New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01
WHITTIER HOUSES FIELD.
ITS ACTIVITY is ALONG MANY LINES

one earnest woman in improving the sociai '
ton OF human kind Is well exemplined oy VI"
cessful results attained in little more IMAM a~e
year through the energetic and benenceht e'
OF Miss Cornelia +. Bradford. the head worNei VI
Whittier House No. ia Grand-st. Jersey Ivy
rh,. "a nblanthropic institution organized some
what on the plan OF the University settlements !"
New-York and other cities. Whittier House. "o"
ever has distinctive features which make 10 W"
different In respects from that vi
similar institutions. 1t Is situated in the lhi"'' "
a densely populated district. and is the only Social
settlement in the State OF New-Jersey. IL AIMS
to help all in need by improving their c'rcuii'-
stances inspiring them with new motives ana
higher Ideals and fitting them for the respohsio"-
ties and privileges Of life" 1t Is Chrisuan' ou'
not UNCONVENTIONAL. and It's managers VIII s'a''E
and heartily cooperate with all humane PERSONS
who seek 10 improve mankind. IL does ho' seN
TO do the work OF the Church, but rather 10 uo
that which the Church itself cannot wei uhuer
take.
Since It's establishment about fourteen months
ago. large numbers OF men. women ana cniioren
have been brought under its benign Influences. ana
greatly benefited socially. morally and materiahy'
while 1t has established a free kindergarten sewing
school, mothers club and many other important
departments.
ITS PROGRESS RAPID.
The growth OF Whittier House has been phe-
nomenal. Miss Bradford, who is sister OF the
Rev. DR.. Amory II. Bradford OF MontciaIr' ana a
graduate OF Ovet College. started alone N sii''
room, the free use OF which had been given 10 he'
by the Rev. DR.. j. l. Scudder. OF the Cohsiesa
tional Church. in the neighborhood In ms h'.'e
room which came to be known as "hitter
House Office Miss Bradford formed her plans for
enlarging her field OF labor For several months the
work consisted In becoming acquainted with Needy
neighbors by house-to-house visitation listening ~
stories OF sorrow and suffering; helping people 10
help themselves by finding work for them' seilhs
at reduced prices clothing which had been given
for the purpose lending small sums OF money on
chattel mortgages. etc. The gratuitous use OF
larger room being secured. sewing classes were
started; afternoon teas were held. and otner heip-
full features introduced Finally. through The gen.
erous assistance OF benevolent people VINO had come
to recognize the usefulness OF Miss Bradfords
work the stately old mansion OF the late Mayor
Clark OF Jersey City. was secured as permanent
home for the institution. and named " hlter
House in honor OF the poet, John c. Whittier Tor
whom Miss Bradford had much admiration on ac-
count OF their intimate acquaintance.
Whittier House is lofty, double thres-story
brick structure with a mansard roof. situated IN
what is now tenement-house district. put Which
was formerly an aristocratic neighborhood 1t Is
about 30 fee square. and has large yard IN Which
there are a swing and croquet grounds. ~" men
Miss Bradford took possession OF IT, she mad only
three pieces OF furniture-a chair. common lounge
womer OF arous church congregations In Jer-
sew CITY Montclar and other towns where Miss
Bradford has addressed audiences in behalf OF her
work have furnished the building throughout In
a comfortable and substantial manner, Mrs j.
Griffiths, OF Jersey City. who has since becorte a
sort Of gcdmother to the institution. contributing
literally from her own means.
THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
The work carried on by Miss Bradford her
oF
Whittier House includes a kindergarten. which oc-
cupies the spacious parlor OF the old mansion. which,
as lectureroom. has seating capacity for 1856
persons: classes in German, elocution, literature.
art, reading singing. piano instruction dressmak-
ing, sewing dancing etc There are also frequent
lectures on physiology and hygiene by DR.. Florence
De Hart. who graduated in the class OF 'S3
OF the Woman's Medical College of the New-York
Inhrmary. and who is the resident physician OF
Whittier House, a penny provdent fund. and
Louise AcJtI, mothers Agassiz newsboys; GRO
Quet, banjo guitar. mandolin and other clubs. At
the outset Miss Bradford started pawnshop for
the benefit Of her needy constituents but found
that applications for loans diamond bracelets
from Montana, solitaire earrings from Chicago dia
mond studs from New-York rivalling in brancy
the powerful, electric searchlight; astronomi-
cal telescopes from Boston, and watches and jew
elrv from everywhere came rolling in so RAPIDLY
that she compelled TO retire from that line OF
business In lieu OF the pawnshop chattel bust
ness was begun. in which amounts not exceeding
$50 in any loaned household goods
ia Jersey CITY at per cent interest In this bust
only one beneficiary has failed promptly to re-
pay a loan. but in that case the money is coming
In surely though slowly. and the mortgags. will
Citizens Club and Humane Club now being
started
FLOWERS FOR THE HOSPITALS.
Among the other clubs OF which mention has
been omitted IS a Lend a-Hand Club. composed
OF girls who send flowers ana picture. to patients
in hospitals. and a flower mission for the distri-
h,,tfo
In the Mothers Club there about forty women.
who also compose a class in botany. which is
taught by Mrs. f. II. Davey. president NJ the club
It Is the desire OF the institution ultimately
have these and other mothers who may hereafter
the Federation Of Womens Clubs OF America
Whittier House was carried on mainly as
womans settlement until recently but the cooper
alton OF men is now sought. and several male
boarders have been admitted to the institution.
The first OF these to be regularly Installed is
student from Princeton College. who not only acts
secretary for Miss Bradford. but also pays a
stipulated price for his meals and lodging Mr..
Baker. well-known musician. has engaged board
for the summer. besides paying for which he
Will give eratutous instruction In music. Percy
Alden warden Of the famous Mansfield House. in
house in Great Bfan who came e0t to this country
not long ago, has lived at the Whittier House.
at at Mansneld House Sir Alden who has re-
turned to England, has constituency Of over
Canning Town, squalld and turbulent quarter.
situated in the extreme eastern end of London. be-
yOnd the notorious Nnltcchapel district Mr.. Alden
was amazed at the rapid progress and magnitude OF
social settlement work In this city. lie said. how
ever that account OF its cosmopolitan character
II was widely different from his work. "a he had TO
deal only with Brtons while the workers here were
brought in constant contact with natives OF every
cline.
INTERESTED WORKERS.
Miss Bradford and her assistants are now In the
midst OF their summer work. few days ago they
gave an excursion to about thirty newsboys Of =
sey city who members of the Whittier House
Newsboys club All the clubs TO be taken upon
day excursions at different intervals. and Grip
Piled children to be sent TO the country for
weeks, their expenses being paid with money real
lied from 4 cantata given by public spirited women
Upper Montclar. Among those who actively
interested in Whittier House Is Poormaster John
Hewitt. Of Jersey city. who is in full sympathy
with the institution Miss Bradford emphasizes the
fact that her enterprise IS In no a charity.
The several residents OF the institution both male
and female. al pay fair price for board, and all
persons who avail themselves OF class instruction
must pay tuition fee " - cents for ten lessons.