^J^ %. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) •^ /. // y^

TO Tiir-; EXECUTIVE OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC AT ITS SITTING OF THE 29tli OF MARCH 1892 rx THE XAMK OF THE HOSPICE SAINT-CHARLES DE QUEBEC in Rev. Messire BERNIEE & J. A. CHARLEBOiS, N. P. ■|if I iff-- I I ! ■ !'•! 'I v-] I, I til .-i'3( •. ^ I i $■ ■•-- ■''•*■■ Ml Pri'iii/'cr, (iflllhiiifll, m I Tlio niiiso of pom- iuitl iibiunlonod rlilldi-ou is (>vory one's (•iiiisc. This is why, in answer to the repeated ri-qiiests (tf Rev. Mr. liernier, I loiive my aociistonied rnli' to address yon. r do not intend to make a speeeli. !»ut merely to snh- mit you a tew I'oniarks witli rot'erenee to tlie laws iivtvei'nin^- onr lletbrmatory and Indus trial Schools, and. at the sani(» time, to expose as briefly as possible the olijeiMions whi<-]i the (.allies of the Good Shepherd have to the e.)ndition otall'iirs created by tlie new le^'islation. The lietter to understand the present aspee: of the tpies- tion, 1 consider it necessary to state the law as ir existcil previous to 18il2 ; we will then pass to the law as it now exists since the amendiuiMits adopted at tlie sessions of l.S'.li' and 1S0:1. L 't us lirst studv the law which i>-nverns IJeforniatorv , n''';"iiiuiui.v S(diools. AVe lind it at articles -JS!)! and i'ollowin,u\ and articles :;174 and i'oUowinii' ot the Revised Sta'ntes oi" the Province of (Quebec. The U 't^)rnia.toiy 8;ho,)!s are e^tablisliel to provide a J'^^;i;';' "' "'" better disei|)line for juvenile ott'enders of both sexes, under 10 years of a<:;e, sentenced to inii>rlsonment ai'tev com- mitliui; an otfenee and to save them, if possible, fi-om the contamination to which they would be exposed if they were teiiteneed to p.ii. their tinxc of detention in a cornnion gaol. ii » m I' '.si 'M ii'i {' r. ii 1 * li 1 r. i i •Hi'fl 2 Those 8cliools jiro ostabli.slicd in virtuo of a ocrtilioato Oi«nii.-';iti..ii .yraiiti'd hy tlio Lieutonant-Govcnior — the (liroctorrihavctlu'iiicit ..i ii..- it. powers ota goxci'iiorof'a prison ; — witliiii ein'lit days from llic' ' iiiilii'isoiiiiic'iit of an oifbiider, tlio dirootors ai\' bound toyivi' nolicc to tlie rroviiicial Secrutai'v ; — tlie dirccttirs luav phuc I 111. tlic (U'linqnoids witli a poi.-'Oii ot oontidi'iioc, but such lioriiiissidu must Ix' roiicwi'd i-vcry throe months and may he (■ancelled hy the d'u'oetors, at any time, at xvi!h 'I'he Iiofonnatory Soltools nnist he inspootod at h^ast om-e a yeiir hy ou(^ of the prison inspectors. 'IMie delinquent was eontlned on tlie ordei' o|' a district niai'ihtrato of Justices of the peace het'ore whom the (^>Hbuder was ]iro.-eeute(L In lSi)2, the mo(h' of confinement was clianired and hy lln^ i.m d isna act rp5-')t) Victoria, chapter 1*7, tlie jiislice of tlio i»eaee of ',„'„' i'/!.r '','M:,r district ma.i4'istrate before wliom the case is tried is »)hli<;vd ";,',';,''''''"'" to take notes of tlio evidence which notes are aftcfwards liausmitt(.'d to the Provincial Socrotary. Tt is true that tin- man'istrate has [lowor to issue the ordoi' of commitment, haf Ihe iiornrnineiit is responsihle for tlic cost/ nj iiniintfii(tih-p. of the chilli oiil If if fin: /'i-nt-'iii'-i il Serrr/iiri/. liiisiiHj I'ifi oi>ii)ioii oil tlir, (lo'iiiiienls sent la him, in/orniH thf. iliitdoys: (ift/w /ufor/iidlori/ Sr/mol t/i it t!if;i cait /: , J' \ II m '.ii "A. i mi It'' " 5.' 'I Ir; [hi- hi' KA .,' II' T^- i T "• ' ^' : ^ it ■ *'w4 * 1 ' 1 It ii 1 1 ^t ■ t^ - 1 i i' i' 1 i II. t 1 1 1 i i M i ■: 1 y I 2 I i m 111 my ]innil)Io oi.inion, I do not think that the justifos of tlic |i('ii«'0 oi' tlic niniiistriitc tivinn' ii Juvenile oU'ender ninlcr the piMvisions uftlie ('(xh'arc lioiiinh in onh-r to iniprisoii tlie olK'ii(h>r, to suliniit tlii'ir sentence to the Jiidgnieiit in revi- sion oftlie I'l'iiviiieiiil Seeretary. Tliis sliitule .'ilso contains otiiei' i)rovisions wliieli do not fitlect tlie iiderests jit stake ill this case. I now iir(;t'eed to examine tlie laws i;'()\(,'rnin_i;' Tiidiislrial I'-in ni'i Sc]iool> as contained in articles OliiT and folluwinu' of the' " " h'evised Stadites I'. (,». Tlie fndnstrial, like the lieforniatorv, School is estahlished liy a certillento o-i'iinte(l Ity the iiieiilenant CJovei'iior. One ol" the iirison insjieetors is selectt-d hy tlu' Lieutenant (lovt'rnor to insiiect the Industrial School- — the Lieiiteiiaiit (iovernor ill Council may i, -sociale aiir>ther |iersoii with him - the liidiisirial Schools mn-1 he iiis]iected oiico a vear. TJinh'r tills law, the cliildreii wlio could he coiiliiieil in (-' iisvurciri:- f I . , , , , , iln-ll II til cull il IndnKt rnil Schools, were sent tlu're on the followinii'ix! roi linoiin formalities : *' I. Two rate iiayer.s (jould hriiii;' hefore two jiistleos oi' the peace (n- mau'i.-trate any chilil under 12 vears : ('/) If he was liitlu'rless or motherless and if the siir\ivinu- jiaieiit was disorderly in coinhiet ; (//) If file |iareiits were criminals sent to the peiiitontiary ; (r) If, ill I'iilu'r case, the" child liad no means of siii>i>ort and lio relative Ixinnd to sii]H>ort him ; If llu\jnd_«i'e, after weii^'hinu; the evidence, fniind that the eliild came, undei- tin- iirescrilied conditions, heiL;:ave the order to send him at once to the Iiuliistrial School ; ir. 'i'lie father or mother could likewise have any viei«)iis child whom tlu'y could not control, conlined on an (U'der of a niaii'istrate, hut the latter gave this order only after ha vine,- received a certain deiiosit from the parents to /over (he cost ot the ehihrs keep tor one month, over and ahove th«' ]iro- vincial eontrihiitioii ; Iff. Tho mayor ot n municii)ality with the 'aiitlioriz-ation of the council of such miiiiii'ij.ality coiild also hrini>; Itefore a m ■si-. 1711 m m It! §9* \ A' ' 11 m ' I m lllli 1 j?i(.a life' iiistii't' (if ilif iiciu'c or iiiiiiiist mtc, miiv cliilil mi(K'r \1 vonvrf olun'c who, owiiii;' tot lie v-oiitiiiual illiii'ssor cxhviiu' pow rty or vicious lml)its ol' liis |)iiivnts, ivt|iiirc(l tojjc protoctcij iiiid iisl< lliiit Hull cliild !)(- sent 1o iiii liidtistriiil School. (Ml sildicicMt lH'oiif. llic iiiiiii'isli'iitc onlcivd that ihi- child be coiiliiicd and in such case the iiuiiiicii»ality hccniiu' rcs|ioii- sihlc tor one haH'ol' the <'<»st of maintenance in virfiii' ot'lhis law, a child could not he contini'(l in an iMiniinicM I I , • I . . I I I I' 1 I- II :iii>l iiiii\iiiiiiiil industrial >>clio,iI lietorc lie was seven yeui's ot aj;\' iior c'ou ii I ,,!„,,,. „, ,..,,|. he he kept tliei'e atter he was \-2 vears old. uidesshis i »a i-i'U I s ;''■■" ^' ':'"""''' 1 • ' 111' I- itllllM.I III iindertooU to pay his hoard or unless he were pre\'eiited l. s. iVoiii Icavinu' throuuli illness or intirmily. 'I'his ni-ilcr to keep the child could he exeoiiled only al'tef liaviiiL',' het'ii appi'oved hy the j'l'oviiicial S.