Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-22
The Problem of the Slums.

The London Times at present is engaged
in the characteristic employment of the
arstocratic school of English politics
| which is to throw cold water on all organic
efforts to prevent the multiplication of
human wrecks through institutions both
| preventive and remedial, new opportuni-
| ties for the play of individual ambition to
| get on in the world. The English
taisssz fare school assumes that the Slums
are the Slums because they naturally are
the Slums, and that to deport them to
agricultural colonies. would be fighting
against tre laws of God. Nothing could
he more cruel or heartless than this an
togonisn; tor it is not assumed that by any
sudden presto change, social transformations
are to be accomplished; but it is clear
that when there are 100 600 unemployed in
single city, he who undertakes an indus
trial regeneration, begins at the right point.
1t is Gen. Booths purpose to give those
who don't work. chance to work, and
only those who show themselves capable
of industry. are to be received into his
colony. At the outset he puts on idleness
! ban and on industry premium.
John Burns says there are in London to-
day 60 ,OO0 to so 900 prostitutes. most of
whom, he thinks, would leave their life OF
shame could they be guaranteed eight cents
a
SADIE against immortality are the open spaces
! and the chances to work to which Gen.
| Booths scheme would invite the poor,
supplying at least, work on the soil and
primary help to self help.
Now, against the efforts Of the Salvation
Army bTavely seconded by such noble men
aS Canon Farrar, we have comfortable
saCerdotaliSm. debating what way it shall
look when II says it's prayers ana employ
| ing its force in the fine casuistries of the
| ruDric. The London Times has been Civ
| ing special attention to the trial of Bishop
King, on whom ali high church England
has focused its attention for some time.
, The Bishop, it will he remembered, was
4, cG>cd of at least six uulaw full actions or
,tIuns which contra,enc the rubrics. 1t
WIS alleged that when he was officiating
at The communion in Lincoln Cathedral, a.
well s> al minor church in the same city
he mixed water with the wine given to the
commandments, and that, after pouring
wine and water into the chalicc lac drank
II up in the presence Of the congregation.
nr,'ler he was accused Of allowing two
iIShi,d candies To stand the altar on
the same occasions, Of standing while CON
secrating the elements on the wrong side
of the altar. making the sign of the cross
in the absolution and In the benedictou.
and of permitting an anthem called the
"Agrus Der to be sung. Now. while the
English aristo"raCy and the London Times
were concentrating their attention on these
matters, there arose from the ranks such
men as General Booth with a definite plan
for the rescue oi the perishng, and we
have seen with what sneers and with what
personal denunCiations the IhuHdtrtr m
drrtskes To discredit efforts for the relief Of
"a toll IL IL Al,
been sanctioned by the best judgment of
Christian England. If Booth'> efforts
come to naught, the London Times should
have the credit Of the achievement
Opposition to the hugles Of the Salvation
Army j. inspired ~ ta-tidious religious
H>thttiClsm, nau>eated hy want Of good
taste exhibited in savin. men II is not
necessary to admire the hugler, but 10 see
tne result j. wise Wesley whose work
was largely in the open fields not a cannon
shot away from the office of the London
Times, was criticised in his day in the
same way and by the same sort of >anctity.
Al this stage of civilization the master
key Of social Improvement is wages
and it ought To 20 without saying that in a
city where 100 900 person, are without
work almost hahItually, he is the philan-
thrupi>t we ought to have, who Shall give
the secret Of Gen. Booths plan of indus
try and colonization. In eudeavoring to
dl>Credit and crush those who come for
ward with definite plan, the London
filnfs l. engaged in business as contempt
DE a. ii unquestionahy Is aristocratic-
III London aud other great cities Of Eng
land wait for plan and man that are
not open To some objection, they will lind
in the Slums which they are heedles>y
nursing, danger spots that may yet gravely
imperil the social health and political wei
fare not only of the larger London but
also Of the Greater Britain.
In this palace of remedial and distrihu-
tive justice there are many mansions, and
without pronounCiug infallibly for Gen.
Booths structure. we feel like confidently
pionouncing against the iconoclastC hands
OF those who never have built but are
hu>ying themselves, like the devil in gale
Of wind, tearing down the Generals scati-
olding LetristoH JourHd{