The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-02-27
LIVE QUESTIONS.
A Series of Articles Contributed to These
Columns by Advanced Thinkers.

MAINTAIN SELF RESPECTING MANHOOD
To maintain self respecting manhood
should be Of paramount Importance to
an enlightened government, and while
/ am profoundly convinced that radical
and fundamental reforms, which COM
prehend the abolition of class privileges
and special legislation, are essential to
the solution of the great problems which
ale now pressing upon the intelligence
and conscience of our civilization, yet l
fully realize that to peaceably accom-
plish these splendid triumphs for high
or manhood, will require patient, ear
nest and persistent education and agita
tion which will stir to its depth the con-
science of the people. But this will nec-
essarily require time, and during this
period wise craftsmanship no less than
true philanthropy demands that practi
cable, palliative measures be vigorously
pushed. One of the most real and i'm
minent perils which face the govern
ment today is the gradual loss of hope
and the spirit of independence among
multitudes of our people, due to adver-
sity and unjust conditions, which are
transforming yearly large number of
our citizens from sturdy, independent.
self supporting individuals to objects Of
charity or tramps hold that it is i'm
possible to too strongly emphasize the
fact that anything which lowers the es-
sential manhood or takes an iota from
the self respect Of the humber citizens
is q very real injury to the whole peo-
pie. The unheeded cry for work, which
is the cry of self respecting manhood
and is the antipodes Of an appeal for
charity, is imbittering thousands Of
American citizens, while it is forcing
other thousands into environments of
moral death; it is resulting in driving
numbers of men, women and children
to drink, crime, suicide and immortality.
And these irreparable calamities may,
to q certain extent, be averted il our ma
tion, our states and municipalities
awake to the Importance of maintaining
or restoring the manhood of citizenship
and holding the loyalty of the people by
bands woven of love and wisdom.
In view of these facts, any measures
of a practicable, common sense char
acter which restores self respecting
manhood, should receive the cordial
support of thoughtful and earnest men
and women. Perhaps the most striking
illustration Of this character which has
been introduced in recent years is the
famous innovation inaugurated by
Mayor Pingree Of Detroit. 1t would
seem almost incredible that so practical
BILE, common sense and reasonable
plan as that outlined by Mr.. Pingree
should have received the general ridi
cule, contempt and opposition which it
encountered 1t was treated at first as
huge joke or something too absurd and
amusing for serious thought, while per-
sons who were dispensing charity, with
out stimulating men and women to
work and regain grip on life, were
being applauded by an unthinking con-
ventionalism. The result Of Mayor
ures, however, so far exceeded the most
sanguine expectations Of those who ap-
preciated the wisdom Of his plan that
New York and many other cities have
already inaugurated the Detroit plan,
and perhaps even those who first ridi-
culed the "Pingree potato patch" may
be interested in the following facts re-
lating to the magnificent results-even
when considered from superficial point
of view-which have attended the ex-
pertinent during the past two years in
Detroit and during the past year in New
York city.
The winter of 1894 found great
numbers of laboring men and women in
Detroit, as in every other city of the
Union, vainly seeking work and finally
driven TO ask for charity, while num-
bers of persons who had hitherto been
self respecting, independent, hardwork-
ing men, finally abandoning the hope of
obtaining employment, became tramps.
The mayor of Detroit did not believe
the popular cant that anybody who de-
sired work could obtain it, He felt con-
fident that large percentage of those
who were sinking into the Dead sea Of
want and becoming hopeless paupers
or confirmed tramps were being reduced
10 these most pitiable conditions through
inability to obtain work, and holding
these convictions he determined to put
the question to practical test.
Within the area of Detroit there were
over 5000 acres Of land lying idle, much
of which was tillable, and Mayor Pin
gree and his confreres petitioned the
holders OF this land to permit those who
were willing to work to use it, and il
this manner reduce the great outlay
which the city and individuals were be
ing put to in order to support the starv
ing "out Of works. The land wa
promptly secured. The next problem
was to raise sufficient funds to plow
harrow and stake off the lots for the ap
plicants to purchase seed. Owing to tn
absurd opposition, the ridicule and con
tempt offered on every hand to this wis
and common sense proposition, no ali