The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-23
MIR. DANA'S GRTLT IDEA,
A Plan for the Prevention OF Misery
and Want-is Real Relief Impracti-
cable.
From the Sun, February 81

From the sun, February 81 ls74l
1t would seem to be high time In the progress Of
mankind that something less crude, and we might
say less barbarian, should be substituted for exist
ing methods OF relieving the Industrious DOOR II
the best thing we can suggest to help people who
are suffering hunger and restitution rom want Of
work Is to ladle soup out to them, should say
we are to be pited for want OF sense almost as
much as the poor are for want OF work. 1t dscloses
a barrenness OF mind anc an obtuseness OF percep-
ton that form direct reprOach to our sympathes
and denial OF the sincerity of our pretended
desire to aid them. For we are not stupid people,
and In those things which concern our own per-
sonal comfort We are bright enough In our contrlv
ances. In saying this we do not mean to direct
censure upon any individual; on the contrary, the
benevolence Of some is admirable; our reproach
is exclusively against the shortcomings Of society,"
Who wants soupf We may pretty safely say as 3
general rule that those who want 1t do not deserve
1t. 1t is not the decent and industrious workman
or wOrkwoman who wants IL, or VINO will go for it,
except IN the last extremity; and yet this is the
class Of people who. far above every other, de-
mand the sympathies and the aid of those who are
able to give. Our general arrangements are per-
haps good enough tor the vagabond poor. There are
poorhOuses and organized private charities which
provide for the shiftless and worthless who WON'T
work where they can, and can't work where they
would These are fixed quantity IN every society,
and their numbers no system has yet been able to
diminish. They are the helpless. blghted mem.
bers OF the race the chronic poor and dependent,
that may be set aside entirely from our calculations
in projecting any scheme ior tue deliysrsnce OF
head OF the decent Industrious poor. In dealing
with the problem OF relief IN seasons OF depression
such the present this Is the only class That need
much concern US
But for this class we desire TO ask IL the
intelligence and the wealth OF this great
city have nothing better to ofer than soup
gratuitOusly administered. Soup, IN Itself.
We do not object to. 1t is the Offering OF soup to
a decent man among crowd of vagabonds that Is
disgusting. 1t Is the spectacle OF great, Opulent,
luxurious society dweng IN perfumes me clotned 10
the gilt OF q crust and a bone to members OF that
class on whom that society rests, and by whom and
ing-that is to say, the decent. Industrious work
ing class. These are men and women who do not
the chance OF earning something when dull times
and misfortune overtake them. And we say It IL
of society that when 1t is appealed to in such CIR
cumstances its only response should be-Soup.
We see no ssason Why in a great city like New
not be established by individual effort, manulac-
turing and mechanical and even artistic centres,
where labor thrown out OF Its ordinary employ.
ment might find occupation at reduced rates OF
pay-centres OF industry. where individuals,
to do at prices which would AFFORD them lar more
than one or two bowls OF soup per day. II those
soup woulc only put their heads together as well
as their money! they might devise some practic-
able plan OF this sort that would cost them less,
and give to the necessitOus but worthy poor Q
thousand times more than oil their soup arrange
ments. II the principle OF thus providing Tor this
class were once accepted by the benevolent and
generous we cannot suppose there would be any
unconquerabe difficulty In adjusting the practical
details.
In the various manufactures OF wood, of leather,
OF IRON, and even of cotton, and wool, and paper,
and the thousand and one subordinate mixed tn-
dustries, an immense proportion OF the labor
thrown occasionally out OF It's customary avoca-
tons might find even remunerative employment
In such centres OF occupation for the unemployed.
o. course, such q scheme would have TO be based
the idea OF necessities recurring every year, or
at short intervals and 1t would be In providing
Tor these that all contributions would be
used. But think how far even the munincent
slons OF public suffering, would go toward
making good the margins OF loss in the
cate, wisely directed, at low rates of wages Why,
II even our prisons can be made sefsupporting,
what reason is there that establishments on
the principle OF half pay could not be made SOY
1t Is not at all impossible that sucn might be
| further developed by experience, and even rem
dered successful enterprises In pesuniary point
/ of view.
Is not this suggestion deserving the serious con-
sideraton of the wisely charitable, who must recog-
nize and iully.appreclate the totally inadequate
nature OF existing arrangements Tor the relief OF
| worthy and deserving class OF our popula-
! tionp The idea OF soup being substitute
existing condition OF things is such an inexpressi
| BILE burlesQue on human Intelligence that We must
hope our views will be pondered by those who are
and who are literally contributing OF their means
to relieve the suffering that surrounds us. .,l
1t would take o comparatively small sum to
initiate an experiment In some single branch OF
Industry; and II 1t should be successful as we feel
sure 1t might be, what wide vista OF hope IL would
open for the future OF every crowded community,
and what world OF genuine relief IL would a1Ord
to the estmable poor, as we'll as to those charita-
BILE souls who SO willingly employ time and money