New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-02
DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY.
DR. H. D. cHAPrN's PAPER READ AT THE AcAD-
EMY OLE MEDICINE.

ENVY OF MEDICINE.
The section on public health Of the New-forH
Academy Of Medicine met last night at No. 12 West
Thirtyhrst and discussed the question OF poverty
Tho annual election held before That part OF tho
business was taken up and Dr. Alexander Hadden was
unanimously reappointed chairman ana Dr' hohry
Z. Champion secretary.
The opeping paper was read by DR.. Henry D.
Chapu He entitled II The struggle for subsistence
How can the poor be aided in it3' Dr. Chapns
paper OF which only the nerest sketch can mere DO
given was a thoughtful and carefully prepared one
He held that In this democratic country was the helu
of na settlement OF the question Of subsistence bue
at present the influence Of vast hordes OF ignorant ana
degraded immigrants dlsturbs tho natural equilibrium
OF many OF the forces at work in our institutions,
and notably the question of poverty and the means Oh
suhsietenoe Here are some Of DR.. ChapIn's sayings
arpa ponuation found In hopeless poverty u sure 70
breed discomfort We waste much time In this country
boastinQ Of equal rights Is it not time that We began
10 talk more about equal powers, or the way 70 NY !"
obtain themf After seven years service among the
noores classes at Bellevue and the Dem Dispensares
IL has seemed to that physiology can afford the best
preliminary solution OF OF the problems OF SOCIOLOGY
Much physical well as moral health Is wasted among
the very poor by complete ignorance OF the simplest
hyglenlc lava This Is perhaps most notably seen In
egara 20 food No one who has the interior Of he
poorer tenements Of NewYork can imagine the art ana
discomfort in which many people I've Any improve
rent in the domlclies must DO accomplished by an I'M
proyea growth and development OF the inmates. The
Man pursued by oeava Ill., in London, appears 70 %
IN the right direction bad tenement IS taken ana
gradually improved somewhat according 70 the wishes and
always according 10 the needs Of tho inmates
Poverty Is apt 10 produce drinking haous Just ~
drinking is pretty to lead 10 poverty IL ficous
CIRCLE In NeYork the poorest districts arc those most
infected Intelligent help and reiiet are
10 be extended It follow Investigation OF inc
circumstances aud character Of those needing H. some
ming mora than money be taken 10 the poor ana
henless Anything that will broaden the range OF her
social relations win DO helpful BY treating uem more
as men and women and less poor people, peter results
will be obtained practical industrial training IS wha1
4, needed by the growing children OF the poor AS
basis for this elements OF simple Engsh eoueauoh
arc necessary Instead, tho pupils are cFan1neo WIN
great variety Of that will DO OF no futufe use 70
them, but rather unfit them for their career by All
means let US have all the higher education possoe ou
the state should not be obliged TO pay Tor the accomplish
oopts Of few when the money so expended Is urgehly
nodded for the rudmonary equipment OF the many Let e
state abolish colleges, and In their place erect eaoe
schools Let US start right by suitably equppns the
poorer classes for properly earning living wheh Is o
ers pbers for any one to Ill; and then they can rise
soodng "a the order OF their ability If this were
nyone done there would ideness less nenicency
and cofrespondlngly less want
In tho discussion of the question, Dr. chapin's
raner received much more support and approval
Than adverse criticism. Among tho speakers were
r,rosassor H. H. Boyesen who warmly advocated the
restriction OF lmmigraton the Rev. Willard PARSONS
Huntington, the Rev. DR.. II. b. Chaplin and W. "a
burlington.