National Republican., 1885-03-28
THE cREMAToRY PROJECT.

New Start TO be Given the Scheme
One OF the Promoters Upon the Adj
vnntages of Burning Bodies.
With tho advent Of spring new life has
been instilled into the proposition for tho
erection Of a crematory in this city, and,
learning that meeting Of the advocates
ofincinoration here is about to take place
o reporter of THE REPUBLICAN called
upon DIR. j. w. schoeneckor, on Twelfth
street, one of tho gentlemen prominently
identified with tho initiatory movements
OF last year In that direction. to learn
what stops are to be taken. The doctor
was found chatting with freshl y-steamod
patient, who sat by the parlor stove TO
cool of.
1--WE intend to have meeting in tho
course Of week or ton days" he said.
"aud will be glad to have everybody
attend IL who takes an interest in this
important subject, for the more II Is pub
iiciy discussed the stronger the hold IL
will take among thinking people. and the
greater favor 1t will find in the end"
"Do you not hnd tho idea repugnant to
those whom you seek to interest in tho
movement" the reporter asked.
"Wo do not take this matter up as a
mission" the doctor replied, "and there
fore do not make missionaries OF our
selves. While we are ready to discuss
the advantages Of cremation, we leave
the growth of public sentiment in that
respect to the force progressive ideas de-
velop within themselves in our enlight-
ened times. 1t has already become a
serious question with the overcrowded
cities Of Europe what to do with their
dead, and their cemeteries, after assum-
ing gigantic proportions, are invaded by
the ruthless onward march of modern
growth Of cities and the necessities Of
the living, and, as a result, the places
once oonsecrated by the prayers Of the de-
youtly religious the tesrs of the Sereayed =,
aud the ceremonies of the church, to be
the eternal resting places of fathers,
mothers, children, husbands, and wives,
become the tramping ground for regi-
ments Of soldiers, the sites of immense
industrial establishments. or, worse
still, the location for densely popu-
lated streets whose inhabitants fire.
quently draw upon that same ground
for the water used In the suste-
nance of life. You know that in China the
dead are buried mostly in the gardens,
and the vegetables and fruit grown upon
the graves are consumed by the family,
Even with us it is no infrequent occur
renee to find the grass cut from cemo-
tories fed to the cows whose milk goes to
feed our infants. Now, leave II to any
reasoning man or woman to say whether
there is more genuine regard for the
dear departed in that than there is In
the reduction of their mouldering
easily taken -care-of residue of ashes
which can be removed from every posi-,
bility of PROCLAMATION by their retention In
the family, or interment in gardens
groves, or other suitable places. So much
for sentimentality, to say nothing Of tn,
great sanitary benefits following in the
wake Of cremation"
"Some people," the reporter timidly
interjected, say it is unpleasantly sug
gestive of Hades."
'Rather the opposite. The possession
of the ashes must demonstrate to tho mos
orthodox believer in an uncomfortably
hot Thereafter" dd ocul0s that the flesh
at lenst, of the dear departed is no
In torment, and. as incineration is pre-
ominentlya purifying process, to those
strong in orthodox faith tho inference
ought to be an easy matter that their be-
loved friends souls, unfettered by the
sins Of the flesh, have found rest with the
heavenly hosts"
ave have number of Baltimore peo
pie with u.s." the doctor continued, "and
there are number of prominent peopl,
here who dislike to appear as actively
participating in our movement, who
heartily support it and will give us effec
tive assistance. Meanwhile those wht
are ready to face public prejudice can bu
slowly proceed, however. and so soon al
The meeting can be called we will give
public notice OF it."