St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-02
FREE K1NDERGARrENs.

It is the spirit of true philanthropy
not to let the left hand know what the
right is doing, and perhaps there has
been no charitable movement inaugu-
rated in this city which has more
strictly conformed to the Scripturalide
than the free kindergarten work. Pos
sibly not one-half Of the people of st.
Paul know that there are free kinder
gartens in this city; and yet it is prob
able that more actual good is accom-
plished by those who have the work in
charge than by any other class Of phi
lanthrOpists.
The kindergarten is of German origin.
and Of comparatively recent date. Yet
the value of the system as helper to
education was so readily appreciated
that it was quickly transplanted to this
continent; and, in fact, it now forms an
important feature in the educational
system Of all countries which foster ed
ucation. Private kindergarten schools
are established in all of our American
cities, where they are patroniZed by the
wealthy classes. But it occurred to
some person of philanthropic turn of
mind that system of so much value as
to attract the patronage of the rich
ought TO be brought within the reach of
the poorer classes. and they set about
to lnaugurate free kindergartenS. Rev.
Il. Z. MITCHELL was the first to take up
the matter in this city, and little over
three years ago established free kin
dergarten in connection with the work
of the relief society. Since that time,
under the energetic supervision of Mrs.
CARL LUDWIG, three other schools have
been established, and all of them in To-
calitieS where they are likely to accom-
plish the most good. There is one in
the neighborhood of Swede Hollow,
one on the Bohemian fats, one
on the West side in Faith chapel, and
the parent school in the relief building
on Ninth street. Over $50 children I'M
der the age of six receive free training
and instruction in these four schools.
the most flourishing being the one on
the West side. The schools are sup
ported wholly by private donations,
while Mrs. LUDWIG and the other Off
GERS contribute their services free. 1t
costs on an average of about $500 annu-
ally to each school, or $4,000 in all. The
moneyis expended in payment of teach
ers, rent of school houses and for fuel
and furnishings. A visit to one of these
schools will convince person of the
good resulting from this work, which
has tendency to elevate these little
ones and fit them for leading better
lives than early surroundings could be
likely to develop without the assistance
of the free kindergarten. The training
received by these children likewise
reflects good impression upon their
humble homes, some of them so humble
as hardly to be deserving the name of
nome. Those who have contributed to
TINS worthy charity for the most part
nave gone about it in the proper spirit
OF philanthropy. They have not pub
Iished their charitable deeds from the
house tops, nor proclaimed them in the
streets. While some persons of wealth
are generous contributors, there are also
many of quite moderate means. For
instance. one lady contributes IS
monthly from her pin money: young
lawyer with small practice gives so
cents month because he believes he is
aiding TO reduce crime in the minimum.
and others, actuated by similar motives,
are among the contributors.
1t has recently been suggested that
the city government should take upon
itself the support of these free kIndergar-
tens. The burthen would be very light
in comparison with the benefits. ANY
thing that will prevent the increase of
the criminal classes is legiti mately
matter of public concern. These kinder-