-ctrelai'v. The law, atler havinii' so provided lor the ileleiition ol the .m.mI.m.i ,ii-- children, laid down the I'ornialilies to he; ohscrved in the ''"''"' orders ol' discdiain'c. liave a cei'tain ri'C' .u rse a u'ainst niiinici- paliliesand intlividuals and afterwards determined the mode of discharsiv as follows : (ii) The Lieutenant < iovornor ci)uld order that a child ho 1ransferr<.') lie could likewisi' order that a (diild he dischari;vd from an industrial seliool eitlu'r ahsolutely oi' conditionally. In IcS.S^i and 18!)0 some i-hanii'es wen' made in the law l,c-i-.iai;..ii H'liverniiiii' Industrial and Uofonuatory Schools. Thus art." •■>,l:j■• » '• "' Matutcs as to the manner ot proceedmg for obtainmg tlu- ftrder and sidistitnt<>s tlie mode wliich I will explain as brief.y as possible. Till' eoni[ilaint is made before two justices of the peaci' or a magistrate, after notice given to the parents. Thejiistiee of the peace, if satisfied that the child comes under the prescribed conditions, does not give the order luit re|»orts to the Provincial Secretary to whom he sends bis n(»tes and a copy of the complaint. The Proviucial Secretai'v, after examining the documents sent to him, deeide-i whether the child is to be continiMl and ir is oidv after such examination that he signs the order of a order is tlu^ warrant which anthori/es the detention of tin' child. May 1 be ]ierinitted to observe here, in passing, that this S!,.\n e? i.r maclimery is e iin[ilicated and bicely to ofler swioiis draw- |„,..',r,i:ii . liaeUs wlien ])ut into practice. There will be no lack ot cases where the eontiuement of a child must bo etlecteil without delay and wlu-rt^ the i'acl . of refusing it will be a cruel act because it will prolong the t!uftering of a poor little being who has no protection beyond Ihat which tlu> State is pleased to give him. We have now <'onie to the law of last session wbidi I will t,e:;i hni.Mi endeavor 1(^ go over rajtidly with you. *lm m m ■f" II r' m m -iii; II * oniiM 1)0 placed out in a jirivatc iamily l>y the Dircc-tois nfi..ic is'i:;. ihc institution; this pcfinission could ho ivvokcil at anytime and the children so placed out wore under the sat'cifuard of the Directors of tlio school from which they came. It may he easily inia^'ined ihat the nnniber tor each srhool must naturally have 1»een linuted. Art. 31.")7 'I., amendiuti- art. :51.j7 of the Kevised Statutes, I'lann-ont ..| ' • _ c'lilili'iii iiiiili r •••ivcH to the Provincial Secretary the i>ower t(» phn-e out in ittfji-iitiion d '" • 1. •!• 1 •! 1 11 ■• 1 • IT IH'i:! : IHiwrr- privato laninu's, the cliihlrcn ah'eady <'onnne without consulting any omv I do uot wish in any way to rellect on the good I'aith of the Provincial Secretary nor on his desire fodo well, hut can he assure us that his successors in the future will not ahuse of these extraordinary powers, that they will devote the same attention and labor, as he, to the performance of his duties fowaids these little unfortunates. (See Appendix 1).) Having given, in as few words as possible, a synopsis of tlie legislation on Kehirmatory and Tndusitrial Scliools, I will now retrace my steps and expose the objections we have to oxistinn' h'uislalion. :] i' ,1 h J h.. i m ^•| M 111 in*' ii ^1 III I mmmmmmmmm 1 1 I..- iJoforo tlio sossioii of 1.S92, it \vn>; fi coninnnitivclv oii^v ^-'j^'^'" " 1 - • rca'licn. niiittcr to olttMiu julniissiiin to nolonuiitorv anil TiKliistriiil i'Kt'"-' "' u^-••• Scliools ; tliofi' may liavi' hiHMi almsi's, but wo think that these abnsos, it'anv lliere were, lia\e hei-n i^ivatly oxaijii^eratiMl. It was souii'lit to ilo away witli pivtenih'il al)Uses and, we may l)e jierniitteil to say, llie I'esult lias Ixvn Imt to I'all into the eont rary excess. Tn a nu'mui'ial wiiieh wc submitted to the I'l-ime Ministor nisas.ioiis , . . , . , 1 . r 1 lipsillt 111' l;l*t on tins same (piestion dnrnii^-tlie month ot .lannary, last weic-i^inion. said : '• Since the 1st July lS!t2 there lias not boon a sinii'le " admission to tlie Industrial School in (^ueliec ; a little !n'irl •'• may have Ikhmi admitted to the llot'ormatory Sidiool. Thi' •• same remark apjilies fo the IJet'ormatory and Industrial •• School of St. ,l()se|ih de la I )elivranei' do Jiuvis ; up to the " 2'Uh Xovember last, not a .-iuLjle child had boi'ii admitted '• to the lioformatory or Industrial School. Is it to that end '• that the Government wishes to maintain Ket'oi'matory and '• Industrial Schools ? " Can it be that in the whole district ol' Qu,-l>ee — whiidi for that purpose, 1 think, comprises all that pai't of the Province to the east of Three Rivers on one side of the ri\'er and Arthubaska on the other — theri- has not been during- that period of six months more than one child to send to the iJoformatory. It is dilKeult to belicvt' that in the whole of that vast extent of territory there has not boon, durin;;' (h.at periid, a sin2,'le (diild abandoned by its parents, a single (diild with driniken or vieions parents and in danger of being lost who should not liavi' been sent to the Industrial School. Terhaps some children who might not have had the right to go to the Industrial S.'hool hav(> been refused admission, but at the same time the admission has been prc\'ente(l of a nnmlier of childi'on, who for very grav(( i-easons shoidd have bt'on admitted. Still moi-e, under the ](retext o\ removing an abuse, children eon lined for some linu^ who shoidd not have been dis(diargeil, have been set at liboi'ly. In some eases, it was inlnnnani> ; in others, it was something worse, as we will shorlly prove. Ijot us study more closely the Ituv (Ui Industrial Schools. ui,;.i tiniKt.. it may poruaps not be madvisaltle to AWtw the didlinetion j, ,<, m If" "if f'i M *lt if m m m . -I I'M ml ZMSZ 11 _ n _ wliicli iiiiist !»(( iiiiiili' l)Ot\V(H'ii llic Ili'toniiiitory Scliool iind the [nil list rial School. If tlio Uot'onnatory School is useful, wo '•iiMt not o\-tn-look the tact that the TiulMstrial School is iioiio the less luM^cssary ami that some consider the Industrial School as :i nmn" useful in-ti(ution to society than the Itcforniatory Schdnl. The Ui'lonii ilorv Scliool recfivcs children w ho :iro alreaiiv , III _s>;uilty. The Industrial School receives children still innocent it' Imi in sciidus danu'cr of hecoiuini; crimiiial. 'I'he tirst,!,, assumes the ever i^ainful oliliu'atioii df iiunishiiiii- and the duty of reftiriniiiii', if i)(»ssihle ; the mis ' -n of the si'cond is to preserve threatened innocence and strtMiu'then it for future strn!