This is the first time, since the State began making appropriations for charitable institutions, that any committee of the Legislature has visited them with a view to ascertaining their exact condition. The method of tacking on to the general appropriation bill this society and that association is familiar to legislators. The Legislature has for years been making appropriations without any knowledge of the institutions they proposed to make beneficiaries. Relief societies have been hastily formed, a Board of Trustees called together, and an organization formed, for the purpose of obtaining a share of the money which was being scattered broadcast. The people of one city or county, seeing themselves taxed to support a relief society in another county, felt as though they had an equal right to subsidy, and according to all rules of equity probably have. And

this is one of the tendencies of appropriating money, raised by taxing the property of the entire State, to the use and benefit of a particular city, town, or county.) If the citizens of Placer County have no relief societies, they may well object to being taxed for the support of two societies in an adjoining county. While recognizing the enterprise, unselfishness, and charity of the ladies who have charge of these institutions, and who devote their time without pay to the work of doing good, your committee must protest, that in principle, this is all wrong, and that the State has no right to spend the people's money in any such manner. These local societies are doing a great good, but they should be supported by the people of the locality where the charity is dispensed, and not out of the State treasury. If it goes on as it has in the past, every city, town, and hamlet in the State may come to the Legislature, present their certificates of incorporation, and with just as much justice claim their equal proportions of subsidy. We, therefore recommend that they be cut off, with the exception of the Howard Benevolent Association of Sacramento, the reasons for which appear in the special report on that institution, and made a part of this report, and also with the exception of the San Francisco Ladies' Protection and Relief Society, which has one hundred and eighty orphans, and the Oakland Ladies' Relief Society, which supports forty orphans, but which, on account of their names, would not appear to be orphan asylums.

There is another class of beneficiaries, which are mentioned in detail hereafter, which do not even have the merit of the relief societies. We refer now to private hospitals, or so-called State hospitals, managed and conducted in the interest of some physician, or set of physicians, and around whom, by means of these appropriations, the State throws the mantle of protection, giving them not only money to insure their salaries, but granting them the prestige of being at the head of a State medical institution, so-called. For the purpose of being classed as charitable hospitals, where the State's poor and sick may fly for refuge and medical treatment, three or four free beds are set apart, and a certain number of free patients are treated, in order to enable them to claim State aid. There is probably not one of the leading physicians of the State who does not, in the ordinary course of his practice, treat more poor persons without pay, or expectation of pay, than any of the hospitals we have mentioned. If it is the will of the Legislature that all the indigent sick should be cared for by the State, then, as a matter of economy, they should be housed together in one building, with but one set of officers, and one set of physicians and nurses, but one rent to pay, instead of being scattered around, three or four in one place, a dozen in another, and so on. Most of these hospitals and technical institutions are in San Francisco, where there is both an alms-house and hospital, either of which have as good, if not better, accommodations for the indigent sick, and the aged and infirm, than any hospital now receiving State aid bestows upon its free patients. We are satisfied that it is not through feelings of philanthropy that these hospitals are furnished with a certain number of free beds. We believe that one thousand dollars a year given by the State to a hospital with but ten free beds, and those not full, will pay a fair price for the free patients, and there will be a good profit remaining. We shall earnestly protest against any further appropriations of moneys in this direction.

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ORPHAN ASYLUMS.

