The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-07
Ably Discussed In Chicago BY Editor
Stead.
HOW SHALL We CARE FOR POOR /?
Their Condition in Chicago Worse Than
That Of the Unemployed In London.
Dsnso de vcntre an Outrage on Good
Morals.


pressions Of the country" said w. 7.
Stead, yesterday, "but / am deeply i'm
terested in the country and It's social
problems. / am earnestly interested in
the action which the police of New York
have taken about the danse de ventre. 1t
is n matter of amazement to me that SO
great an outrage upon good manners and
good morals should have been permitted
for single day In any civilized country.
When the dance was introduced In Lon
don it was promptly stopped on the first
day Of its appearance; but here In Chicago
where the city ordinance provides that any
person guilty of an indecent act or behav-
ior in a public place shall be fined from go
TO 500, this revolving exhibition is pub
licly performed without any protest from
the authorities or from the conscience OF
the public
~ do not believe that such an exhibit
ton before mixed audience of men and
women would DO tolerated In any oriental
town.
IL Is Melancholy to Think
that an American city should sink below
the moral standard OF Constantinople
New York, in this respect, has set an ex-
ample which this city will do we'll To fol-
low. although, for the most part, Chicago
is not inclined TO follow the lead of any
CITY,"
''what is your idea of the Parkhurst
crusade and the order for the closing OF
immoral houses,' II know Qr. Park
hurst, and / have watched his crusade
with interest and sympathy, not alto
gether unmixed with alarm. The danger
L. xl..f In Est.ex f<,
exterpate vice, 1t provokes a reaction in
favor OF the vicious, who are the victims
OF righteous raids of reformers.
''There is no doubt that the relations be-
tween the police and the unfortunate
women is often productive of the most
heinous scandals connected with the ad-
ministration OF law AMI order, and Dr.
Psrkhurst has done good service in drag
ging it to the light, but as to
The Closing Of Immoral Houses.
irrespective of whether or not they consti-
tute public nuisance or n public incite-
ment TO immortality, that is another ques-
tion.
IF DR.. Parkhurst or the authorities are
prepared TO offer to the inmates Of the
houses which they close shelter and food.
they may succeed la making an improve
ment where it is badly needed, but the last
state will be worse than the first II it
should be proved that the unfortunate
women against whom this decree is
launched have been turned out into the
streets TO starve.
"The question, however, which Is abb
sorbiDg all my time at present, is the
question of the unemployed, which Is
much greater in proportion and far more
serious in its immediate dangers than ST.
lent vice. The condition of the helpless
destitute, so far as the public shelters are
concerned, is much worse in Chicago than
/ have seen it In London.
"Tbe problem OF the unemployed is one
of international interest, which confronus
us everywhere We have long be esn famil-
lar with it in the old country, nor can we
pretend at present to have discovered any
specific
For Relieving This Social Malady.
81 was in hope that in coming to this
new country, and really to the foremost
city of the western continent, i might
pick up some hiatt that might be useful to
US in London and would be valuable
contribution to the discussion which goes
on unc easingly in the Old World. So far,
/ confess, l have been somewhat disap-
pointed, but am full Of hope as to the
future.
"There can be no doubt that there is an
inadequacy in your arrangements for pro-
viding shelter for the homeless destitute.
We have many shortcomings, IL is true,
but we have at least emerged from the
state in which we used police stations as
municipal lodging houses for the non
criminal unemployed, nor do l know Of
any city in the old world which would al
low it's municipal palace to be turned
night after night into a camping ground
for hundreds of homeless wanderers.
"rhe first practical propo.al for the re-
lief of the unemployed is the establish
ment Of place where the worthless worker
can at least earn his rations aud from
which he can pass in due course either to
far colony, or, where trade revives. to his
old place in the ranks of industry
"All practicable schemes are based upon
one natural principle, namely, that the
community ought at least to save the poor
est of its members, IL they are willing to
work, from having TO herd with criminals
OF TO sleep on steps or the
Stone Floor OF n Public Building.
At the close Of series Of revival meet
ings at the Church of the Covenant last
night, Parson David j. Breed said that in
view of the fact that 1000 persons were
nightly without shelter In Chicago, he had
held conference with nine pastors Of
churches on the ncrth side between North
avenue and Diversity street. and they had
decided to keep their churches open all
might
1--WE propose to appoint committees to
stay MP in the churches and give shelter to
ell who apply. IL Is quite probable that
tho members Of the churches will also
furnish food TO the hungry lodge $. The
movement il not denominational Among
the churches that will open are Presby-
terian. Methodist, Baptist, Congregational
and Lutheran. We hope the other churches
Of the city will follow our example.
1T is n shame that $40 men are compelled
90 lie on the stone steps aud corridors of
the City hall every night, while the police
stations are crowded with good and bad
alike"
Prendergast's Case Begun.