Morris tribune., 1880-09-16
The Conncmara settlement.

An article recently published in these
columns, calling attention publicly to the
reported condition of the COnnemara set,
tiers, has caused some comment, and in
order to do the management full justice
we give the following facts as kindly fur,
nished by Bishop Ireland and the Rev.
James Nugent, who have just returned
from visit to the colony:
In order to comprehend the true situa-
ton it is necessary to understand the class
of people who compose this colony, and as
the Rev. MIR. Nugent is the prime mover
in this matter, having been one of the
English commission appointed to visit
Ireland in the interest of these people, his
description of the character, surround
ings and condition of the residents of that
portion of Ireland may be- briefly summed
up as follows: They have lived as pau
pers, resided in one of the most barren
regions of Ireland, and having always
been dependent in great measure upon
outside aid, or charity, have been un-
manned. AS will be readily seen, no
charitable policy will be successful with
these people, and it is consequently neces.
sary that they be treated altogether differ
emily They will have to be educated to
work and become seifsupporting, and to
carry out this plan, Bishop Ireland pro-
poses to make them industrious by adopt
ing such measures as will give them
wages, food, clothing and shelter, if they
will only work. The bishops reasons for
not making his plans public will be readily
understood, for if these people, born and
trained as paupers, were to have the I'M
preston that they ocald live without work,
the whole scheme Of making them what
they should. be would fail, as it would be
only natural for them to be indolent, lazy
and shiftless, when they could fare fully
Us well as if they earned their living.
Father Nugent, as we have said, is at the
head of this colonization scheme, and he
states that the improved condition of these
people is astonishing and marvellous to one
acquainted with their previous circum-
stances. They are contented, are becom.
ing Industrious, and are satisfied with their
homes in the West. They understand that
they cannot live here without work, and
are as rule disposed to do right, and look
forward hopefully to new and brighter
future
Bishop Ireland states that but three fam
lilies have left the colony, and of the num-
ber now there, all are at work, but five of
the whole number working for him for
one dollar per day, the remainder securing
employment at wages averaging from one
dollar and fifty cents to two dollars. There
are but five families in the colony, with.
out children who are not earning wages.
There are thirty five girls, daughters Of
colonists, in st. Paul, earning from eight
to twelve dollars per month and board
and forty-fve young men who average
sixteen dollars per month. A large por
tion of their wages go to their parents, anC
already over $500 of their earnings have
been forwarded to the families. All have
hay secured for winter, each family has {
COW, their houses are being sodded, shin
gled and made warm, and wells are being
dug A few families who remained in St
Paul will be sent up in the spring to take
the places of those who have left, and al
arrangements are made to have the lane
now prepared properly seeded next season
The bishop earnestly desires that the pub
lie do not, by any misplaced charity, unin
tentionally thwart his plans, there will b
and is ample provision for the support o.
these people, and those of them who leav,
or may leave, are, or will not be deserving
of aid. Charity in their case would be d
| liquor to an inebriate.