If the Legislature has acted unwisely in bestowing money to unworthy institutions to some extent, it has done a wise act, and one that is daily bearing, and will continue to bear, good fruits, in caring for the orphans. It is bread cast upon the waters that will surely return. Your committee have made a thorough and critical examination of all of the orphan asylums in the State, except three, one at Santa Barbara, one at San Jaun, and one at Petaluma, which, Excluding for reasons before stated, they were unable to reach. these, we found the number of whole and half orphans, and abandoned children, not including foundlings, to be one thousand four hundred and thirty-four. These three counties have about one hundred, making a total of one thousand five hundred and thirty-four now receiving State aid. What is most astonishing is that the health record shows so small a percentage of deaths. In all this number of children there have been less than fifteen deaths during the past year, and little or no sickness. We found, in almost every one of these asylums, the most scrupulous cleanliness; and, what we consider most conducive to health, good drainage, good ventilation in the dormitories and school-rooms, and good food, In every one of these institutions education is a leading feature. When these children go forth into the world they will possess a knowledge of the common branches sufficient to carry them safely through. They are taught to work-the girls learning habits of industry, and being given practical instruction as to household duties, and the boys, in many instances, receiving practical instructions in the care of stock and the tilling of the soil. Thus, they are more easily provided with homes, and hundreds are every year adopted out, to grow up under the benign influence of home life. It is far easier and far cheaper to make good citizens in this manner than it is to restrain, by means of prison cells, unruly men and women.

Your committee would recommend, in this connection, that the law be so amended that no orphan asylum having a less number than twenty-five orphans, within the prescribed age, should be allowed to draw State aid, as the inmates of such could and should be transferred to larger institutions; and the Superintendent of each asylum should be required to make oath, in his quarterly statement to the Controller, setting forth the name, age, sex, nativity, of each inmate, and when admitted; and no orphan of the age of thirteen years and upward should be allowed State aid.)

Also, that all orphan asylums should be incorporated, or have responsible trustees, or in some manner become responsible, before being allowed to draw State aid.

This institution is situated near Fifth Street, on Mission, San Francisco. The objects and aims are expressed in the name-a place where abandoned and illegitimate children are taken and cared for, their lives saved, and the little waifs eventually provided with homes. This portion of the asylum is presided over by a very competent nurse and an assistant. It requires the utmost care to save the life of a newly-born child, which, perhaps, has been carried through the night air for a long distance and deposited on the door step in a naked condition. The number of children ranges from five to twenty-five. The total number of infants admitted since the commencement is three hundred and eighty-five. Of these two hundred and ten were born in the hospital, and one hundred and seventy-five were left at the door. About one hundred and twenty of these have been adopted out and provided with good homes. The number saved amounts to a little over fifty per cent. of the whole number. This will compare very favorably with other institutions of the kind in other countries.

The lying-in part of the building is now full to overflowing with young girls who have been seduced, and are now secreted from their friends, or by their friends. Formerly it was the custom to receive them whether they had money or not, but since the institution became involved in debt only those who can pay are received. The building is not such a one as would be best adapted for such a purpose, being in the very heart of the city, where the patients and children have little room for exercise, and where they dare not stir outside of the house for fear of being observed. Considering these disadvantages, the building is kept in excellent condition, the rooms are clean and well ventillated, and the victuals all that could be desired. There is no doubt but there is an urgent necessity for an asylum of this character in San Francisco. Girls who have been seduced, whether living far or near, fly to San Francisco for refuge. Unless they can find a shelter and aid they are lost and ruined. But whether the State is justified in appropriating money to a private institution, which has ceased to receive patients except for pay, is a question for the Legislature to decide. It would seem that an institution supported in part by the State should do something in return. It is true the matter of caring for these infants is not productive of

any revenue to the institution, but there should be some means, if it is to be a charitable institution, by which some provisions can be made for those who are without money.

The institution has received since its organization about twentyfive thousand dollars from donations-part of it cash. They now receive from the State three thousand dollars per annum. Dr. Benjamin F. Hardy is the physician in charge.

The committee examined the books critically, and found them kept in a systematic manner and easily understood. The amount received from patients during the year eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, two thousand six hundred and ninety-seven dollars and eighty-five cents; amount received from donations, three hundred and fifty-nine dollars and ninety-five cents. The amount of the debt owing by the institution is three thousand dollars.

CALIFORNIA STATE WOMAN'S HOSPITAL.

