The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-26

COOK ERY AND GRIM r.

What is it that recruits the criminal
classes OF the civilized world, and popu-
lates the cells Of penitentiaries! Orig
inal sin, replies some pious opponent OF
DR.. Briggs, and goes on his way rejoic-
ing that he is not as other men are; or
at least that other snen have not found
out the secret similarity. The ignorance
of the masses, shrleks some perfervid
enthusiast of education, who resolutely
shuts his eyes to baccarat games at
Tranby Croft, and mildly smiles on the
peccadilloes of the "upper crust" BAD
cooking, declares Professor Egleston, OF
Columbia college, and we tally one for
the professor. Crime and vices, 1t is mis-
belief, are the result of diseased condi-
tons. The average criminal is in such
a condition of body and mind tina he
has no desire to lead an honest life.
And the mental attitude is in much the
natural result of physical conditions.
Indigestible, badly prepared food pro-
duces inflammation of the stomach and
of all the organs Of the body. That
again is a condition Of things that pre-
disposes to excuses Of all kinds, to a
craving for %stimulants, physical and
mental. Result, man descends to the
level Of the brute.
In the professors theory there is
much food for thought. AS the old say
ing puts it, the ideal man is possessed OF
a sound mind in q sound body, We
have been trying to make ideal men for
a good many years now, and we seem to
be as far as ever from the goal we aim
at. Our efforts have been lop-sided.
We have been devoting nearly all our
attention to the mental and moral de-
velopment, and practically neglecting
the other. Plous people have wandered
through the slums of our great cities,
and have hoped to appease the terrible
throes of Institutions and hunger with
a namby PANTY tract. 1t would have
been as wise to try to check
the Missouri in flood by throw
ing a pebble into its waters.
Mrs. Darlington did her level best to
drive back the Atlantic with a mop, but
the result was not a shining success.
Sometimes, it is true, charitable effort
made q desperate attempt to pass the
take no thought for tomorrow" Rubi-
cor, and established the soup kitchen.
The soup kitchen failed to cope with
the flood of crime, and it's failure was
not unmerited. The idea was good;
the execution bad. 1t supplied relief; it
never attempted to teach self help;
and the shadow of the religious tract
always brooded over it.
That is not the gospel OF the kitchen
that the professor is preaching. He is
a scientist, and he looks at the matter
from a scientific, a physiological and a
social point of view. He would build up
the bodies of mel, women and children,
and leave it to others to produce the
mental and moral conditions they de-
siderate. If the poorly paid classes can
thoroughly nourlsh their bodies and
satisfy their appetites at an expenditure
of a small part of their small in
come. it ls perfectly plain that the
temptation to robbery, by violence or
cunning, will be materially reduced.
Under ordinary conditions, the wage
earners of this country average an ex-
penditure of 10 per cent. of their income
in food. BY following the methods adj
vocated by the professor, they can be
better nourished at a cost equaling
only 10 per cent. of their earning capac-
ity. Sixty-fve per cent. will be left for
other purposes. More living rooms,
purer air, more light, separation of the
sexes, these are only a few of the many
benefits that would accrue to the cause
of health and morals. Better than all,
improved food would mean improved
men and women, and the diminution of
the ranks of our criminals.