The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-08

Inc cnartabi0 luotltutiOn3 ana insane
asylums are all full to overfowing; they
cannot be built fast enough to meet the
multiplying requirements of social me-
giect. The demand Is constant and ur-
gent for more and larger ones. The most
generous plan IL found inadequate before
1t has been fairly completed, and the
pressure Of necessity greater than when
1t was begun.
Society is working at the wrong end OF
the subject; there can be no doubt that
the degeneration of the race is due TO
continuous development OF humanity,
tainted TO greater or less degree with
various diseases and defects. The mar
riage OF the criminal and defective class
must be prevented .and indeed, marriage
should be prohibited.
Society must take cognizance or recog-
milton OF reproduction of the race. and
correct the tendencies to degradation as
measure OF self preservation. 1t is idle
and foolish to waste energy. sympathy
and money In the hopeless effort 10 cure
and restrain what should never have been
permitted. Physical degeneration must
be corrected TO promote regeneration.
We must consider the rights and the well
fare OF the whole, now perilled by the
vicious indulgence and misused liberty
OF the pauper and the criminal. We must
adopt new measures for new exigencies.
II that family is curse For crimes dc
tated by animal passion, we must infiict a
remedial penalty which shall remove at
once the temptation and the capacity
BY carefully providing for its degen-
crates and abnormals in comforta Bile pris-
ons and asylums, giving them the ad-
vantages OF the highest knowledge and
science OF living, society unwittingly ag-
gravates the evil 1t seeks to alleviate. 1t
maintains, also, those who would perish
without Its aid; II permits their reproduc-
tion and multiplication; 1t fosters with
more attention than 1t gives it's better
types, the establishment and increase of
an abnormal and defective class. H. not
only perpetuates by care, but encourages
by unrestricted breeding-in among them,
the unnatural spread and growth of q So
cisl gangrene of fatal tendencies.
lis there no way, consistent with be-
nevolence, by which such y condition can
be avoided? We believe that medical and
surgical science ought to be used in a
sure and radical way, as affecting the or
gans OF reproduction. Such a method to
prevent crime and misery should be
recognized and esteemed by all intelligent
persons as safe and as unobiection-
able as vaccination, or the extraction of
an aching tooth. Ignorance, error and
inattention have permitted the perversion
OF diviney bestowed instinct to con-
troversion and opposition of its purpose
Humanity, actually, thus. sins against
the Creator and nature, In its contribu-
tory negligence OF such perversion. The
and criminals will inevitably
increase faster than the rest of society, n
the latter are permitted TO breed without
restraint, for the limitations which re-
strict reproduction among the better clas-
ses are imperative upon them.
Neither religion, morals, marriage. for
The burden of supporting their offspring
have the slightest influence in repressing
their sensual indulgence.
The subject Is one of paramount inter-
est, not only to the socialogists, philan-
thropist and Christian, but it reaches and
affects the welfare of everv |
individual member of society. even TO |
those who regard only their own selfish |
enjoyment, prosperity and existence. 1t |
demands instant and intelligent consider |
alton, and immediate action by citizens |
and legislators alike.
"A great cause OF the increase of crime /
and pauperism is found in the crowding
Of the people to the centres, or the con-
tant increase OF the urban population.
Twenty EIGHT of our largest cities have
increased 44.S6 per cent. in ten years,
while the twenty-eight cities OF England |
but 11.2 in the same time. Our
20 per cent. In 1850 to 27.7 per cent. in
$50; there having been in that time an
increase OF CO. PER cent. in our urban
population in cities of ten thousand
The packing OF these millions OF
humanity into compact and crowded ten
ment houses means vastly more than the
Of the depraved and criminal
ogether. where they teach and aid one
mother in crime; it involves not only
he greater temptations to intemperance,
icentiousness and crime, with increased
acilities and opportunities, but far
worse the disgorging of the children, in
liscriminately, into the streets for air,
xercise and play. Boys and girls crowd
he curbstones and doorsteps late into the
light. corrupting one another and famil-
arizing themselves with sin before they
each their teens. so that the very source
nd springs OF social life are poisoned.
Dugdale, In his study OF the "Jude"
amily, traces 1900 criminals and
aupers impregnated with the blood of
ne ancestor in seven generations, who
o,t the public over s11, 300, 900.
The trustees Of the Chidren's Home in
Washington county, Ohio, in their 18th
nnual report, state that &c per cent. OF
he inmates OF the home from the coun-
ry, in the preceding two years. has
cen related by blood or marriage.
Crime has increased from one in $500
our population in 1850, TO one in 1865
D 1890, or 40 per cent, while the popu-
ltion increased but 40 per cent. in the
,me time.
In the last decade, with an increase OF
l.5 per cent. in population the number
I the inmates of the reformatories has
,creased 45.2 per cent, or nearly twice
lster than the general population. This,
20. in spite OF the enormous multiplied
ons OF churches, Christian efforts of all
inds, schools, educational progress, and
arious philanthropic agencies of an ele-
atIrg and conservative nature, and
18th lavish expenditure of money and
Dor.
Such disproportion cannot continue ,
definitely without relapse into bar
lrism and social ruin. Ii is more start
ug because such n state of things does
OF exist in other civilized nations
A large number of children have an in
srited appetite for intoxicating liquor,
hich Is often the reason for their vicious |
'nduct. Parents, especially mothers.
i've great responsibility in that direc-
on.
i am sure that much OF the intemper. a
ice OF the poor is due to bad cooking. q
n early and hastily prepared breakfast, Q
dinner out OF TIN pail, aud poorly
,oked supper after a lop~and hard days
Dor cannot conduce to comfortable di-
stiOn. The inward uneaginess or