The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-12-14

ton winter.
The boys support themselves. In ma.
jority of cases they are not absolutely
needy, but they have cherries homes and
many wants in the way of clothing
In the readng-room is gymnasium and a
billiard table; from Z to $3.50 every night the
boys may be seen using these with a
zest that does the lockers on good.
Games and books are provided, a
kindly matron overlooks all, and no doubt
many a street waif has received here en-
couragement that has helped him to fight
his way into more promising occupation
-.
One of the city pulpits is filed by man
who was once superintendent of schools in
Japan-Rev Dr. w. E. Griffis of the Shaw
NUT Avenue Congregational church. DR..
Griffis is considered the greatest Amer
lean authority on Japan and Corea,
ana as a historian and editor is
known to the scholars of three continents.
He is perhaps the most learned minister in
Boston, not excepting Rev. Edward Everett
Hale and DR.. Dexter.
~.
"One half the world doesn't know how the
other half lives" but there are some earnest
reformers who intend to find out They
have made a house to house inspection of the
poorer quarters Of the city, and have found
out great many interesting things. OF
course crowded tenements are found to breed
many abuses, and landlords are blamed for
them, but it is not easy to see how crowding
is to be prevented. Thousands can only find
lodgings at all by crowding themselves to
such an extent that their combined resources
will pay for the rooms The average total
rental paid per week among nearly 1000
families from which were obtained returns
was $1.S6 Only thirty six families paid less
than 81 per week. and many others paid 90,
So ard 81 per week. The tenement house
population, taking the real value of their &C
commodations into account, ray dearer for
their lodgings than is paid by the well-to-do
classes; and the majority of them pay what
they cannot help it.
The remedy for this condition is not obvi-
ous The chief of the inspectors wants, in
the first place, regulations adopted which
shall limit the number of occupants of tene-
ment houses. Then he proposes that it shall
be made illegal to occupy inner and unventi-
lated rooms; and, furthermore, he urges the
widening of streets, the establishment of
more open squares, and the doing away with
some of the most objectionable houses now in
use.
The trouble with this plan is that it would
be likely to make rents in the 'slums"
higher, and SO bring more misery upon the
poorest people Under present economic
conditions, the abolition of one slum in the
march of improvement simply means the
creation of another a little farther along.
When the Fort Hill slum was done away
with, the South Boston slums came into ex-
istence.
But the existing tenements can be made
much cleaner. The recommendations which
apply directly to the removal of nuisances
the forcing of landlords to put in proper
plumbing, and the establishment of decent
means of drainage are entirely practicable
Here is sample of the condition of tene-
ment visited on Endicott street. blouse oc-
cupied by nine families. Nearly all the
sleeping rooms overcrowded; in one tenement
six persons sleeping on the kitchen floor.
Sinks trapped, but the plumbing work poor
and leaky, and some of the sinks very foul
and offensive to the smell. Halls dark and
unventiatei. Cellar damp from leakage of
water through walls and from defective
drainage pipes. As many as ten drunken
men at a time said to have been seen
asleep in this cellar; one corner of the cellar
covered with offensive matter. Said to have
been much sickness in the house."
A*a
The silence of Phillips Brooks in the public
school controversy has been painfully loud.
His influence is SO great that a word from
him was wanted. Now he has spoken, to say
that there are two defects in the school sys-
tenn which should be remedied The hands
should no longer be neglected for the benefit
of the head Alone and there should be moral
education. Religion should not be taught;
but morality-truth, honor and chastity
should be inculcated by precept and example.
Mr.. Brooks says the duty of the hour is to
cultivate public spirit which shall maintain
"the rugged old public school systemn
A big, bold man strolled into an auction
room the other night The place was well filled
with shabbily dressed men eying anxiously
the glittering jewelry that was selling below
cost. The big man watched operations for
an hour or two and then inter- upted the
salesman's harrangue. The latter had just
disposed of one of those massive, fioridly-
chased watches, which are peculiar to such
the style that might please
a stables boys fancy and might
cost $50 dozen. The auctioneer
tossed the article down with an exclamation
of disgust and shouted ''Thats the last watch
I'll sell to this crowd-only $40 for mag
nificent thermometer like that!n The big man
then replied THAT'S the fourth time might
you've sold that same watch to that man;
you're blamed fraud.n AS he was a big
man he was allowed to depart i'm peace, and
the store closed.
The too ofiicious man was ''held down.
hard on horse car the other night He was
ringing the bell for the women much oftener
than was necessary. The driver put his head
in the door and observed: 81 didn't know