>-<;'Ies. To I'esume, f would say that the object of the K'.'fornuitorv ScUool is to nudcir a j^'ood citi/eii out of a criminal ; the Industrial School jtivvenls \\> inmates from beconiin.!;' criminals ; one acts on minds already hliiilited, the other jirevents l»livrs of ovil associations, ol' bad exam[ile and ]ieniicious counsel, h'ate evil • tliev are only little uiifoi-iunates al)andoned by heart K-ss parents, or (juite little thinii;s whom lost women cannot properly brinn' up near them : they are children to be pitied but wliom no one can blamo. The consef|Uence of this definition is that if •the doors ot our Keformatory Schools should be o[ieii 1o our yoiiin;' ' od'eiiders, thost' of our Industrial Schools sliould be ol' as easv actH'Ss. i reu'i'ct to say, thai contrary, (o the opinion of idi who are autlioiiti(\-; on the subject, conli'ary lo llie recommenilations fi\Mpiently expri'ssed under nnniy toi'ins by the i>rison inspectors ajipoiuted and paid by the (b)vernmenl. ('hauii'es have been nnnle in existing- laws in which the /•('/.' 'and utilitv nfour Induslrial Schools si'cms to have been iii'iiored. I f on the one hand it. lias been soin;-ht to kt>ep ;i viii'ilant eve on admissions to our schools, on the other hand it has been sought as it were to close their doors. W'hat luis to be done to-day to get a chihl si'ut there / It is necessary to have an imiuiry before a magistrate or two justices of the peace who must take note.-, of the evidiMice ; senil a report with a co|iy ot the comi>laint totho Provincial Secretary who, in his til I'll, di'cides i.r jinrli whether tlie child is to be coii|iii('\. .31111 \m ■)3 li m 'M wmmm lii' =' > '1; 1 ■ V I !>.( It > : [1. i: Xotwitlif^taudiiiy: tlio coiiMdciuH' we iiinv luivc in tlu'siliility i>rili(' minister in ciiiii-u,!' ni' tliaf |)c|i!ivrnj(Mit, wi- tnko tlif liluM'ly (»f rtspt'cffnlly stating (lint wt- liuvo stronir doiilits as Ti) tin' I'flicaoy of siicli a system. Tlu' l"n»vincia! Sccictai'y Ir ^ too many tilings to »tc'ii|iy his attciititin to In- aMr to do jiistici' to tliosi' casos wliicli in many instaiieos have to ln> docidc'd [H'oin]»tIy. It nii'.st not Ik- lorj-'ottcn that tlic ivasons whioli render the adniisi^ion ot a eliihl to an Indusrrial School necessary are ncai'ly always nriicnt and rei|iiire that il he -al way of securing the jiroper worl-ht have retained tln' iDwcr which thev •'";'-"," had to ordor confinement in Industrial S,'hoo!s, hy iiiviny llu rhiin |M,»ei . Trovineial Se<'retarv the rii;'ht to revise tin- sentence of the niagisti'ates when, from infornitition ohtained, it would have heen ostahlished that the child shoidd not have ln'cn sent to the industrial Sclmol. \\'"lth lc<;'islatioii such as that which ii'(>verus us. entrance incoivi- ,,',,, ' , fi 1 nii'iHv-^ ti> in- to tlie ludu.-;triai Schools may hi' stopped wiieii we liUe, i>ut i,i-ir:.-. there is a danger of doing tliis without disciMiunent. 1 Avouhl go I'veii further and say that this legislation exposes the .\[inister, ovon if he was the most perfect of men, t(» he solieiteil to make admission to tlu'se schools a matter of political favour, in our eyes, the cause <»f lost anti ahandoned children isone which interests society to too high a degree to ho left for an instant at the mercy ot tlie Huctua. ti(Uis of political jiarties. Up tr> 18it:1, the legislation might have hcen detective :_^,. |;j;i;;;''';'j;;; hut, if I m IV h;' oermitted to resiteetfullveN'rtress iny (>i»inion, iiiMi-^uois I would say tha' that ot last session lias not imi>rovt'(l it. isi.'. Far from it, this legislation has introduced in our laws principles with reference to the manner of conducting our Industrial Schools wliich are diametrically op]»osed tocvery- thiiig which has heen written and saiti <*\\ *lu' snhject for tliirlv years. ii ! Hiil m hi ' v>i ■P— i i ■■M ' 1 ,1 k 4 4,'', '^\ f Hi II i^ — 10 _ Til cfrcct, tilt' iiiost alisoliifi' luiwfrs <;ivfii in iiiiv oin' Ai.-oiun. niiiii ill'*' iilwiivs 11:4 (liiiitferoiH loi' liiiii win) f'xt-rciises tlu'Hi lis I'or tlioso \vli(» urcsubjc'ottMl to llioiii. Not only can the ^[lnist('l• at his itleasiu'c coittiiicii chiM, siiMpond or rt'liisc siicli (•()nliiu'iiit'iil, iMit liL' niav it' Iu'cIiooho soikI a diild oithor to an I iidiHtrial school or intt) a private taniily oii such condi- tions and ti>r sin-li tiino as ho may think i»roi»cr. It' tlic report ol a Jiidt-c rccoiiinu'iids the inaxi'miin Icn^jfth ot con- llncniciit, the Secretary may, if pleases, tVt'c thecliihl. The sat'cii'iiard ])rovided hy the old law and which recpiired the ohlainiiiii; of an order of the liieiiteiiant-tioveriior in roinnil no lonj^er exists. if there be u:reat ohjoctions to the svstem hy wliich the i»ni,,,.i:,,.i. hi • •It '• • 1 • ' I • ' • II inini'liT rrovincial Secretary is c-nstitiiti'd judu;e in lirst and last (i.kin;.' .M! ... 11 .• <• t • ii 1 1 il ilrc'ii II iilcr liii rt'sort ot all causes ot C( •innemeiit in the scliool, there are,. ij||.„,,_ still more to his taking' direclly under his i-hara;e all the uhildreii in the I'rovinoe who are tu' who may hereafter heeontiiiccl in ihem. As a matter of i»rincii)le. we ohject to replacing the eclueation and control wlii(di a yoiiiii;" child would receivi' in onr Industrial Si-hools hy the cMliicatioii and control which might be given to him in any private family. We repeat that a minister has not e:i'> igh tim ■ t ) a't.-.rl •'^•' i- ■•'■ '■■' , ' , no I'll' It- ■•llllJ to llu' fate and wellare ot tlie ehddren ho may phu-e out in lo i.H.k iuiit various parts of tlie rrovince and wliom ho must, look after when he has [)laced ihemont, Mven if the iniiiiln'r were (c.dy iifty he would not tiiid a way and still less the leisure to altt'iid to the numerous details necessitated by tlie supervision of these children. And after all could any family, even with the best of cer>ili<'ates, always fidlill its obligations towards the child 'i Ainoiiii'st the families who pn-sent theiiisi'l\-es bel'ore tlie Secretary provided with a certiticale of respectability, is il not possible that s nne may have* olitained the certillcate by falsi' and fraudulent moans 'r And then what would be the fate of the unfortunate children, delivered over to the cujiidity ot nersons unworthy of i iig their [>rotectors, who, for the bread they will give them, will exact excessive labour from them or to fathers of families who will resjieet nothing, not even tlieinnoceneeof the cliildren <'ontbled to their care "r AVill the rroviiitial Secretary hear the complaiiitts of these tlir I'lliMiBii. i n iii 3 r i — 11 — imrniliiiiiil.' victims. t's|M'ciiillv wlu-n tlicy arc liiiii(ln' ni iiiilfs iiwiiy rioui I lie ciipiliil '! Iiis|n'fti(>ii is m-fcssjiry. Wy wliuhi iiinl li.iw will tlicsf iMiiiilirs willi wliuiii tin* i-liildri'ii arc iiiatcd, l.c iii>|i(v(r(l ? 'I'liis iiis|i('ftiuii. if i-iimctj out, will I'lHt soiiiclliiim,' t.) I lie I'rovintc in salarifn, Inivcllin;;, ('X|l('llrl^2.(|>. 41).'"'"'" tlir I iis|n'ctors sav : •■• lliindi't'ds of voiitli-; aiv now skilled i-n'rluiMit's, iroctd 'M'' ''"""i • _ _ _ (.'