For these the total appropriations have been, in round numbers, eight
millions of dollars. They were begun in 1865, and have therefore been
in operation nearly twenty years. These homes may be divided into two
classes: first, the Soldiers’ Orphans’ Schools and homes, of which there
are twelve—three in Philadelphia, and the remainder in other parts of
the state; and secondly, homes which have undertaken the education of
soldiers’ orphans, but which are not exclusively devoted to that work.
There have been admitted to these schools since the establishment of
the system, 13,011 children; and there were in school on the 31st of
May, 1883, 4,630 children, of whom 1,931 were girls. In the report of
John W. Sayers, special inspector and examiner of orphan schools, it is
stated that “the schools are fully up to all reasonable expectations;
splendid work has been done, and is still being accomplished for the best
interests of the scholars.” By the Extension Act of 1883, these schools
will be continued until June 1st, 1890, at which time Pennsylvania may
rest satisfied that she has discharged some of her debt toward her
deceased soldiers in no ungenerous fashion. The schools will, by that
time, have cost the state nearly ten millions of dollars; a sum which
no citizen of the Commonwealth will begrudge to the children of the men
whose bones are scattered from Gettysburg to the Gulf of Mexico.
Next in order to the Soldiers’ Orphans’ Schools is the magnificent
charity of Stephen Girard, known throughout Pennsylvania, and throughout
America, as “Girard College.” This institution, in its buildings, in
its general equipment, in its corps of teachers, is one of the most
remarkable in the world. The buildings were erected at an expense of
two millions of dollars; subsequent additions have largely increased
this original outlay. But the property and funds now in the hands of
the Girard Trust amounts to nearly ten millions of dollars, and is
administered with great care and intelligence. The gross revenue of the
Girard estate in 1883 amounted to $931,295. By the will of Mr. Girard
this college is for the benefit of poor white male orphan children. The
first preference being given to orphans born in the city of Philadelphia,
the second to those born in other parts of Pennsylvania, the third to
those born in the city of New York, and the fourth to those born in the
city of New Orleans. No child can be admitted before the age of six,
nor after the age of ten. At present the institution contains 1,104
pupils. Under the will of Mr. Girard no attempt can be made to give these
boys what is sometimes spoken of as “higher education;” the shrewd old
merchant thinking it much wiser that they should be apprenticed to trades
than that they should be turned into the world without capital to make a
living by their wits.
Mrs. Eliza Burd, of Philadelphia, in the year 1848 founded a home
for girls, which was handsomely provided for in her last will and
testament. This institution, which is under the care of Saint Stephen’s
Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Burd was a member, is situated in West
Philadelphia, and is one of the finest charities of the city. The
grounds are extensive, the buildings are very fine, and the results thus
far achieved have been of a most satisfactory character. In addition
to these orphan schools there are in Philadelphia nineteen asylums
for orphans and abandoned children. Some of these, like the Northern
Home and Southern Home for Friendless Children, are undenominational.
Others of them, like the Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and Jewish
orphanages, are sectarian, and thus excluded from state aid. Perhaps
the Roman Catholic Church has more homes of this character in different
parts of Pennsylvania, than all other denominations taken together. In
Philadelphia alone they have “Saint Joseph’s Female Orphan Asylum,”
in charge of the Sisters of Charity, “Saint John’s Orphan Asylum,” in
charge of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, “St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum,” at
Tacony, an “Asylum for Italian Orphan Children,” “The Catholic Home for
Destitute Orphan Girls,” “St. Vincent’s Home,” which cares for children
who are under five years of age, and two magnificent orphanages in West
Philadelphia. Indeed, it is difficult to know the exact extent of Roman
Catholic charities of this kind in our state. Excluded by law, as are
all sectarian institutions, from any participation in the public funds,
they make no reports to the public authorities, and not accustomed to
appealing to the general public for aid, their workings are known only to
the members of their own communion. In the city of Pittsburgh the Roman
Catholic Church has four Orphan Asylums, the United Presbyterian Church
has an Orphan Home, the Episcopal Church has a Home for Orphan Children
and Aged Women.
There is also a Protestant Orphan Asylum, and a Colored Orphan Asylum
in the same city. There are homes for orphans in Beaver, in Berks, in
Huntingdon, in Lancaster, in Perry, in Schuylkill, in Susquehanna, in
Luzerne, and in York counties, other than those which are maintained by
the Roman Catholics. A third kind of provision for the poor is