New-York tribune., 1896-01-16
THE UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT.

The problems presented to the members or
the University Settlement Society at its annual
meeting Yesterday are Of Importance not only
to those engaged in the work. but To everybody
Interested in the welfare Of the city. The I'M
mise 70 give and to labor for the uplifting OF
the masses is widespread, but not every effort
in that direction is wisely and successfully car
ricd on. The tenement house dwclers are hard
70 reach and do not respond readily to ad
vanccs on the part Of those who belong to Il
different class lii society. and ii is only with the
exercise of the greatest tact and discretion that
their confidence can be gained and any really
valuable work done among them The Univcr
sitv Settlement has been exceptionally success
ful in gaining that confidence 1t is not an
csotcric missionary enterprise. but an institu-
ton Identified with the people whom ii seeks
to benefit The workers have their permanent
hcadoraricrs and some Of them actually live
close beside their charges. They are not visit
ors. hut ncighbors. Of the tcnemcnt-house dwell
ers. are in sympathy with them. have gained
an insight into their needs and are prepared TO
use 10 the greatest advantage every instrument
put at their disposal
With such "A capacity for doing good. the So
cicty deserves liberal support and encourage.
mcnt from citizens. II has not cOurtcd public
notice and has uniformly discouraged the press
from giving accounts Of It's laborS. fearing that
its bcnchciaries might thus he rcpellcd and led
10 dsirust il. Instead, ii has pursued its way in
silence working in an old and uncomfortable
house. without sufficient room proper facili-
ties II the society Is not To be handicapped in
the future. however, larger provision for II must
he made 4 properly equipped building, twice
the size Of the present broken-down tenement
house. could be- used 10 advantage and the field
for new workers in many lines is extensive.
The society row has n foothold among the poor
people and new opportunities for usefulness
opened To IT, the neglect of which would be a
misfortune to the city How many Of those OPP
portnnitics can be seized depends on the extent
10 which the resources at the command Of the
workers will allow their activities 10 be en-
larsod
This i not a work which appeals only 70
philanthropc enthusiasts and teachers. The
University Settlement has classes and clubs OF
various kinds and meets the people and teaches
them how to improve their manner Of living.
hut it does something even more important from
a public point of view. II Is making good cit
zcnS. >irrn. up the people 10 take a lively in
tcrc>t iu civic matters. and t" realize their re-
spon- -.hilify frr the Government under which
they live The progress of such education means
the downfall Of bad local government The
power Of bad politics has rested In the existence
II unlntcrestcd. ignorant and immobilc MASSES
~ citizens who accepted the evil conditions
about them. and. regardless of their own in
tcrcst in cleanliness and honesty. permitted
themselves 10 be- marshacd in support Of evil
When in the "ncmcnt houses the primary issues
~ local government come 10 be- generally
thought Of the tremendous problem of the future
~ municipalities will cease 10 be- So terrible
The University Settlement Is doing its share
toward bringing that day nearer. and deserves
the encouragement and support of all good cit-