The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-08-01
THE LATEST CURE.
From the Detroit Free Press.

THE LATEST CURE.
From the Detroit Free Press.
The existence OF pauperism and the un-
doubted encouragement given to it by the
present poor Law system of England, and, to
some extent, Of this country, Is perpetually
prompting suggestions for a remedy. Among
them Is a plan for national insurance against
sickness and the restitution Of old age. 1t is
invented by the Rev. w. L. Blackley and found
ed upon institutions already in existence.
He proposes that every young man between
the ages Of IS and 81 shall be compelled during
those years to deposit the sum Of fl0 (S50)
with the government to be invested for him at
compound interest. The investment will en-
able the insured to receive eight shllings (s2)
every week during sickness and half that
amount per week after no has reached the age
OF 70. This, he claims, would largely do away
besides being q measure OF true economy be-
cause 1t would add to the united production of
the community. For it would not only aid in
teaching economy to the thriftless early in life,
and 80 perhaps instilling it as lifelong vir-
tue, but it would convert the vicious and the
idle into at least temporary producers. 1t will,
say the DIRECTORS, be impossible to get fifty
dollars out OF the vast number OF rough, vio-
lent, penniless and lawless men that every
where abound. The plan is, he replies, to get
it out Of them before they become rough and
lawless. Those unwilling to contribute sixteen
dollars year as provision against sickness
or old age Will be young paupers, young drunk
ards, young thieves and young Migrants. If
the young paupsr goes to the work-house let
him be set to work at low wages until he has
earned the necessary amount Of insurance. II
he be young thief and have no insurance
card to show, let HIM be put to work in the
jail until he earned the cost OF his keeping and
his insurance. He will be none the worse for
it, and he may be saved from the gallows by it.
Society certainly will be saved three years OF
his depredations. And 30 with the tramp. the
vagabond and the drunkard. II they have
naught to show in proof that they have laid I'D
anything against the storm and stress of life |
let them work until they have earned the
amount necessary to assure themselves relief |
To the many objections which naturally arise
and are urged against this scheme, its author
points to the success which, on smaller scale.
t has already achieved in the Friendly societies.
The Foresters and the Odd Fellows. These
accomplish, with considerable friction, by con-
anuous payments, at large expense and damag-
ng rivalry, what he proposes to accomplish
simply and economically, and at period in a
mans life when, generally unmarried the saw
ng Of few dollars a year will not only be
mail hardship, bat rather outing off of IN
in many cases vicious. which impair
he health and working capacity OF the laborer
md make his support by the community all the ,
more probable. 1t would help keep HIM from {
tarvation with his own money not as now.
With other peoples money. 1t certainly ia az
ust to compel thriftless man to provide for
himself as to force thrifty man to provide, as
10 must now, for a thriftless neighbor. II
night, indeed, be called poor tax or Door
ate under another name; but it is no matter .
That it is called, provided the scheme OF max ,
ls every man insure his future ID successful. I
Another objection is, that it would open wide |
ne door for fraud In respect, at least, to sick
ess; afording many chances for mangeripg
r feigned illness. To this the author OF the !
Ian appeals to the experience Of the vounte er :
ocieties founded upon the same principle. II !.
here be fraud in their workings their assess !,
tents are large enough to include that in the
abilities, and his proposed assessment will q
also. II they do not suffer from much a
aud, then in society where the whole popu- t
tion would be interested in detecting and pre- I
enting it, its success would be- by SO much the I
lore doubtful. a
Even IL 1t prove not perfect in its operation !, !.
asserts that it has claims to establishment :.
IMPLY by reason Of its diminishing pauperism. 4
ne annual cost per pauper in England now
Hceeds $40 year; while this plan proposes
lat flO shall be laid by once for all TO ipsnre -
le community against the annual burden. II
Inc plan is certainly ingenious and plausible. u
'd' SO far as 1t is based on the general prip- q
pic OF compelling every man to support him Ia
'if' is entirely sound. whether a national w
'ciety would be as successful as numerous \,
nall societies Is one Of those Unknown copd-