New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-01
Houses of Industry.

vanced the proposition to establish HOUSES oi III
d,strv moon the broadest and most comprehensive
basis of philanthropy, so as to meet 1uliy 'he
wants of the City In making provision Tor It's
door, The system Of Charity which we wish TO
see carried out must be upon scale commensu-
rate with the ability and dignity of this great
CITY, and with the necessities OF those who need
assistance. We feel confident that the intelligent
authorities who preside over her welfare will
adopt such plan if any, for the rellel and uselu'
employment of her poor as will at once shed lus-
ire upon the City and an enduring honor upon
themselves.
1t is time for wealthy City like New-York,
containing within itself the most ample power to
consummate any enterprise of philanthropy or Of
public benefit, to be ashamed of the miserable
shifts Of poor houses, soup societies and dispense
ries which huddle poor wretches together to
make them more degraded and miserable, or dole
out to them with stinting hand IN most bar.
6arous manner, as though they were the lowest
brutes, scany pittances of black. broth, potatoes
and wood. With the intelligence and the means
we now possess to enable us to organize establish
ments where an extended system of economy and
proper application Of labor will secure to all
classes Of the poor an adequate supply Of at least
the necessarics of life and moderate degree Of
comfort we should not think for a moment Of any
thing like an old-fashioned Work House, which,
beside being considered a disgracoful asylum by
the most destitute and abandoned even, whose
sufferings in them are only little prolonged, isa
constant and heavy drain upon the public purse.
Let Us not entertain the idea of such disgraceful
and inadequate concerns We must build up
Houses of Industry, or well organized establish
ments which will afford real Charity to thcnccdy,
by placing them where they may, in credtable
manner and by their own labor, maintain them.
selves, or at least do much toward it.
To place before the reader in succnct shape
the objects in vlsw let us classify the functions
which dcvolve upon tho City to perform in carry
ing out a complete system of Charity and provi.
sion for the house. The City has to perform,
LIST. A prcrcntirc Junction.
3D. A Succering function;
3d. A reforming function.
The prevention Of pauperism and consequent
crime and disorder by affording temporary proyi
sion for persons who are out of employment, but
are willing to work, can be done to great extent
by the City in founding one of the Houses of In
dustry which we shall propose; it is a noble end
to be attained, and deserving the most serious
consideration.
The City, in the second place, should maintain
all those who from disease, old age and accident,
are reduced to helpless poverty, and in way thai,
would not punish them for misfortune, but make
them feel sensible of obligation to real benefac.
tors.
The reformation of the vicious and degraded
portion of the population, by bringing them under
wholesome but mild and considerate discipline
and by proper instruction in useful occupations.
mental cultivation and stimulus to moral elcva.
ton, is the third function, and it is a high duty
incumbent upon the City to perform as well for It's
own interests and character as for the poor help
less beings who merit encouragement and for
giveness oftener than merciless punishment.
The breadth of our propositions may startlt
some, and excite the fear that the expense which
will be incurred IN bringing oar plan into opera
ton, would be so enormous as to be an nsupera
bic objection; but there is nothing to fear on this
head; money will be needed of course, but it car
be found 1t the right steps are taken to obtain it
and wisdom enters into the councils of those who
engage in the undertaking. Indeed it could be
shown that if the City should establish at once
Houses OF Industry upon the most extensive and
complete scale, there would be an immense saw.
ing effected IN its annual expenses and disbursc.
ments for the relief of the poor and destitute. In
the beginning, however, it will not be necessary
to proceed upon the largest scale, or perhaps aid.
vlsable, and leaving to time to accomplish fully
what IS we'll commenced, there is no doubt am
pie means can be obtained il the right sprit is
awakened among those who must take the lead
IN thus desgn-the authorities of the City. IL
our next we will enter more into the practical
part of our plans,
NElyc rpnN rs,- How NJ,