.iVIIIIIIl Mil workincn and Iioiu'st cili/cnsowinn' ciitii't'ly to tlicst- sidntols, i, ^|.vi,.,- wliicli iIu'v wore t'ortiinati' i'iioii sccnre a future in the society of lionest men. In tlie re|tort for 1S,'<') we find tlic loljowiiig' remarks on Kcfornnitory and Industrial .Selioiils, paii'cs " 'IMicrc iirc niiinl>crs of tlicse s(dioi)ls in all conntries wliieli are more or less siicces>rd the spirit of discipline; 4th the (pialities of the teachers and of t he directors. •'1 would oulv sav a few \V( as regards the two latter t \ •.; if I ! r 1 I ? i Ell PU il'i- in — ll> — (.'inist'rt, MS tlu?y Mi'f tlh' iiiosf iiii|toitiitir iiiid brst calfuliitt-d to ])i'()Vt' that Hilly |n'i'S(His ill rcliiiious ordors or a tow rxoop- tioiial hiyiucii aiv caiial)!!! ot" disidaviiiii" such dovoti'diicss, and deep iVHTiiitiS nl' charity, and sudi kindness tdoliicrs. In liic lirst phicc. as rcti^ai-ds tiic s|iirit of (liscijilino, — wh.il er of children there. There are I'lioiigh of them whom vicious and hi'arth'ss ]iarents ahandoii, give scandal to and lead to certain ]ierdition. 'Phis is what is iloiie to them and soon there will he hut the gaol for i-cfugc )f the hand ot charity does not come to their assistance hy ]M'ovidiiig religious instruction ti'ijm tlieiu, and (hies not turn them from their evil ways hy means of good advice and good I'xaniple, "' " Is it the education of a family, in niostinstanees unknown, which it is sought to suhslitute to that given hy these admirahh" ins'.itutions of which we have just s[)oken and in which the State has every possihle guanuitee that it is worthily represented with the, children coiiHdod to them and which it can control hy the yearly ins|»i'ctierhaps not aware of th(> ',',,,, rvio'iwom • r.'ports made hv its oilicers and did not foresee all the draw- ""•'"'"'■"'""' ha»'k;< which it wouhl meet in the carrvinu* out of the law. I ^^1 2s: '5: I V h M ' \ .1 'ill i;^_ h t f it" if; ?J i m — ]:] — I stated jiisf now (hat llio lei>'islatioii of 1S0:3. \vlii<-li u'avi- tin- rn»\in('ial Socivtaiy iHtwcr to (U'cidc, l»v liimscU, wlicii a child sshoidd hi> .>cctois. 'I'liosc who aiv charii'c I liy the < iovcrnniciit with the duly of iusjicctinur these schools jiave constantly advised the (Jovornnieiit to conic to an undtM'standini': with the diiector oi- din'ctress of the sch(tol hetofe grant! ni»' the di.-*ehai'"e of a , chil.l. In the i'('itoi-t ot' li^OD. wc find tin- followinu" at i»aii-e IH I : '■ Docs it not ajt|ieai' that it woidd he more |irn(h'nt to as|< thc nireetor once evory <[uartcM'. or e.very six weeks tor a list of the ehihlri'n who have distinijiiished tluTiHelves l.y their ^•()od eondiicr. and to tfrant them, accordint;- to their merits. from one to six months diminution of sentence. 'I'liis would he a powerfid incentive, tn induct; th • ]»!iitils to h^-havc themselves i»roj»erly : tiles.' rewards would also touch llu'ir hearts to such an <'Xteat tluit they would not leave thcscho)! without havinu' seriously amend(Ml their conduct. •• It is evident that this line ot action would lie the most just and the most likely to leail to i>'ood ivsults ; it woidd tU)uhlothe ascendancy of the. manai-'inu' statt". which woii'd exercise an extensive influence (»vt'r the hehaviour o| the children, tor the hope of obtainiiii:- thi' promised reward. wi as t(» the intention of the ins- pectors : '• Ii lias been [iroved a tlioiisand times ov«'r, that pardons ru.wiv.Mi.n. UTantedtoo soon and tooroadilv have invariahlv heen a cause IT, ""'"'' '."'^ of misforttine to those whom it was intended to favre- vious sanction and ajiproval of the Superior of tlie eslahlish- ment, and in case hi- should deem it expedient to witliold it:. 8 " 'in r ft ■nil I'M W i m (1 .>.^ I r IX'( • ' ■ ' ; ■!*! • ■I ' p ^Mi^ v» »l — 14 — liis coiisiMii. iiui until hiirh time as lie (tlic |»|.(irtnii('. Tlic |iiii' i-oconinn-udfil l-v tlii' iiis[K'ft(»rs who aiv tin- in .st c iniiKHcnt judsi\'s in tin-sc niat- t»!rs wlu-n they s|»i'ak- of th,' dis.diariiV's when made in an iiicoiisidoratc manner. K'epoit of ixs:',. |,. :t\,j " Tiie law should also authorl/e the diivct(»is not to u-ivi- |.,.;„,„,.-,l l»ack ivally rcl'ornied ehildivn to their i)aivnts when thcv juv '''''''"'" " ' '" f'crtani tiiat sueh parents are di-unkards. prortin-ates or'" ""'"'Hii.v ahandoned wouu-n. hceause returninu' them to sueh porsons ' "'"" would evidently cause these unlcu-tunatos to relapso into crlnio and place thom on the edo-e (tf rhc ahyss into which their luiworthy parents wish to prccipitatt- tlicni om-o more and further because it would render useless the expenditure of large sums of money by the < Jov»'n.meut in favour of the retorniation of these children ar..l sacrili-c the vears of car.' and solicitude of those who havechar-th and have lived honestly lon«>- enoui^h to be a]»leto walk alone in the [lath of honour ant' ikm'sohs wlio liiivo ill'Vntcd tllflllSt'IVl'S to (lie fJlMSC o|' tllCSl' iiiilordiiiiitfs wliosc I'mIc wc ;irc Mow coiisidiM-iliti- ;iiiiisi' iiiy iii'ii-iiiiu'iitsoii llic ojiiiiion ;iiid ri'|ioris of tiio olliccrs who ciijoy tli(^ coiiliih'WiT (tf the < !o\cniiiH'iit. As we h:i\i' )il-l x'L'li 1)\- till' cxtniffs ;iho\r (iIIoUmI. thi' , "V'"'"" "f . . , , . ■ lii-|pc'i-lor< o|iiiiioii of the iMsji.'ciors of houses of ih'ti'iition is oiitiri'lv in riouii.Mc i.. fiivour o|' oiii- inuMiiiiciil ; their o[iiiiioiis nri' ours, thoir iii!iiiii(>r ofjiKlgiiig iiiid iipiireciiitiiii;- thiii-i-s e :-iiu'idos \vith ouis. Mild to eoiuhat our itru-miu'uts it umst he (h'chuvd that the reports of thi- inspeetors whose expenses arc paid by the rro\iiice, have no weisi'ht wliatever and tliiit such inspeetions iire iin uiiueeessarv expense. Tlie diivetresses of the schools art- aeeused of kceimi-- " "''""''''J tlie eliildreii and ol desiring- to miiieeessarilv proloii"' their eojiHtieiuent for the sordid iiioti\e of inakiiin- more nujiiev. 1 will not stop to refute that oharge which is as unfounded us it is unjust. J will simply say that as tlie Sisters of the (lood Shepherd have devoted themselves to the work of refoiTiiiny (duldreii. they wish the work they have done to proiliiee fruits, that the money spent lor .'Javiiig tlieso children from moral I'uin he not needlessly s[ient : they desire thiit children t-xposed to return into the same sphere where they were found, he protected for a lonu'er time until thev have aerpiired enough strength, liave lived an honest life long enough to he able to walk sately in tlio path of honour and (hity. This maimer of judging the ipicstion is the only i-in-c nmn- truc one and it is hased on the opini(jn ot those who are an l'or,'e,!l!,'ui! '.'','". authority (.n tiie subject. I wdl now go further and sav that^'r/,'?;'',''''','''';. the statistics wiiich give the nnmlier of children disidiai'ired •"'' •''''»! i.-^. iVom the St. ("hiirles school of Quebec and the ciuises of their discliarge sliow that, last year, for the period extending from the month ot .\[invh IS't;^ to the month of Mar. -h iSO.'l. the 1!:!! Hi \ n \{ j > 1- H !« ^ H 1 I rf*l L V J ,1 ll' I i < Mi <* ittiai — in — miiiilicr of iliscliaricc^ tVuin tlir L't'loincitoiT iiml tVtuntlu- Iiidii-trial ScIum.Is \v;is S4 iiml ol'llii-; iiiiiiiIm'I' lil, tli:it is J.'» |ifi' fi'iif well- (lis(liiii-<;:i'(| licr.irc tlic cxiiinit.ifni ot'tlicir time, :it tlic rt'(|iit'st. <.r till' hircctivss i.l' the Sdionl ulm ha I siM'cccdccI ill |ila<'iiii:' lln-iii in safety. T'lit. w »• ai'c tdld lliat uc rffiiscd to obey llic onlci' ot' tlic 't'i'"-«'i t.