The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-15

Calvinism has undergone important modiilca.
tiohs. DR.. Fisher In inclined to think no
other man has 30 strongly affected American
religious life. NJ. W. II.
Pensions for 0id Age.
It Is we'll known that one feature OF the elab-
crate system OF work mens insurance, estab-
lshed by law in Germany through the influ-
ence OF Prince Bismarck. Is the creation OF n
fund for tho support OF poor persons who are
too old to work. In England. also. public at.
tention has boon directed by Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain to the cxpedioncy OF making n
similar provision for the aged poor. Aschemo
for tho purpose has been submitted by Mr.
Charles Booth. who is recognized as a high
authority on all questions concerning the
condition OF the working classes. both In Lon
don and In the rural districts OF England. His
proposal has excited prolonged and earnest
discussion in English newspapers. and tho
doubts cast upon the necessity OF the proposed
pensioning OF old ago and upon the practicable
ity OF tho plan advocated by him. have caused
him to examine the subject at length In book
called Paupe''ism and the EndO,cnent Of Old AGE
tMacmillansl In the first part OF this volume
the author sets forth the proofs OF the made
quincy Of the existing systonl OF relief. 80 far as
old-age pauperism is concerned: the second
part Is an argument for the adoption Of his
scheme. The book in truth is an arsenal OF
facts and deductions which will be turned to
account in the next Parliament by Mr.. Cham
berlain and others who are already committed
to the philanthropic movement OF which Mr..
Booth Is the most vigorous representative.
Information as to the amount Of old-age
>rt- L. L. 80
Until recently there were no particulars what
ever in existence. and reliance is now placed
almost exclusively on what is known as "Mr.
Burt's Return" which gives the number Of old
people. including lunatics and Migrants. In re-
ceipt of outdoor or indoor relief on Aug. !,
1880. rs 296.S67 persons over 60 years OF
age. 1t is to be noted that tho women are very
much moro numerous than tho men. being on
the whole as 176 to 100 over IS years OF age,
and as 105 to 100 between tho years OF 90 and
90. The larger proportion OF women be.
low 05 seems to indicate that It is
not till considerably Inter in life than
with women that old age renders It necessary
for mon to obtain parish relief. These. be 1t
observed. are tho numbers returned on one
day. and include those receiving medical aid
only. Mr.. Booth deems 1t probable that In the
case OF paupers Of all ages. excluding lunatics
on one day to arrive at the total number re-
loved in year. But as people grow older
they become more settled in their habits. and
q larger proportion Of those who occasionally
accept relief either enter the poorhouse to
stay there. or receive out-reief in permanent
form. The deduction for the deaths occur
ring during the year also chiefly affects the
old. The result is that instead OF doubling
the number relieved on one day to get the
true number Of the aged poor. We do not need
to add moro than from 80 to so per cent The
correctness Of this assumption has been
proved by actual count in five uniona It fol-
lows that the number OF INDECENT persons in
England over 90 years OF ago is from 375. 900
to 435.0OO; Mr. Booths estimate is $4,000.
This is very large percentage Of the whole
number Of persons over 90 years OF age. The
:atio Of paupers to population Is between tho
ages Of 10 and 60 less than 4 per cent. but
between the years Of 90 and 65 the rate rises
to about 8 per cent. while for those over 65 1t
is nearly 20 per cent 1t is. OF course impos-
sible to distinguish between the direct and
indirect influence OF old age on pauperism. for
age aggravates all the other causes, but,
directly or indirectly. tho effect Of old age on
pauperism Is measured BY the increase in
percentage.
Mr.. Booth expresses truth which has struck
many observers when he says that old age
fares hardly in our times The current OF
life runs more forcibly than 1t used to run.
and tho old tend to DO thrown out Not only
does work go faster and require more perfect
norve. but It changes its character moro fire.
Quently and new mcn-younG men-are needed
to take hold Of the new machines or new
methods employed. The community gains by
this. but tho old people sufror. They suffer
hov n v of mil I'M mott tor
the fact that man is old is often In itself
enough to debar him from obtaining work.
Neither will any one who has given
attention to the subject gsinsay Mr.. Booths
declaration that those who have worked for q
lifetime have claim to something more than
social charity. Especially cogent is this argu-
ment when applied to women who have often
spont lives OF the most active aud invaluable
without ever having the smallest
opportunity for saving. Their husbands
give them from their wages the sum thoy
think necessary for current expenses Of tho
and expect very full Qnid pro quo
In solid comfort. Men often die leaving an
elderly widow destitute. or with little more
than enough comm. from some friendly So
ciety to dcfray her husband 8 funeral ex penses:
and there may or may not be children able or
willing to give their mother home.
II.
1t Is clear then that the amount OF old age
though not SO groat as has been
sometimes asserted. Is very serious. Mr..
Booth also finds it very easy to show that un-
der the existing English Poor law aged pau.
pers are rot treated as they should be: indoor
relief lacks humanity and outdoor encour.
ages improvidence. Philanthropists are
therefore justified In seeking some better
plan. Pensions ut tho age OF sixty-Rve have
been suggested. to be acquired volunt arily
with State md. But to bo off ctual tho system
must be universal. or tho improvident would
still trust to tho rates. and their treatm ont
would increasingly osclllate. as 1t does now, be.
tween foolish kindness aud unpopular sever.
ty. II tho system Is to be universal Il
must be compulsory: and II compulsory its