The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-15
PHILANTHROPY IN THE sLuMs.

institution called the Palace OF De-
light" in London, has been opened in
Philadelphia, as the outcome of a move
ment to bring sunshine into the homes
of the people Of the Sums" It's features
are those usually appertaining to estab-
lishments of the kind, namely, a free
library, a reading room. rooms for edu-
cational classes, rooms for games, meet
ings of a religious character and enter
tainments Of a kind presumed to be ele-
waiting. No doubt such institutions do
much good; their influence on a COM
munity cannot be otherwise than whole
some, and their history in London. New
York, Chicago and elsewhere shows that
they serve at least as a leaven to sweet
en- and improve their immediate neigh
borhoods. But it may be questioned
whether, after all, they quite meet the
needs Of the class they seek to serve.
Among the people making up the slums
of great cities must be included dis
reputable characters Of all sorts, tramps,
beggars, fakirs, thieves of all degree and
criminals Of every variety. The honest
residents Of such quarters are, as a rule.
unskilled laborers who receive the small
est pay for their toll, and whose hours
of work range from ten to fifteen a day.
There is need enough. certainly. for
ameliorating the condition of this latter
class, at least. but there is for sus-
picion that, with all the benevolent in
tentions and earnest e~ndeavOrs Of the
projectors Of such homes as the one
mentioned, they do not put themselves
nearly enough on a level with the per-
sons they wish to help to comprehend
their requirements and limitations-par-
ticularly the latter. 1t is desirable. of
course, that such people should be educ
Gated; it would most assuredly be Of
benefit to them to acquire the habit Of
reading good books and to join classes
for mental Improvement; it ought to be a
pleasure to them to attend lectures, con-
certs, exhibitions of pictures and other
entertainments arranged with a view to
their enjoyment and improvement. In
this enlightened age Of the world there
is probably no class. however low in the
social scale, which does not contain some
members with strong intellectual inclina-
tons. and who would grasp eagerly at
any opportunity to crafty their tastes.
But the majority Is so oppressed with
poverty, so dulled with cares, so sodden
with years of unbroken toll that the
power Of mental effort in a new direc-
ton is lacking. They are conscious, per-
haps, of the need Of rest, but hardly Of
fho 900 of oaroo fion IN tho cho no nf
new ideas. The stimulus must first come
through their emotions rather than their
intellects, and it is because of this that
the Salvation Army has succeeded where
the settlements" and homes" have
made comparatively little Roadway. It's
teachings are something they can under
stand: it's soldiers are men and women
like themselves, Injured to cold and hun
ger, and ready in sickness and want.
Moreover, the army offers them not only
the reward of plenty and peace and glory
but a constant interest and
excitement in the present by its peculiar
tactics. The bizarre methods, the strik-.
ing dress, the queer music, the march
ing and other eccentric performances
appeal to these people where more con-
ventional proceedings have no effect In
the army they can have the companion
ship Of their own kind and can crafty
a certain instinct for self-sacrifice-man-
ufactured martyrdom though it be@for
which there is no room in the more Sc
date forms Of worship. General Booth
knew the slums we'll when he estab-
lished his army. He approves OF 'Toyn-
bee halls" homes Of dasagnt" and their
kind, but only as secondary elements Of
the work. Ballington Booth. it is an
nounced, will endeavor to reach a class
of people a grade higher in the social
scale-working people above the need OF
charity but of means too small to en-
Joy many of the pleasures OF life, and
who are. consequently. in a condition
of boredom, though they may not call
the feeling by such name. 1t remains
to be seen how he will go about the task.
Palaces Of delight may be Of service
to these people If a p~atronizing spirit
sometimes discernible in the manage
ment is not made too manifest Booth
will not make this mistake, but not all
philanthropists and religionists are as
wise as he.
BUBBLES IN THE AIR.
Merely Local.