This hospital is situated at the corner of Twelfth and Howard streets, San Francisco. John Scott, M. D. is the Surgeon-in-Chief; Mrs. B. B. Redding is President of the Board of Lady Managers. The building is a commodious one, and is kept in good order throughout. It is especially devoted to the treatment of diseases peculiar to women. The patients are furnished with the comforts of a home during the time they remain for treatment, and are charged ten dollars a week. The expenses of conducting the hospital for the year eighteen hundred and seventy-seven were eight thousand eight hundred and sixtyfive dollars, of which five thousand four hundred and forty dollars have been received from patients, and two thousand dollars from the State of California. It is claimed by the Managers that six free beds are maintained for those who are too poor to pay anything, and in consideration of this fact they ask an increased appropriation from the State. We found upon examination that these beds were not all full, and that while a few are treated free the great majority have to pay their way. It is claimed that it costs, to maintain the six beds, two hundred and forty dollars a month. There is no doubt about the good that is accomplished by a medical hospital of any kind, but there is a very serious doubt, in our opinion, whether it is the province of the State to foster and build up private institutions of this character in every city and town in the State, for the sake of having six or eight or a dozen poor persons treated every month free. In other words, every county has as much right to demand subsidy for institutions of this kind as has San Francisco, and should the State undertake to establish one in every county she would soon find her treasury bankrupt. The maintenance of these six free beds, assuming that they were all full, costs this State two thousand dollars a year. There is in San Francisco a good hospital supported by the county, with the best of medical attendance. This is undoubtedly the proper place for all who are too poor to pay. If such institutions as the California State Woman's Hospital are crowded, as they seem to be, they ought to be self-sustaining. Your committee therefore, while commending the management, and the success which has attended the treatment of disease in this hospital, are of the opinion that the State should support and care for her indigent sick in a manner less expensive, if she is to care for them at all.

SAN FRANCISCO FEMALE HOSPITAL.

This is also a hospital for the treatment of diseases of women, and occasionally girls are received and cared for through confinement. It is located at Nine Hundred and Seventeen Clay Street, San Francisco, in a locality not at all suitable to the successful treatment of disease. The rooms are small and dark, and entirely unfitted for the purpose. At the time the committee visited the hospital there were twelve patients. Supposing that these twelve patients are all cared for free, which is not the case, it costs the State three thousand dollars a year to support twelve persons, or two hundred and fifty dollars a year each. This, in our opinion, is entirely without the scope of those institutions which are entitled to receive State aid. The County Hospital is the proper place for those who are unable to pay.

LITTLE SISTERS' INFANT SHELTER.

This asylum the committee found, after an arduous search, at Number Five Hundred and Twelve Minna Street, San Francisco. It is a two-story frame dwelling house, in a locality wholly unsuited for children. The objects of the proprietress, Mrs. Jane Temple, are these: There is one large room up stairs fitted up with cradles, chairs, and toys, where children are taken in and cared for during the daynot at night-while the mothers go out to day's work. There are on an average about fifteen children, whose mothers are charged from ten cents to twenty-five cents a day for their keeping. How, and by what means such an institution, with not even the guise of charity, run wholly as a private concern, ever came to be made a recipient of State alms, it is difficult to see. The annual appropriation has been one thousand dollars. Counting a maximum of fifteen children (whose mothers are compelled to pay for their keeping), that would make a per capita cost of sixty-six dollars for feeding these infants on gruel ten months out of the twenty-four. Your committee recommend that the "Little Sisters' Infant Shelter" be stricken from the roll of State charities.

OLD LADIES' HOME.

