The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-27 00:00:00

Eije ,_Stottrbrikge 055erinc

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 1884.

SOCIAL SCIENCE.

When Lord Brougham, many years ago,
was active in his endeavours to found the
association which provides for the annual
meeting of the Social Science Congress, there
were not a few persons who openly ridiculed
the whole idea. Some took their stand upon
the assertion that in reality there existed no
such a thing as social science, while others,
though disposed to admit that a social science
did exist, rested their opposition to the
scheme upon the assumption that there was
not sufficient public interest in the matter
to warrant the belief that an annual congress
would be successful. The early days of the
institution were passed, therefore as the
early days of many other excellent things
have been passed—in the midst of ridicule,
which did not kill, and this year's congress
which, within the last few days have con-
cluded its sittings, has furnished as these
gatherings usually do furnish, much food
for thouscht to those who have the welfare
of their fellow citizens at heart. Doubtless,
many of the idef.s which are put forward at
these -meetings can only be cha•raeterised by
the convenient term Utopian. Some of them
are the outcome of immaturity of thought
which fails to indicate any practical method
for attaining a desired purpose ; but of how
many notions put forward at meetings de-
voted to the discussion of more precisely
-
defined sciences than the social science could
not the same be said It is the task of the
impartial critic to dwell not alone upon de-
ficiencies Those who look only upon the
worst side of any institution can always find
some weak points on which to dilate. Men
of broader view will seek for the good rather
than the evil, and will be prepared t 3 give
its due of praise to that which is salutary
without allowing that which is of little
worth to occupy the whole field of their
vision. It is not, therefore, necessary to
agree with, or even to sympathise with,
much that is stamped with approval at the
to Social Science Congress in order to be able
admit the good which that institution has af-
feetedand is effecting. If it did nothing more
than supply an opportunity forearnest philan-
thropists and social reformers to submit their
.-views to the general public, it would prove
of very great value. The copious reports
which are given of the discussions in the
daily press secures an audience for these
plans and projects incomparably larger than
could be obtained by pamphlets or by semi-
private meetings of an enthusiastic few. It is
well that all schemes affecting the social
welfare of the great body of the people should
be freely and publicly debated, and this, at •
least is provided for by the institution under
notice. It confers the further advantage
of enabling members of Parliament to eman-
cipate themselves for a time from the deeply
cut grooves of party politics and perhaps,
few but those who are activly concerned in
public life realise to the full the benefit
which this entails. Debateable topics, upon
which the whole body of as can never be ex-
pected to agree, must of necessity be fre-
quent food for controversy at these annual
gatherings but without such controversy
the -true way upon many points could not be
reached. Candid consideration of the wm k
which is yearly done will convince most who
care to be convinced that much good results
to the general public from the annual as-
sembly of the Social Science Congress.