The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-12


| poor will be welcomed, and where they
can be brought into touch with educa-
tional Influences, which will neutrGlize
In degree the evil effects of the saloon,
| theater and dance hall.
A great work lies along this line, and
one which can be made potent factor
| for elevating life and transforming many
voters, who are now q menace TO honest
and clean government, into aids and de-
tenders OF what is for the best interests of
the people.
Ii may be asked why the government,
so generous in building hospitals,
prisons and reform schools, should not
take the matter in hand. Fall iil or
break your leg, and 1t will Civ, you
noctors, nurses, comfortable bed, food,
and everything you need. Commit a
crime, and IT will put you into pice,
clean prison, where you can have food,
clothing and shelter, without any expense;
but so long as you can manage to keep
well and virtuous, little II anything is
done to prevent evil.
Specisl interest should be taken in the
children. They should be guarded in
every possible wav from evil, and bo sur
rounded on every hand with wholesome,
moral influences. The foes that lie in
wait for them are many; the agencies by
which they may be shielded and saved,
should be multiplied and strengthened.
The churches are the proper agencies for
this work; and, In spite OF their
delinqueDcies. they ale doing more OF IT
than any other social organization.
Whether they attend the churches or
not, the prosperous men of all communi-
ties ought to see to it that the churches
that have mind 10 be of service are
not crippled for lack OF money. Much dis
ability comes to many of the very poor
from their utter ignorance of the sim
plest nygenic laws. This is, perhaps,
most notably seen in regard to food. They
should be taught how to select and prepare
such as will yield the most nutrition
with the least expense. i am sure that
much intemperance is due to badly
cooked, unhealty food. The frying
pan is the only utensil for cook
ing with which many house
keeper is familiar. An early and hastily
prepared breakfast, a dinner out of
tin pail, and poorly cooked supper
after a long and hard days labor, cannon
conduce to comfortable digestion The
inward uneasiness. or lesden lethargy OF
the digestive organs after such day,
call for assistance and stimulation, so the
poor man leaves a wife and ch ildren to
seek relief in the saloon, where he soon
learns to stay until he goes home drunk.
Now, il the wife aud daughter knew
how to prepare the family meals in a
neat, attractive, appstizing and healtbful
way, how much Of the want, privation,
sick ness, Doctors bills and loss of time
might be saved! How much domestic
comfort, contentment and happiness
might be added to the bread winners
family!
Girls should be carly taught by COM
petent instructors the best methods of
cooking and serving o variety of good
food and also be taught the ordinary
duties of family life, incluing the prac-
tice of economy In the use and purchase
of household supplies.
u
knowledge of these things to the after
life OF many OF the girls In our schools
than most of the at udies upon which
at present they not only waste their
time, but which actually tend to unfit
them for the life they must necessarily
live.
Itake this opportunity to congratulate
those who tkke part in The cooking
exhibitions given at our Manual Training
School. They are most credita BILE and
worthy of imitation by older persons.
The health and mortality OF the COM
mrnity are greatly affected by the
condition Of the dwellings OF the
poor. Ii is demonstrable that
"let alone policy" here is also destruc-
tive. The ignorance, filth aud lust
OF crowded families are not self-correc-
tive. BY com bining voluntary with mu-
nicipal action it.hss peen found possible
to improve unhealthy and crowded tene-
ments. Tho enforcement OF sanitary regu-
lations, governing the size of the rooms
and the conditions of cleanliness, have
been distinct help.
Synuicates of philanthropists have
found a reasona ble return upon invest
ments by buying up such property, i'm
proving the homes, and requiring a mod
crate rent.
In the last resort, municipalities might
be justified in purchasing the land of in
fected and depraved districts, and nssun-
ing the functions Of the landlord in the
common interest.
or course, these are only hints Of what
might he accomplished IL society was
awake to1ts duties. Agitation.and per-
sonal efforts are Imperative. We, who
are more fortunate than Others, are our
brothers keepers. There is need TO en-
force the truth that the time OF the doc
trinaire and the mere theorist has passed.
We have come to the time % service.
The living earnestness OF tho intensity
Of real work for the real object.
| Francis Gsllaghaer