BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 33 



times as many. Oloviously it would bo a mistake (o conclude 

 that the apparent lack of inst itutional provisions in Iowa indi- 

 cates that the dependent children in this state are relatively so 

 few, or that they are inadequately cared for. The explanation 

 lies in the difference of method. 



In many instances the actual number of children's insti- 

 tutions in a state is closely related to the number of its inhab- 

 itants; but there are sij^nificant exceptions, which su<2;<2;est in 

 some cases lack of adequate provision for dependent children, 

 and in others that they are largely cared for outside of insti- 

 tutions. 



Indiana and Ohio are the only states having systems of 

 county homes for children. As a result they are credited with 

 nearly three fourths of the children's homes maintained at 

 public cost. Twenty six states are without any public homes 

 for children. In the following 22 states and territories the 

 children's institutions under church management exceed in 

 number those controlled by private secular corporations : Ala- 

 bama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, 

 Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Mon- 

 tana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, 

 North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, 

 and Wisconsin. Arizona, Idaho, and Wyoming are as yet 

 without any orphanages. 



The amount contributed from public sources to children's 

 institutions in 1903 was $2,181,784, or 21.7 per cent of the 

 total cost of maintenance. In Delaware, Mississippi, Ne- 

 braska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah no help of this 

 kind was given. 



A little more than one tenth of the entire cost of main- 

 taining orphanages and children's homes is covered by income 

 from pay inmates who contribute annually about one million 

 dollars. It is not known what part of this income is contrib- 

 uted by relatives or friends of the children, and what part 

 from public authorities who pay stipulated sums per week or 

 month for the support of those who have become direct 

 charges upon the community. In proportion to expenditures 

 the amoimts collected from inmates are smallest in the south- 

 ern and some of the newer western states. 



Vol. 10-3 



