A FREE-BED FUND 
FOR THE 
WASHINGTONIAN HOME 
This Institution, organized in 1857 and incorporated in 1859, 
came into existence as a necessity. Its founders, while recognizing 
the efficiency of the total abstinence pledge in reclaiming thou- 
sands of inebriates, also knew there were other thousands who 
needed medical aid, temporary shelter, kindly attention to their 
physical necessities, and moral support and encouragement to 
enable them to contend successfully against the agonizing reaction 
that was sure to follow a sudden and total deprivation of their 
accustomed stimulus. To afford these necessary agencies the 
Home was established in one little room on Fulton Street, with 
a cash capital of a few dollars. Here came into existence the 
first institution in the world devoted exclusively to the reformation 
of inebriates. From the beginning it has been a growing success, 
and its beneficent effects have been so widely apparent as to have 
induced the organization of similar institutions in many of our 
sister States. 
During the last eighteen years over 5,000 patients have been 
treated at the Home, representing every trade, profession, and 
all classes in society. Its doors have always been open to all 
comers, and if any distinction has been made, the warmest wel- 
come has been extended to poverty and weakness. 
For several years the State furnished material aid, ranging 
from $3,000 to $6,0c0 annually, which enabled us to take nearly as many free patients as applied. More than 2,000 have been of 
this class, the balance paying for their treatment in full or in part 
as their circumstances permitted. About four years ago the State, 
for prudential reasons that demanded retrenchment, withdrew its 
annual subsidy from this alike with other institutions, and threw 
us entirely upon our own resources. 
The generous citizens of Boston, by donations and legacies, 
have enabled the Institution to change its location several times, 
each to larger and better accommodations, until, aided by judicious 
investments and economy, it has found a permanent abiding 
place in the large and substantial edifice now occupied at 
No. 41 Waltham Street, which, including the furnishing and land, 
cost over Sioo,ooo, leaving a net indebtedness of about $lO,OOO 
One or two special legacies have provided a small fund to aid free 
patients, but not large enough to meet the needs of our applicants. 
What, then, shall w'e do? We cannot turn the poor and worthy 
inebriate from our doors, but must succor him at all hazards, either 
by running our institution further into debt, or by appealing to the 
philanthropic and generous citizens of Boston for the necessary 
means to carry on our humane and beneficent work. 
The success of the Home thus far, is its best appeal to our 
charitable fellow-citizens to furnish us with financial aid towards 
establishing a permanent and liberal fund for the sole benefit of 
poor and friendless inebriates. We venture to assert that no 
humane institution in the United States can exhibit a more careful 
and economic application of its funds than this, either in the in- 
vestment of its real estate, or in its internal management. The 
names of its trustees are a guarantee that no misuse will be made 
of its funds in their hands. 
At the last meeting of the corporation it was voted to estab- 
lish three free beds for those who wish the enter the Home, but 
have not the means, and the Executive Committee were authorized 
to raise by subscription the necessary funds. It is estimated that 
each free bed, with board, and proper care for its patients for a year, will cost the income of $4,000. Thus twenty patients could 
be provided for, relieved, or cured, for an average sum of four, 
teen dollars each, not counting any interest on the cost of the 
building. The Free-Bed Fund would, alike with all other of its 
funds, be placed in the hands of the trustees, and the income 
only would be used by the Executive Committee in defraying the 
running expenses of the Home incurred by the superintendent, 
which are under the constant supervision of that committee. 
Such beds provided for by the special fund will be sacredly reserved 
for the reception of the poor and penitent who seek here to 
reform. 
Having refrained from appealing to the charitable public or 
individuals in any way for many years, we feel the more confidence 
in our present necessity, of a prompt response to this appeal for a 
contribution to a most worthy object and true charity, which, by the 
law of kindness, charity, and human sympathy (ineffectual by other 
means) raises the fallen by influences peculiar to the Home, and 
restores the man to society and to friends. 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 
OTIS CLAPP. WM. WILKINS WARREN. 
JOSEPH STORY. W. F. WENTWORTH. 
SOLOMON B. STEBBINS. W. F. SHAW. 
L. TAYLOR. 
TR US TEES. 
OTIS CLAPP. 
WM. B. SPOONER. 
S. B. STEBBINS. 
Subscriptions and donations will be thankfully received by 
Mrs. R. K. Potter, 625 Tremont Street, or by Oris Clapp, No, i 
Beacon Street, who will publicly acknowledge receipts of the same.