigan school, was reluctantly parted with for that purpose. Mr. Merrill has been in charge of the Minnesota school since then, which is a high testimonial of his fitness and worth.

In Minnesota the admissions are from one to fifteen years. Babes under one year are taken, if requested by county commissioners. Cripples are admitted. The admissions are for dependence or illtreatment. In the school the children are supported and educated in the common school branches, in music, domestic science, sloyd, farming, and gardening. The average detention in the school is nine months. Those having physical defects remain longer. They are placed in families on indenture or by adoption, restored to parents, and, when found unfit for the school, are returned to their counties. The great care in selecting homes is worthy of remark. Having no county agents, as in Michigan, not less than six letters are written to parties knowing the applicant for the child.

If the reports are favorable, the home is then visited by one of the state agents of the school who makes the final decision. There are four state agents, one a lady. The influence of the school is to decrease child dependence. The number of children of sound mind and body, supported by the public, has decreased in five years 22 per cent., while the population has increased in the same time II per

cent.

The experience of Minnesota and Michigan proves what may be done under this system.

Michigan has had the longer experience, and hence its success has been greater. The admissions are for dependence and ill-treatment. All are admitted by order of the probate courts, which pass on the question of dependence or ill-treatment. The ages are four months to twelve years, and the board may receive at birth. Those under four months may soon be admitted. The baby cottage is always quite attractive, and from it the little babes soon find the best of homes. In each county there is an agent of the State Board of Corrections and Charities who inspects and approves homes. There is one state agent who is constantly in the field visiting the indentured children, to protect their rights wherever necessary and to aid in securing other homes. The children are supervised during minority by the state and county agents, to secure kind treatment as members of the family, education, and being taught some useful occupation. The law prohibits the retention of