> rroviiK-ial Sc.-rcfaiT oroiit<' to Xa|Mili'()ii Moi'iii. and tliat a ^' tlircatcnini;- Icllcr was i'c(|nlrcd to make lis oltt-y. To that we answer tliat. as dii'i'ri icsscs of a lioiisc of dctiMition. we wci'f ol(lii>t'ii to confonii to the law : (hat. in'cxioiis to last session, llic law rt'i|iiircd that every order for a diseliar<>-e he given hy the liieiit<'iianl-( io\-eriior : that |>ositi\<' orders from file Provincial Soeretai-y. dated the Jiid Anjinst ISSO, stated thai ehildren eonfiiK-d in the >eli(i(.l should he diseliarcrio(l has not e\|(ired (See dociinieiits .V. I>. ('.annexed.) As Eva Lahonti'-'s term liad not e.vpired and the oi'der foi- lior diseliarge made no • 'iitioii of any order in (•omiell, we had to reliise to o-ix-e her iip. ..\s the Department t()(d< iiiioii itself tlie res|ionsihility of the discdiai'in'e hy u second let tt-r dated the Jdtli .laiiiiary. we eom|ilied wifli that order as we Were no loMcjei- resp 'iisilih'. 'i'liere wa> tln'refore no nnwillino-lcss on the part of the directresses of the s«diool ; their rondiict was (|uitc reu'iilar, that nl the !><'partment was not. 1 have exposed the (pu'sti .ii I>y ii'ivin len'islatioii of 1S!)2 iiiidrr tlie idi'as which inspired it. The i)ietiire is a sad one and the story of liicsf unfortniies is sometimes painl'ul to relate. What \\v ari' alioiit to tell are facts in all their sorrowful rn.-..in<"ni«ii- realitV. c-.-s r.-s„l.in- Iriiiii oerhiiii 1. On the loth ^^ay 1S!)l', Dhuu'he Aiirore X au'ed »..i'kin,i? I'l'iie harely !•, was dis(diarrand father and grantl mother, her only interested relatives, she was of ■'■"I H,l -t— ««i» 4U_HUU»»»- Si, .'l :^ 1 1 5 ' i — 17 — iiisiiltord'uiiilt' and vi»'iitiirt rliiinicti'i' wIkm in contiift witli otliiT cliildi'cii. Tlio sii|u'rior('ss of tlu' asyliiin inlni'nu'il llu' lK'|tailiiK'iit of till' si-riuus t-lU'cts of nt noaiinwi'i' was lyivni to tlu'si' olMcrvutioiirt. Her old jijraiid parents i-anio 'ionu- wt'ck- after and coinpliiiiu'd to tlu' HUp ■ ioivss that tliov wd'e in tlcspair aliont tin- <*liild, tluit tlu'V .'onid no lonu'cr cxtTi-isc any conti'ol ovi'r lici', tlmt licr only idea was to i'sca|n' and rnii al»ont the stn'cts. wlndi slic still docs. ± On tlu'.'JOtli May 1892, Marie Lonise X a.^ed 1:5, eriii|tled and iieaf, was dis('liar<^et on false iin-tenees ; she took the ehild with luT into a disorderly Intiise. Ue[»resi>ntiiti()ns were made in time to tin- Department hy the snpcriore 's of the Asylum as to the sad late which would hcfall thi' ehihl' Moreover the child was intirm ami for that reason alone I In- law allowed the extension of her period of confim'ment. hut no lieed was paid either to the danjj;er of immorality nor to the intii'mity ; the iliseliartve was maintaiueil. Later on the child coniplained to the supei'ioress of the ill-ti'i'atment sin- was mad(- to undei'"() to induce- her to c uiimit evil. :5. On the L'Tth June, I'liilomenc- X a.ii(-d 10, left aft(-r tin- i-xpirption of lu-r term. She was wickt-d and ditlicult til manage; tli - c ):itiiiu:ilio:i of Inr «'ontinement was applied for and refused. Shi> was pla<-ed out in servi<-t' liuf runaway twice, she- is now on the streets, 4. On the llth didy, 1802, Marie Louise X a,i;-cd S, of iusul)f)rdinate eharacti-r. The pr(-vious refu.sals pn-vcnled any attempt at lurther r(>pro.sentations. '). Delima .\ , aji'ed 7, disehari>'cd on the oOth ;\nnMist ; a .•! ii.i ..r 7 she was ot instinctively immoral character, vicious and Inid ^^Jii'i'",,!',!,','",,','"^' no reliiti\i's. Xo one kn(»ws wher*- the mother is. tor a |on<>'"'',> i""''"' *" , ■ IllKC rli:c III time : she is helieved to he a lost woman. ii<"i'- The child was on the streets tor several weeks, going from one p<»lice station to another. Protection was refused her hy the mayor; the Govoniiiient always refused to contimi*- her term of confinement notwithstanding weighty reasons ; a lady tried to take her hut had to put her out at the end of foui' davs. She would still he on the streets were it not for >t ; ill f f- tt. if I' fl '\ . I t: ^ w. ri V.'.. 'i '' -h'^' ;?' :■ ■ $(:.. Vf' , 1^'* • 1 % ■ M: If ' ^>' ■ . ■ ' ^.■■\. WM" $ i> 1 iflfl It I — 18 — lli«' fliiirify of lilt' SiistiTs (if tlic (Jood Slu'plicrd, who ('(Mi- .M'iit»M| to take luT Wiirk lit'ciiiist; till' 'liiM luid no lioiiu' liiit till' strcotH. Wlioii she cnmoto tla'asyliiin slu* waH t'xliaiiHtod. Sjii> had rtlc|it for two ortlirtu- nitjflitsoii the woodoii <:;uard- Tiu- .ImM II r i.1 !■ A. I.' 11' II .• 1 i' 1 ;iiM»i'K ^'I'Vrnil iicMs ol the |>ii|ico station and Ik'<;i;«m1 Ikt tood from tin- ,,1^1,1, j, ,, 1 ml ill', |.Mi.«.ii(i..'. This sad story shows what |irocaiitions should bo takt-n licfoi'i' li'iantin!; a discharur. When the Department ifranls a disehariif it shoiiid ascertain whether the parents, ijiiMrd- ian or tutor will Ito there to roeeive the ehild ; it is absolute- ly neeessary that steps be taken to hand lu'r over to those persons. In a christian ami fivili/ed society, the ease of I),'Iini;i .V. should not 1»e repeateil. t'l. Alliertii \., ai;'ed 12, -itinnUe child jiassed herself off as her s stci' and as such <'laimed the ehild at the Department. In- loiiuation was asked by the latter and accurately y'ivi n by tin- • -uperioress. This did not however pr.'ve:il th.' mo Iier from . minn' on that very day t'» the asylum with a formal order from (he (Jovernment lo dischar<;e the chihl. 8, Blanche X , a'j,\' I 7, dischar<;ed «>:i the 18th (>ctobei', at the expiration of her term. This child had, with ditliculty, been removed tVom the baiu'fiil Inlliu'ucc of hei- mother who Was a drunkard ; she was handed over to Icr mother and has no diic to protect her. J). Azilda X , aged 10, dischart-vd on the 8th No- vember, term Mot exjiired. insubordinate character, no explan- ations iiiven. 10. KmmaX. parents iiidvnown, aged 14, disehargt'd ^ 'i'''' !'•'- . ' vcs ill'.' rt'liir- 011 28th March, 1892. Could not bo placed out owing to liermntorytoi/oto .. -1, 1. iTi. 1 i ic n llii' I'oiiiiiiiiii vieion.s conduct and msul)ordinate tdiaracter hehire tlit'..,„._ month of June. 1 1 I r )- I li *•. SI iNl ■ I!. ;i; tjiil p :■■! 1 ' :\ 1' ' t 1 S I ,11 v( ^. 4v- > if ^1 V 1? i f 1 1 ' ' i 1 (h ;*i 10 — i i ]lvv iiijisU'is tioui licr a\v:iyso(iii at'tfi'. Slio rliani-'r*! itlaces scvi'ial times and finally took to tlic strtH't on whit-li slir was a \iia;.- the eost of her im|U'isoninent and niainteiuiUiH' ? It costs lio cents a day at the]irison; it Would cost 18 at tlu' Ivcfoi-niatoi-y. The chihTs nuuals must he luotoetod : why then send lier to ii'aol in ]>retorenee'r 11. Amanchi X disehari>'e I'll VICIOUS uielniations, ha asylum with an ordor lor her discharii'e: that sister was luxler the iuHuence of li(|Uor. What con<'lusions are wo to <1 raw from the facts I have l»f:f«t,< oi till! >\-l<'lll. just placed heforo you? They are mimerous and not to detain y( u too loiii>- 1 will mention those which seem to u\o to hv the most important. 