The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-06
Improved Dwelling. for the Poor.

Improved Dwellings for the Poor.
From the Times
Our London correspondent, in letter re.
Gently published in the Times, makes sugges-
tion concerning the proper disposition of the
large donation of Mr. Peabody to the poor of
London, which is worthy of attention here.
He says:-
''Tbe crowded poor of London are asking
what has become OF the vast sum given so gene
rously some years ago tor their benefit. Had
this money been used as q guarantee fund to
capitalists and ordinary investors, or to secure
companies IN borrowing money of the Govern
ment, it would have been the means Of rebuild
ing large part of the British metropolis, and
providing comfortable and salubrious homes for
thousands who are now living or dying in filth
and misery. 1t is not the money man has, so
much as that which he can command by means
of it, which will enable him to do the largest
good. There is no better, safer, or more solid
investment than to rebuild three-fourths of
London. But capitalists do not see 1T, and need
some assurance of decent dividends. This Mr.,
Peabody's beneiaction would give them, and by
such means its usefulness could be increased
tenfold, and it may be hundredfold. l hope il
Is not too late to apply the ordinary principles
OF business to the management OF one great
charity"
We have no sympathy with that spirit which
is always debating to men OF benevolence and
public spirit how they shall use the money they
devote to charitable uses. But we are confident
none will be more ready than they to receive
kindly, and consider candidly, any suggestions
that may be made in proper spirit upon this
subject.
Improved dwellings for the poor are more
essential to any marked improvement in their
condition than anything else. This is especially
the case in this city. where they are less com
fOrtably lodged than IN any other part of the
world for the same cost. But what is wanted is
not better houses at cheap rates, for few hun
AraAa n tnu hon 10 enTAl
houses tor ala better class and style of dwell
ings at rates within the means of the poor as a
class. This cannot be afforded by the beneyo-
Ience OF rich men, however noble and extensive
that may be.
There are 80, 900 families in this city who are
unable to hire proper dwellings, mainly because
capitalists who own the dwellings, which the
poor nhabt cannot see fair profit in building
better houses for the same rents. A wealthy
man like Mr.. Peabody or Mr.. Stewart may erect
such dwellings, for five hundred of these families,
but this will not affect in the slightest degree
the general style of houses which will continue
to be built for this class of tenants and which
the remaining As, 500 of these families must con
unue TO occupy. While large number of peo-
pie will be made more comfortable and happy
and very great good will thus be done no
decided impression will have been made upon
the condition of the whole class. The great
class are compelled TO live will not be substan
tally improved. Capitalists will not have been
leu 10 Lake any ulueTeDC view OF their own inte-
rest, and will, therefore, go ON building just
such houses as they have found most profitable
hitherto.
1t is a fair question, therefore, whether large
donations made for benevolent purposes may
not be so used as to affect the whole class OF
those to be- benefited, instead of small por-
tion of its members. The interest of i've
millions of dollars would guarantee to capi.
talists fair profit for comfortable dwellings,
to be rented at low rates, which it would cost
fifty or hundred millions to build; and the
number of persons who would be benefited by
the donation thus bestowed would be ten or
twenty times as large as If it were to be applied
directly TO the erection of the houses them
selves. And the example thus afforded on
large scale could scarcely fail so to impress
capitalists in general as to exert "a very marked
effect upon the character and style of the
dwellings to be provided for the habitations
of the poor AS the only object OF
wealthy men who make these large donations
for the good of Others is to do as much good as
possible, these suggestions may be worth con
sldering.
The Reform Agitation ina Great Britain
John Bright's Movements.
From The Herald
The reform movement in England steadil!
progresses. Demonstration follows demon stra
non with astonishing regularity and success