Orphan Canal Bows.
{"newspaper_name": "New-York daily tribune.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
{"character_count": 2977, "word_count": 518, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9585999846458435], "ccnet_perplexity": [1345.5999755859375], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}



We find in the Syracuse Daily Star the proceed
ings ofa meeting Of the Citizens of Syracuse held
on the 18th inst to consider the condition of the
Orphan and Destitute Boys who are engaged prin-
cpally as Canal Drivers during the season Of
navigation. Hon. DANIEL PRATT presided, and
addresses made by Rev. Messrs. J. w. ADAMS
SAML MAY and Others relative to the condition and
necessities Of this much neglected class.


], appears from facts elected on this OCCASION that
there are about 5000 boys engaged upon the NewYork
Canals one half OF whom arc orphans; and nearly all of
whom are destitute OF home the approach of Winter
Many of these boys under twelve years Of age but
their extreme YOUTH and hapless unfortunate condition
are not sufficient to exempt them from the wanton
wrongs tho part of their employers Most of them are
precocious well in vice intellect, and the Canal
just the place to put them through all the gradatons Of
crime from stealing siXpenny loaf bundle of hay
up TO the most daring burglary and even murder itself
Indeed in instances they instructed in theft
&C. by the Captains of these boats who endeavor to
give those in their employ kind of an educa
ton they have themselves received. At the close of
navigation these drivers generally destitute of
money and comfortable clothing and congrega;e such
places Utica and Syracuse, upon the line of Canal
and practice upon the community the evil propensi,es
which have been nourshed and exercised upon the Ca
nal. They to be regarded outcass. They have
no home-no friends TO advise or assist them-no in,
strucon except in vice. and the jail is often regarded
by them asylum Ofthe sixteen hundred convicts
who have been inmates OF the Auburn State
Prison four hHpGred end e'sk,y had been Canal Boys


In view OF these facts, memorial 10 the Legislature.
drawn up by Mr.. May setting forth in and elo
quent language the condition of these boys adopted
by the meeting, The memorial asks that the Legisla.
appoint supervisors guardians of the canal boys
in suitable places by whom registers shall be kept of all
the youth under 20 years of age who may be employed
within their several sections without whose knowledge
and permission youth shall be employed upon the
canals and whose satisfaction all contracts shall be
made and all accounts settled with these boys and
tabsh convenient distances along the canals houses
under the OF suitable persons. where those canal
boys who have no home may so, and be made comnra-
BILE, when employed upon the canals; and where
they may receive such mental and moral culture as they
may need In such establishments we propose in the
charge of men and women who would be interested in
the work and competent perform il these neglected
youth may be brought under improving saving infu
ences.


The iuemoriais,s ask that in addition 70 these
Homes House OF Refuge, 10 be established at SYRIA
cuse for the benefit of those boys who may be found
guilty Of petty crimes.