1. Too young children have heen replace! ii\ tht> sphere c; i .ii^n-.'-.it ,.',,'" 1 1 1 . I 1 1.1. Ill; lo litil li'om winch they were drawn. tluM>'l»y exposins;' tliem to lose ^i,,.,.,,,,,,,!!,,^,... the tVuit ot the sacririces made to pivvent them from hcing contaminali'd. I'y so doinsi' the Department has ♦•ompliod witli the letter hut not with tlu' *piiit ot the law. Tlu-se draw- hacks show once more the necessity there is tor ehaniiiui!," nur lei>'islat!on. 2. Willi a \icw to economv and to renu'dv what was iti'initis i.i ' , ' |)i'ip|i)nx fciii- thouu,'ht to he an ahuse, the Department has, in soiiio cases, iLioim-nt ..■ shortened, in an imprudent DUinner the term of detention oi some derni(pie-;ts without consultin_ii' the directress ot t!ie s(diool and s<>mctinies against her most ur-^eid, representa- tions: in others, tlu're was urgeid necessity for ])roloniiin if the teiin of eoidinemont of some children especially when iiijiriii i\v .sir/:, Ihit, for rea.sons which we i«>'nore, the Depart- ment has refused t(» avail itself of the law lo favour these unforlmiates. i i:il m lii UBW I v.' ' •.? I- 141 — :iO — ."41 ". Sotuo discliiU'n'cs liavi' bocn onlcivd widiotit takiiiti' tlii' i!'''""-*''' iKM'ossai'v iii't'ciUitioiis fitlicr t<) IiuikI ovit (lio cliildix'ii to »;iii<>u- iu.e<- tlK'ir itaroiitsur tutors ciiiiiihlc^ of siipportmi; tlu'in oi- iiitoii,,,,.. tlio hands of ri'sponsildc' jiersoiis disposed to imilortakc tlu'ir (•ai"<- and odiication, tlicri-liy, cxposiiiii- tln'sr children to he al»an(htn('d and even to hcins:,' w ithout shchfi'. 4. ThtM'epi'cscntations made l»y tlic ilii'ccti'css ot" th*' si-liool x.. lari i< 1 I - 1 • ' • ^ 11 ^'ivcii 111 ifiiic- havc not always Ixtii taken nito account ; it avouim sccni as.emiii..n- „r if it were tliouirlit t lat she could not iiavc any other motive!'""''"""" tliaii to improve the iinaneial position of her estaliii>linu'nt, Ai)i)lications liave hoon matle since tlie list Mav last. At Ai.-..:iiii- ' ' . ..." MI|.ll.Sii.l| III K'ast twenty cases liave occurreuehec liKhistrial Scliool h)r very special and serious reasons. Ife w;is refused like tlie others. To show the williuii'ness of the Nuns in the midst of these rnvesiiaa- difln-ulties. they submitted, without comi>laint, to tiie species cii.h.io.Si.i,,,,,!. of investiiiation which it was soiiyht to make ahont their aH'airs, contrary to Ijiw. to verify the correctness o|' tlieir reports. Tnformation wliich coiihl liave Ijceii ohtained hy eorres- li.viulnciin- ])ondeiuH' with the buperioress or ht. Lluu.es .Vsyhim or,,,,„;,i b,. throuii'li the inspector, was sought for hy scndini>- a ,v»>nng','',| j'^'p' J/j.V^^^^^^ man who wasnotauth(M'ized hy order in Council as lie slionld '''''• have Ikhmi done To jndii'e hy his C(Mi(hicl lie had neithi-r the ahility, tlu" discernment nor the prudence necessary t(» ]>erf<)rm a mission as ditticult as it was delicatv'. For over a week the children were questioned in a more or less discreet Ai. iinexpe- maiiner hy tliis Ci,>mmissioiier. He did not liesitati' diirin <;•„„,„ u -"em i» liis iiKpiiry to run the lisk oi'awakinu: in these yonnii- minds ;,l^','[|]-','j|]'"' the almost extinguislied ri>collection of shameful acts which"' occurred yours ago and which it would have boon better for some of these young offeiuh'is to liave left forever in ob'ivioii. Forgetful ot his duties and of tho respect due to a lady, ii« r.igeis the Superioress of the school then present, he pushed indis-|j,'",',*g*."'"','^', civtion, (T nrniht use a harsher ternO so far as to make one '■"•>• iKl I''* I L V i ;i i i 1 :|^' 1'*^' 1 » 1 1^1 iff-' lit' ^ Ifi II '■ill — 21 — of tlic iinuiitt's ii'latf the iii(lc'('«'nt assiiiill wliidi Iht iiiisciji- l)le fiitlicr liiul coiiiinitlcd oii her itcrsoii. I will Ki\\ no iiioro on that siil/n'ct to <|n:ility llw acts ami ilccds of tliat g't'iitU'iiiaii. Tliosf wlio lioai' mo will atlinit, that if no ciyiiiii' iiijii.stict' has liccn conuuittctl. no (lo('|t himii- liation inliiclefl *>n wonicn, then' has ccrtainlv lu'on an iiic- UMilaritT and a groat iiu[)nidoncc to say no niort-. ILas confnh'nco hcon lost in tlu'si' Xuns who, if they liavf dis|ilay('d too inuch zoal. havo doni' so thi'on's ! The Insneetor of these rdiools has not, to onr knowledtr*-, '''"' '""l"'- tailed m Ins duty, lie, a man of exporioneo and taet.aiid eoiild i.ic.|,.i' |.fiM.ii have "'i von the Govornment all the infornnitioii it re(|nireil '""*'"''"'■• withont hnrting- any one's feolintfs. \Vc tee) that if we have erreriva- tions and of arduous labour, and now wo are stopped by this new leg-islation ; our hesitation is such that after having pni- chascdthe Marine Hospital \voar(> debatini;' whether we have not gono too fast and whether all these changes, tho.--.c inquiries are not premonitory signs (tf an order which will soon be >erveil up(»n us to close our doors to thoso whom we have f* hitherto snecoun^d and whom we mn:it abandon U> their miserable biti'. In eoui'hision we respectfidly submit : 1. That the application nunle of the law in force ,ip to t'..ii.iii«ii.n. ISO.', has been an errorneons application which has led toiv',i.'"'' "^'" serious abuses which must be remedied. 2. That the discharges should be eonti'olled by a commis- sion consisting of the Inspi'ci.trs of Ivelbrmatoiy and Indns- ^*i i } \U: \i Ml •91 y lit. I ^* I,!' J' 1^ •)0 'h trial scIiooIh and luvsidod )»y llic» I'roviiicial Srcivtarv. 'I'liis (• pleases sbonld beabolislied and the eounniHsion above mentionod mig-ht Ite anthori/A-il to come toun understanding with the divoetors of the various schools as t(» placing out the childreu. ' 5. The present law should be ai.iended so as to favour the admisiiion into tlic Reformatory and Industrial Schools of the children of vicious, dishouest and drunken parents. t!. To protect children exi>osed to become vagrants tlic moral sense of municipalities must not be relied on and coii- scpiently art. 3140 (5o-5(; Vict., chap, -li)) should be amended s»o as to allow the mayoi- ol' a municipality to use the powers conferi'ed on him bv this iirticic without iv((uirin<>- the authorization of his council. 7. The judges who pi'eside at criminal terms should have power to send to Reformatory and Industrial schools the young children of persons sentenced for criminal offences and this at the expense of the municipality in which they reside, when it appears by the trial that these persons have com- mitted outrages or assaults on tlu-ir children, or when the i'ondiU't of the fathers, or motheis, or other persons bavin n' charge of them is so viciousor disorderly that there is reason to fear for theeducation ofthese childivn. This i)Owcr should be exercisel" tin- case with llu' »'vi(lcii('c iiiid flic ix-asmis lor tii\ iiiu,- tli onlcr. Tlic I'roviiifial Si'ci't'taiT iniiiflil liavf tlic |»o\\'(.!r t irvisc tliiil ordci'iii till' cvi'iit oftln' iiis]M'ctoro| tlicsc s(;li()ols r<'|iortiiig tlint tlic ivasons arc not suflicii'iit and in siudi casi- llic di'cisioii ol" tlic rioviiicial Secretary slioidd l»c notified !<> tlie Miasi'istrafes ami directors ot" the school an who would he anienahlc to ii line it" they lelnsed to come lor it. !'. 'i'he a<;'e at which children arc to leave [ndnslrial Schools shonld he Idas lor IJct'ormatorv s(diools. i ?j V't vl. •>, i.|j [tA .4^ APPENDIX A. PR(>VrN('lAI. SKCUETAIJVS DKI'ARTM KNT (iiiclM.,-. iNlili .Fiuiuiiiy. \S\r.\. Ukvkhexi) Sistkr Dikkitiik.ss, .Inn Aforiii liliK-ksmitli »»t" Si. IvuphiU'I, comitv of J5clloclia^<-si'. Eva Lal)Miit.'. i>t' QucIxt-. (•niiflm'tl ill your liidiistria! Sdiool siiici' the Iiltli Dcct'iiiltta' IH'.H. I liavc llii" lioiKiiir ti> Iti' ^'oul• (ilu'diciit sci'vaiif, • (Sioiic.l) .lOS. IJOTVrN', Assistant Provincial, Secretary. I.S. \\ V. APPENDIX B. I'ROVIXCIAL SKCKF/rAin'S DEI'Airr.MKNT Qiiolicv, 2<)tli .Taimary, ISO;]. IIkVKHK.Mi SlsTKlt nilSKCTIlKSr*, Industrial Sdiotil. (^»ticl)cc. JJiiifiinu !Mi'. Na])olcon Moiiii reports a( tins otlicc that yon ivfiisc to hand Eva Lahontc over to Iiini in accordanoo witli the instiuctions contained in uiy letter of the 2i>th January I8O0 and that you require an order from His Ifonour the Lieuto- uant Governor. In view of these faets, the HononrabU- Provincial Secretary directs me to inform you that His Honou r is absent trom the capital for a tbrtni_sj,'ht and that the order cannot bo obiainod before the expiratiou ot" that delay. li: 1 IP ■ m f ■ If;. ■, •■ m l>f I- iiM w — •_>•» ^ If vdu do lint ooinjily villi tlir onlfr <,'iv»'H yon on (lie 2»!tli of tliin iiiontli, yon '.vill not be |>nini ill*' LMitli instiint until mIic is trH<"liiirgi'7.'. 'I'lir ri«i\iiicl;il Sccivmrx miiv.iit auv tiuio, oi'dtT ''•""' 'o" ,.,,... . • * ' rrov.iu'i il iiiiv cluld (Ictiimcil 111 nil iii.lusti'ial scliool to be pliioc'tl. on s>. •etuv n,,' .. 1 I'i" 1 1 11 1 . • •.! clii'ili'cn 111 I • siu.-li loiHlitioiis as lie sliall (U'tci-mino, witli a person or j,:ape,i .nr. family of ics|u'ctaliiliry and Avortliy of confiden^-e ^vho coiisiMits to it'cciw. iV'cd, maintain and lodsi'c liim in a siiifal'lc iiianncT. '• {JS5T/). Ill tlu' t-asi's mciitioiK'd in section 4 of tlu- aei .Vpi.iimii. n «r .).:>-.)() \ letona. eiiaiitei- 29. the rrovineial Secretary mayiriie> k. .v>- also ni-dcr lliat tlie eliild. instead of l.eino- transferivd to aii^'"^y"'- ""' industrial scliool. sliall In' |i!aee(l out as indieafed in article •• tiHiti; 'I'lic I'lYiViiieial Seeretary may, in bis disen^tion, <" iM iim.\ i« , ,• 1 1, iiMii'i- II" 1 iflit'feil in 111 at any lime ord-^r fliat any .--mdi ebild be relieved trom tbe oi.iii^jii.n mm- oliliyafioii of liviny; with the persons or families with whom 'It'''-'"'''''*' lie lias lii'cii so ]ilaeed. ■• JII.17'/. The time diii'iim' whieh a ebild is absent from •'<•.; i.iii hm 1 11 1 1 ■• 1 1^ • • 1 . . •" imii'il ii' tiie seliool. uikU'I' an order oi the 1 rovincnd N'orotary. is imit diiiis eoiisidiTiMl as an inteo'ral portion ol the term .>f bis con- *'"""'"■""■"'• liliemeiit. :5 •••^l«>/('. A enild. who escapes ironi the bouse ot the \M'»t is «oii- ■ 1 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 1 mI( r.'tl lit iiii person v,itli whoni Ik' is phic d luider siicli an order, orroii*. who refuses to r(>tnrn i:o the school after the caiu'ellinii' of the onbr. or on the exiiiry of lli(> tei-m fixed therein, is considered as liavin!^' escapeii from tlu- school. •• ;?!"»7/'. NotbiiiL;' is due the directois of a school for tlie iiimi u!" m board and maintenance of a child from tin reception ot the l'j'„|'"Jl* ',',', •','' order ot' tbe rroxincial S\'creta.y and diirini:ii\ii;n. C/i'ijihnt, nf l/ui ('innrnl i i' //.,: ll'.n'l Sin jih, r,l ill (Jiijii.r. mi thr 'I^Ul. Jfiirrl' 1S!>:',, lir/hm the Jli.iiOiii I'll III r J'^xiriitiri' ('miiicil «/ //"' I'rurinri: nf (Jilrli.r. IIiiMMi! Aiii.K ( )i:.\i'i.i:.\ii:n-. Ml" Cliiirlclioi- ha- sliow h _\ oil \vlial llir laws wcrr wliicli _i;'<»\Tni Uoronaatorv and liidiisti-iMl Si-liooU ciglit or ti-n \•e:l^^ ui-o. tlic cliniiii'ts niailc in tlu-ni siiu'*- tliiif i\atv iiiitl fspccially tilt" Mniciuiint'iits ni:i(l(' in lSil2. lie lias also sliowod vuii Imw iln'sc laws ]ia\f wnrkod since tli'si- anit'iidincnts. \<>u iiiav lijivr,i)lis('rvc(l, ^-LMitKiiR'n. tlni! iftlifrcaro ithnscs in llic applK'ution oi' these laws, the reniedie- which liavt' lifcn souu'lit I'tu' the e\il Iia\c Car from offocted a euro, l>iit that, on the contrary, these renuMlies iiave caused so violent a comniotion in the work of reronnatorv and indnstrijil schools that they are threateneed on the iniinicipalliti<'s? lam inclined to Ixdieve that it is due to all tlire*' of the ahove causes. The remarks nnide l»y Mr Ciiarlehois arc very deal' and the facts he has pointed out spejik for thcmst ncs. Kvidoutly there is a serious deicct. Still, roi'onnatory hchools are an ahsolutc neccf^sity and it is positively ussertod that there is a desire to nuiintaiu them. Can they lie inaiutained without someahusomcrcoping in r I do not think so, however willinu-one may he both in reforniiu_t.li on the >ido ol'tho pai-ents. owiiin' t<> llieif sitiialioii i>r their (lis|M»sirions and on the siih- of the children. It is ini- possihle tt t'oirseo everythinii-. Wy placinsi' niinion>ns and dilHenlt ol>slaeles in the Wiiy. the enfi'aiiee to these Asyliiins will oventiially he <'losed. Jt sociiis to n)«\ thei'etofe. iniportaiit in even kii'islalion to thoi'oiiii'hly nntlei'staiid the suhjeet niatt<'f ol such leii'islalion jio as to |ti'ovide lor {-Yi'vy re(|nii'enienl and ohtain all the ii'o d |)ossihle tVoni il. \Ai;ir,it nivni'i'ioNs anh sitcations ok thi; rHii.i)i!K\ i'i:kvioi ,s •{■o in NT I \i: mi: NT. Children liahle to eonie und*-!' I lie laws u.'ovei'iiinn' rel'or- luatofy and industrial schools u-eiierally h lonii' to the pooi' <*lass('s. It vei'v seldom hapiieiis, altlionu'h if may o.-ea- sionally, that childi-en ot'l'aniilios in cotnt'urtablc cii'ciiinstaiices are sent to reformatory schools. These I'iniilies place snstal)l'shments at an early aii,"*' lo protoct and reform thcni. This is done (^nietly anil wiilmnl tnakiiiii' any noise abi'nt it. The poor classes have not the same advjintaifes. llowcvei-. in these classes, the e: lidren who _ii'<'nerally come to the reformatoiy and industrial schools are those whose jtosition in their families has ceased to he normal or thoso whose tdiarneter is had and vicious. 1 tnoaii hy ahiiormal position that of a child who has lost its father or mother or hoth. In the eonutry places oi'phans are easily placed in families, foi- there is much compassion for these unfortunati's and charity provides lor tlii'in in some way »' casi's oi" iiriivih'v ami «'.\trt'iiu' lu'ccssitv. .\s Idiii:' ats rlio parontfi arc ti'ooil, lianl-workin!^, in iri-fat l>iit toiii- ponirv troubk', you an' siuu' to sec llicsc ihhm' [larciits stniir- •i'liii''- agaiut poverty, Itccoiiiiiiii' more attaclicil than ever to tlielr I'liililron, srckiiii!,' protection here an • •ritical a situation. It is not the child ron of su(,'h laniilic- who cunic to ihc rct'ornialory anurvivinu' mother is la/.y. licart.U'ss. stn]iid. addicted to dnuikonness or other vices, what will hecoinc of thcchihircn ! Sucii situations, if rare in country [larts. arc hut too frequent in towns and lariic villui»\'s. To circumstances already vory (huii>vrous for chihln'U. mtist he alatc Father in his Coujfregation, the nnv in his parish or a mcmI»erof the 8t. Vincent de Paul Society who iinilertakes this charitalile mission, a mission of devotedness and heroic patience, a e taken not to uftend any one and there nro sometimes many difliculties to be overcome. !►(» you sujipose. now. that it is always easy to decide the l>aronts or otlier intert'sted jicrsons to uive >ip (heir chihlrcn tlnit they n)ay be sent to the iJefornnttfuy and Industrial scliools 't It is sometimes most ditKcult, especially in the country. Many itrc)U(lices and erroneous im[>rcssions n_a,'ainst Reformatory and Industrial scIk'oIs liave to be set aside ; all tlie otHcious biisybodies in the parish or amonu'st the relatives have sonH'thinu' to say about it. For them, these schools arc worse than prisons ; the children are badly, cruelly treated in them ; they h'ar thcr will ne\cr see the children again, etc., etc. i k- 1' It* L '4 » > ' >: m M — :50 — Tlu'si' iirc fatis wliicli wf coiistaiillv n>in«' iHT«>>s in iii-sl I'oiintry parfs. It is otton a vitv serious iii\(lortakinif !»» lU'c^ido (lio |iaf('nts to let llioir ciriiiln-ii «>-o. Oiicc tlicsc olistaclos an- ovcrfoint', must we af-'uiii I'l'Vcrt to that series ol ililUfult |iroeee«lini>'s wliidi it is ini|»ossil»Ie In ohst-rvi' in ucarlv all onrninii inuiii('i|»alirK's ': As a nili', you w ill liuil the iicai'aiul distaut relatives, cvi-n those wiio life notoriously seaudaloiis, attai-htnl to tlieir rhihlivu and liny will do llicii- l.cst to kci-ji tlicin iVoiu heiuy; sent away. Thus it is that, in the ('(tuntry |iai'i-. cases ot ndinission to lietornudoiy and Industrial schools arc rav(> in iirojtortion In the ]»o]tulation. They arc nmrc tVc(|in'nt in towns tor three reasons : 1. There is less i»reJ!idice aj;-ain.-.l the schools : the parents are on the spot ; they sec with their own i-yes, and Hnd out for theniselves how the children are ti-eatecl in thesi? schools : '1. The ihildren nrc more exjiosed In the danyvr ol" perversion than in country paits : there is aLfglomeration ami want (tf room : most of the children have only the stre(>t to live in and are constantly exposed to perversion : aild lo that the painful necessity in which the father or luotln-r is sometimes placed of |<»avini:" the house and earninji' the livinu' of the family ; '•'<. It is more diitienlt to place the children in town than in the eountry. I woidd take the liberty of observiiii;- that when a ehihl retpiires to he sent to an Industrial or Refoiinatory school, whether he be in the eountry or in the town, it is necessary that the law autlion/.in, fi>r its bcinjf put in ]l I \4.'- ;■■ In'- ^' IS'' K ■s -t lil ■^ :U — (>)i«'rnlion. niii;tisti-iiti'f< wlin i-iiii ln>|»l a ri'^nlur ((.ml. ll^ ivpirds till- pnuvdmv. N.-w. ;if Irawt tlin'r tourtlis of tli<; Miral imMiiciitalitio^ an> not orniini/('ortniH> nn ner, tlie takinu- of an oiitli wlieii l»art'uMdar eirenmstanees re<|nire it. Witli respeet lo llie various >itnations and couditiMiis of the ehildren helore eontinenient. I ha\<' onl.v one word more t(» r\\illdo Ix-tter in the school than she could in any private family, with very tew exceptions; she will lind in the school cverylbinu- she wants for the cultiv- ation of her mind and intolliu-enee, for relii^ious instruction, initiation in work. et<-. ; she will iind there triu' mothers full of dovotedness, whose only object is to promote the wi'lfarc aiul liapjiincss of the child. What more can she iind in a family to which slu' is a stranu-er ? Will she Hn rt'iiiiiM' Intiii ilio i'crnri«' • iiroi-tioii lU tlu'p*)' iiistifiitioiiH tiif t-liildicii < lest i net I to tli«-rt«> mi;Iio()Ih nixl coiitHlc llifiii to privnt*' tainilif-i. 'J'luMt' mnv !»<• wciiU'hty ri'JisoiiK toJiHtit'y tins. Itiit it 'h looifall.v (litH<'iiIt t.> lll|ll(>|-StlllliirAll(lKI». WluMi a yomij;' gii-l lias compU'tcd Ihi- iti-m is all work ami attention over as far asslu- is coiinTiicil 'r I> tlicic iiolliiiiii' IoIk' (loiw lun-oiiil sottiiiii; Imt fVco '! No ; tlictsc who liavf liail fliaig'e ol llic cliild u|* to tlui' iiioint'iit iimst not ahaiidon lu'i- to Iwr tat*': tlu'v must afl'onl lici means to |ilac»' lioiself siiitahly. r>iit l»(.'tur(' placinti' lu-f we nnist not ov»'rl<»ol< tlic point ot (lopai-turc : the child cHmc to the school to correct hersell' or to Itc protected against tlu' danircr of perdition. Th ■ • piestion to be then asked is: Is the speclablc family. JJntwlien tin- term of eontinenient expires, if the (diild be not sntHciently refonued, ifitbe found that she is still of a liiid an.fi — iJiil >!ii •(■ till' iiioiilii of May la -I llu' children luivc ln't'ii scf at lildTiv aiivl.ow ; cvfii. all tliosi' wlio were iuiiriii all lioiiyii til.' law allows tlif f(t:itliiiiatii>ii ot' 1 lu'ir trnii. 'I'iicsc disi-liai'u- '^ iiinl.".' surli ciivnin-itaiii-cs arc most dango- I'oiis and d('[(l(>ral)K'. It siiii|ilv means rciidcriiiii" uiinoct's- s.iry tlic sa<-i'Ilu'('s wliicli tlic ( !((\rniiiK'nt or tlic imiiiiciiia- litit's have liitlicrro made I'ur in'oli-ctiuti- those ihildrcii. Is tli('i'<' not ill this an nru'ciil ncci'ssiiy lor amcndiiiu' the law so as III avoid >n(di >a(l coiisimiiU'Iu'cs ? It hi^.iltcii h iji|n.'ii('d that tdiildrcii scut to tlif liulustrial Sidiool h;i\-c harely s|(;'nt a few iiioiit lis in the asylnm hidoit- it was I'onnd that thcscMdiildrcn should he. not in the Indus- trial hilt in the IJoforniatory Sidiool, owing to the wiidvi'il and \ii-ioiis instiiu-ts which showed tliomsclvcs in thcin. Tln" law should [irovido I'oi' snrh cases so tliat the Directress miglit he able to classifv th si- 'hildivii ]iroji;'r]y, 1 conliiie niyscli'io these oliservations. What we have said on the siihjert shows that muidi more still iniglit he said. As i remaiked jusl now, the sit iiati'Oi- in wintdi thctdiildreii ot' the ]io(ir classes are |ilaced ar(' \aric(l and miiltiidied ami the ilangcrs of perdilion siirronnding these ehihlren are great and ire(|nciit. I'specially in the towns. Since the lu'cessity of these schools is a(lmitteisteis who have if oVtserved, gives these children the liahir of a iVii'nlar life, a taste for work and the means of eaniino- their livino; lionestlv. '• Those estaitlishnn-nfs are not snHicientIv nnineroiis, espe- eially in Iar;ii'e modern -itics. Admission to them slionid It • easier and society is