Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 1.djvu/731

Rh ents are respected. The ease of admission and withdrawal of private charity inmates often induces parents to have their children supported in them for a time. But admission to the State Public School forfeits all parental rights. The parents knowing this make a more serious effort to keep their children and often succeed. This is one important cause of decrease of child dependence. In all cases where parents become able to support their children, and the instances are very few, an effort is made to arrange for the restoration of the child, and this is done at times by consent of the foster parents if the child is on indenture.

The county superintendents of the poor are required to bring all admissible children before the judge of probate to determine their dependence. Notice is served on the parents if they can be found and the case is regularly tried. After admission the children are taught the branches usually taught in the public schools, by the best primary and kindergarten teachers that can be procured. The institution is on the cottage plan, the children living in cottages—about twenty-five in each, supervised by a lady cottage manager, acting in the capacity of mother. The children live and sleep in the cottages, attend school in the schoolhouse, eat in the large general dining room and work in and out of the buildings as their age or ability warrants. They remain in this temporary home on the average less than a year. Some of the younger well fitted for it go almost immediately into homes, while many others need much done for them mentally, morally and physically before going into a respectable home. The indenture provides for good treatment as a member of the family, for their attending the public schools and their being taught some useful occupation or trade. A clause in the contract authorizes the board to cancel it if deemed for the best interest of the child. When adopted in the probate court, the child becomes the heir of the foster parents.

The institution is in charge of a board of control of three members, while the more direct management is by the superintendent who resides at the school. The school has a state