Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-11-20
rvC nrsnRTs OF PAUpERIsM.

THE DESERTS OF PAUPERIsM.
How to assist the needy and unfortu-
nats poor, and yet not encourage thrift
lsssness and pauperism, i a problem
chat has tronbledfh philanthropic and
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES alltime. Every
day we witness the extremes OF opinion
in practical operation on our streets
BY one class Of philosophers We see
the crouching cripple and the ragged
bespar of aims passed by with utter in
difference, while another class ever be-
tray their sympathiesby substantial be-
stowment Of charity.
When legislaturesand conventions dis
cuss the subject We have always a d.
vision OF the house marked by stoicism
and sentimentalism, each carrying sutii-
Gent strength to thwart the schemes OF
the other. During the general discus
sion that has grown out OF the increase
OF the tramp" population, We have had
men advocating what might be called
practical application of Darwinianism TO
the rising generations. They would es-
tablish human "dog pelters' III every
community who shonld be invested
with authority to batter Oft the heads OF
every eccentric individual who dared to
deyiate from a prescribed line. The
man who was found to have lost his
wits in the intoxicating cup; or who had
suusndered his substance in riOtous liv-
ing; or disclosed an idleness or imbecil-
ity in business that left his family and
himself in want; or had dwarfed his
manhood in lustful indulgence; or
perchance, had come into the world ex-
hibiting a deiormity OF physique; or IN
any manner failed to measure up to the
moral and physical standard-all these,
shouldbe setupon blythe dog-pelters and
battered to death. Thus, in the course
of time, the world would be rid OF all
moral, and physical monstrositieS and
We would have only the survival OF the
fittest." This is very cool and COM
prehensive view of the case. that if
faithfully carried out would undoubted-
ly effect the object.
On the other hand there are those
who would establish, as it were, a
national sheep-fold and gather in all the
unfortunate, oppressed, and even the
complaining out of the whole land to
be fed at the hands of a common shep-
herd at the shepherds expense; or they
would have division OF property, 50
that those who were too idle To work
and had gained nothing, might share
the bounty OF those, who throug II much
tribulation had laid by little; or they
would be satisfied ii Uncle SAM would
take the matter in hand and either dis
pense them gold and scrip from the pub
lie treasury or have them fed at the public
crib.
As in all other questions OF this char
acter there is happy medium between
the extremes, and we are not certain,
but that in the dispensations OF charity
throughout the country, this medium is
mostly recognized and acted upon.
There are certain fundamental facts to
be observed in dealing with the subject,
that we do not remember ever to have
seen more cosently presented than in
the following paragraph from thepen OF
DR.. J. S. HOLLAND:
"The case, prtmn Jucis, Is always
against a'pauper. The accidents OF lie
sometimes cast a man or woman hlgh
| and dry upon the sands OF a helpless
poverty; but usually pauperism comes
| through lack OF the prudential virtues.
| 1t is not always that Il paupcr wastes his
revenues i'm drink, or other immorall-
ties: but somew here in his career, forty
nine times in fifty, il will be found that
he has been extravigant; that he has not
exercised self-denial under temptation
that he has lived up to or beyond his
| lltdllS, vi UdS NCliSuiNt upon ii'NE' 'i't''
the lowest grade of business prudence
would condemn. Now, who is to bear
the penalty of these sins and mistakes
How are they to be prevented in future,
il those who commit them, regardless OF
consequences, are to be coddled and
taken care of by those who have denied
themselves and laid up little wealth
Good, rugged, grand old Thomas Car
| lyle 1t is refreshing To read amid the
mawklsh sentimentality oil this latter
time such healthy utterance rs this from
from his sturdy pen: Let wasteful'
ness, idlcness, improvidence take the
::ate which God has appointed them,
that their opposites may also have a
chance for their fate" AS il is, our phil
anthropists try to make us believe that
the special business OF thrifty man is
not in any way to enjoy the fruit of his
prudence and enterprise, hut to shield
the shiftless people around him from
the results OF their own imprudcnce
and improvidence.