The Old Ladies' Home is situated on Rincon Hill, San Francisco, and is attached to St. Mary's Hospital, and is under the charge of the Sisters of Charity. There are now in the Home eighty old women, ranging in age from seventy to eighty-four years old, nearly all of them entirely helpless, some sick, some crippled, others palsied, and all as helpless as children. They are waited on carefully, their meals furnished in the rooms, and although the building is crowded, it is well kept, neat, clean, and healthy. They come there, some without money, and some with a few dollars. The Sisters enter into an agreement to keep them as long as they live. If they wish to leave at any time they are paid back all the money they paid in. Very few of them pay anything. The number cared for entitles the Home to a different kind of consideration from those institutions that have but ten or twelve patients. The Sisters who have charge receive no pay for their services whatever. The amount received from the State for the year ending June, eighteen hundred and seventy-six, was seven hundred and fifty dollars.

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THE SCANDINAVIAN LADIES' HOME.

This Home is also situated on Rincon Hill, San Francisco, and was built by the ladies of that nationality. It is kept up by donations, fairs, and other forms of charity, and its objects are precisely the same as those of the "Old Women's Home,"-to care for the aged and infirm females of that nationality. They have now about twenty inmates, a good building on Rincon Hill, which is in charge of the Board of Lady Managers and a Matron. The amount received from the State for the year ending June, eighteen hundred and seventyseven, was two hundred and fifty dollars, and your Committee are of the opinion that the appropriation for that amount should be discontinued, as it has but twenty patients, and many of them pay their way.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH HOME.

This institution, as its name indicates, is under the charge of the ladies of the Episcopal Church. They have a Matron and assistant to take charge of the Home, both on salaries. The objects are to care for aged and infirm females. There are twelve patients, ranging from sixty-eight to eighty years old, two of which pay their own way. It was supported liberally at one time by prominent members of the church, but the subscriptions have fallen off to such a degree that they are left to depend almost entirely upon the support received from the State. The Matron receives thirty dollars a month, the assistant twenty dollars, and the cook twelve dollars, making sixtytwo dollars a month for help. This is a very laudable kind of charity-caring for old ladies who are entirely incapable of doing anything for their own support—but it is by far too expensive a plan of relief to support a house, with all the expenses attendant, includ*ing so much help, for the purpose of taking care of only twelve persons, and that is all the Home can accommodate. This Home receives from the State five hundred dollars annually. Here again your committee would say that such piecemeal charity is ineffective and very expensive, and this appropriation be discontinued. The old ladies there now, who are not able to pay, can find good accommodations at the Alms-house.

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of inebriated women, who are placed there for the purpose of being cured. Many of these girls are sent there by the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, about eighty at present, and the institution is allowed fifteen dollars a month each for their maintenance. This makes it self-sustaining, so far as that class is concerned. The others are made up of children over fourteen years of age, the inebriated women, and girls who are received for confinement. During the past year about fifty girls have been admitted for confinement. They are shielded and cared for, and the children, when born, are sent to the St. Joseph Foundling Asylum. It was stated by the Sister in charge that in no case had one of these unfortunate girls ever presented herself at the house a second time. On account of improvements going on about the building, the dormitories were very much crowded, but when the new additions to the main building shall have been completed, there will be abundant accommodations. The sanitary condition of the building, situated on high ground, is excellent. This institution does not draw any per capita benefit from the State, depending on what the Legislature choose to give them. The amount now received annually from the State is two thousand five hundred dollars. While commending the objects to be attained, your committee are of the opinion that this must be classed with the Foundling Hospital, the California State Woman's Hospital, and others of that nature, which, while we can but acknowledge many of the benefits to be derived, we do not believe bear such a relation to the State as to be entitled to subsidy.

HOWARD BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

The Howard Benevolent Association may be considered almost as a national association. It is undoubtedly at the head of charitable societies in this State, and while it is located in Sacramento, may truly be said to be a State aid society, not confining its aid by any means to people of its own city. It is a regularly incorporated society, with a full Board of Trustees and officers. Following are the officers: President, Richard Dale; Secretary, Louis Bien; Treasurer, H. K. Snow; Steward, M. S. Cushman. To show something of the magnitude of the workings of the Howards, the following figures are taken from the books, showing the expenditures for the year eighteen hundred and seventy-seven: