St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-02
MIR. STEAD AS "A STREET SCAV-
ENGER

least done one honest days work in the
course of his life. In Chicago. the other
day, he applied to the relief authorities
for assistance, and was set to work Oh
the streets to earn his supper, bed and
breakfast with shovel. He did the
work faithfully and well. ate his meals
in company with the really poor, and
spent the night at one of their lodging
houses. 1t is said that he relished the
food given him, and rested comfortably,
Notwithstanding his unusual surround
ings. He will probably have something
to say of his experiences, both on the
lecture platform and through the col
umns of the newspapers. at some future
day.
Mr.. Ssead's exploit is not novel one.
The same idea has been frequently
carried out in other directions. The
first achievement OF the kind was that
of London journalist, who, about
twenty years ago, spent month in
wOrkhouse in that city incognito, and
published a series of hig hly sensational
articles detailing his experience among
the paupers, exposing many abuses of
the system of caring for the dependent
poor, and succeeding by that means in
bringing about many substantial and
necessary reforms. A New York jour
nalist shortly after wards made the
voyage across the Atlantic and back
again in the steerage of one of the large
emigrant steamers. and his recital of
the hardShips imposed upon this class
led to a government investigation and
the Inauguration of sweeping reforms.
Next the poorEouses and insane asy-
lums attracted attention. Several ell
terpriSing writer's procured their own
Incarceration in these institutions, and
the result was deluge of sensational
exposures of cruelties practiced
upon the inmates, insufficient and
unwholsome food furnished, and
shameless peculation by officials and
employees. For years there was craze
for this sort of realistic reporting.
The men who conducted the investiga-
tions achiev ed notoriety for themselves
as we'll as for the newspapers they rep
resented, and the net result was greater
circumspectiOn on tue part of the Off
cials placed in charge of public institu-
tiOnS of every sort, and a visible i'm
provement in the condition of the I'M
fortunates compelled by circumstances
to take refuge in our asylums, hospitals
and infirmarieS, while there was
noticeable change for the better in the
management of our penal and reforma-
tory institutions.
Perhaps results will justify Mr.. Stead's
experiment in Chicago. He will atleast
have had the novel experience of having
worked at shoveling filth In the public
streets for three long hours for the sake
of earning two indiff erent but hearty
meals and not over-clean bed whereon
to stretch his aching limbs. But it is
difficult to see how the end will justify
the means. 1t is no secret that the food
given out to the poor of Chicago is of
Indifferent quality, although it is whole
some, and can be partaken of by any
citizen without his being compelled to
disguise himself to procure it. The
treatment the men receive is not at all
times kind and courteous. Street con-
tractors are not CheSterfieldS by nature
and education. and do not always con-
fine themselves to the language sane
toned by drawing room usage when
addressing the men placed under their
charge. Nor is the etiq uette that char
acteriZes the guests at great hotel all
ways demanded in the cheap lodging
houses where tramps and tine miserably
poor find shelter from the inclemencY
of the winter nights. 1t is probable
that there will be much that is uncouth.
vulgar, and even brutaliZing observable
In such places. The guests are
not always considerable of each 9TH
er's comfort, and they care put
little for those small courtesies that
amid other surroundings are held in
such high esteem. They are thankful.
perhaps, that they are sheltered from
the storms, but they are seldom content
with their condition, and curse their
hard lot freely. They will find fault
with much that is provided for them.
and complain because their food is
coarse and their beds hard. Yet city
cannot be expected to feed hundred
thousand men at first-class restaurants
and house them in palatial hotels, where
the linen is renewed daily and hot and
cold water is running in every room. If
it shall give to the needy even the plain
est of food, and shall protect them from
the inclemencies of the weather in even
moderate comfort, it will have done its
full duty. 1t is question if there has
not been an excess of lberality when
this much has been done. for there are
thousands of those seeking aid who ill
deserve pity. They have been indolent,
improvident, Incorporate or vicious
perhaps all combined-and have for
feited their claims upon public charity
or considerate treatment. But in such
times as these it is best to err on the
safe side, and to care for scores of the
unworthy rather than to risk neglecting
one person who deserves the small COM
forts that charity is able to extend
Mr.. Stead's exploit may satisfy his
own craving for sensations and his de-
sire for notoriety, but it is doubtful if it
will accomplish any good purpose.