The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-02-27

If fuel or provisions are needed, the dis
trict visitor makes the proper requisition up-
on the dealer, or the treasurer and herself
sees that the articles are delivered.
We do not do work in the slipshod uusys
tematic way which your article implies and
we do work in precisely the way you recon.
mend. 1t is not very pleasant to be thus
obliged to sound our own praises; but the
various editors ofihe city have not taken
any interest in the work beyond giving US
the space needed for our reports They
have apparently not thought the matter
worth investigating; hence such errors as
the one which called froth this statement
From the report in another column some
thing may be learned as to what we have
done. Between thirty and forty families
have been comfortably clothed, and thirty
seven families have been supplied with fuel
and provisions. The sick have been looked
after, cared for professionally, and have
been furnished with medicines and delica-
cies. The society has even loaned them
stoves and beds. and given them bedding.
Over sixty children are being taught TO sew
in the weekly sewing school. In short, it
is believed there is not single case of desti-
tuition or suffering in the city which has not
been relieved either by the society or by the
city authorities,
l have alluded to worthy and unworthy cases.
For it is painful fact that the latter do exist
And if you, Mr.. Editor, had made the rounds
with some Of our lady visitors, think you
would modify the opinion expressed in an
other editorial as to the barbarity of the
whipping post. There are men in the world
men in this community could give you
the ma les of several, whom verify believe
could be reformed by nothing short of
twenty lashss on the bare back, the dose to
be repeated pro re nata. They are men who
are skilled tradesmen, and who could al
ways have employment. But they will not
work-positively refuse work when it is
offered them,--or work long enough 70 re-
ceiye a little money which they forth with
spend for liquor. For their families they
have not as much care as they have for their
dogs. Their families are known throughout
the community as being chronic beggars.'
To refuse TO supply the needs of suffering
children because Of the parents sin seems
cruel. And yet as long as they are clothed
and fed the lazy lout has no call to work.
1t has been suggested that these men be ar
rested under the vagrancy act then, if con-
victed the family will be relieved for the
time being of their support.
The society has seriously thought of Fur
suing this course, and has the names of two
or three such individuals before it awaiting
action. Il is only deferred by the consider
alton of the fact that in such case the Gull
prit would be comfortably fed and lodged
while the family would be still objects of
charity. In other words, they would suffer
for his crime, while he would be in compare,
tive comfort Now, would not the whipping
post be "great moral agent in such
cases Then the offender himself would
suffer for his sin. And it is well known
that there is no such deterrent from sin as
the dread of physical pain. venture the
statement that if the records in the state of
Delaware could be searched the cases would
be found very rare indeed where the same
individual was whipped more than once
Whereas " old offenders are as common in
our police courts as new ones On the
whole, am inclined to think that if we
could renew the whipping post for minor
offences, such as drunkenness, refusing to
support ones family, petty larceny and the
like, that the community would feel the
beneficial effects at once. But as the Jail is
our only resource, the society will perhaps
prosecute these eulprits and send them
there for while. We only hope the Jail
will not fall down while they are there. We
shall at least know that they az not benefit
by the food and fuel sent to their wives and
babies. There is strong feeling in the
society in favor of such course, and the
state Jaws are being looked up with a
view to action.
Thanking you for the space you have
given me, am
Yours Respectfully,
s. ]. FRENCH