New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-12
a SPLENDID BENEF4CTION.

Baron Hirschs gift of S2,400,0 600 for the
relief and education of Hebrew immigrants IN
this country is not remarkable only 1of us
splendid proportions but also for the manner
and purpose of its application. A large part OF
the Hebrews who come hither are industrious
and frugal by nature, and therefore they do
not long remain pccuniary burden to the COM
munity. To become good citizens, however,
they need much, which, unassisted, they are
less likely to obtain than some other classes OF
immigrants The languages which they speak,
the religious faith which they profess, and their
inherited tendency to segregation etard the
assjmiatng processes Of our civilization and
keep them aliens long after they have become
voters 1t is true, as a matter Of course, that
these conditions are not universal but 1t Is
equally true that they are prevalent.
It is the determination of the trustees OF the
IIirsch fund to make its beneficaries good cit
liens of their adopted country, not merely 10
promote their material wel-being as indlvid-
uals. The great income at their disposal is to
be devoted to 1.-THE relief and education" OF
immigrants Not dollar of it will be expend-
ed except in such a manner as to discourage
mendcancy and promote Scf-respcct Inc
basis of this bcnefcent enterprise is instruction
in the language and customs of the country
The trustees, who have wisely and generously
been left unhampred have found it necessary
10 establish schools for Hebrew children, both
because there i, acl, of accommodation for
them elsewhere and also because in many cases
they must begin under teachers who speak their
own languages. But these places of instruction
are invariably made the means f entering on
the benefits of the public school system The
children who attend them are taught to read
and speak English. and required TO learn the
rudimentS Of the comnon>chool curriculum
schools for teachers driven out of Russia by
their own Government and for other adults who
are ambitious 10 improve their condition nave
also been established As well Is a technical
school where immigrants are fitted for various
empoymcntS. The promise OF work held out
is kept and during the last six months places
have been found for nearly 5000 individuals,
some of whom came here with little money
in hand and some in utter poverty but all in
need of counsel and direction.
The most significant feature Of this wise char
ity is the stimulus which it gives to manlineSs
and independence Of spirit by its methods OF
administration. The trustees make no gifts Of
money hut loan necessary sums which are re-
paid in nStalmentS without interest; and 1t IS
a notable fact that the immigrants thus trusted
have invariably proved faithful to the oblgl-
tons which they incurred. Altogether the eX-
pertinent. if experiment it can still be called, is
most interesting and hopeful We have lately
attained gratifying measure OF success in the
exclusion OF foreign refuse but the ccaselesS
stream Of immigration remains for the most
part niiltcrcd Baron lIir,ch's noble plan for
the elevation of the Hebrew element in 0ur
population to an appreciation Of American citi-
zenShip is of great importance, not only to those
who are thus qualified to take advantage of its
opportunities, but also to the Nation.