The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-15
DUTY OF CITIES.

In no department Of public affairs,
perhaps have greater advances been
made during recent years than in the
administration of affairs in cities and
tOwns-affairs pertaining peculiarly to
the IocaIity-yet the increasing inter
est manifested in municipal matters
which have been OF may become a con-
Germ of the city government indicates
that there is still left undoRe much
which might rebound to the public vel
fare
Agitation for better and broader city
government is no longer confined to the
taxpayers. as such, but it is being taken
up by societies for the betterment of
humanity and by men and women who
are thinkers and philanthropists.
It is but a few days since d conven-
ton of mayors and councilmen was
held at Columbus, O., at which many
important questions of municipal gov
eminent We're discussed. At Battle
Creek. Mich, there is now in session
the Inter State Civic Philanthropic
Congress, and the greater portion of it's
time is being devoted to the discussion
of ways to better the conditions Of the
people living in cities.
Rev. Samuel G.. Smith. professor of
sociology in the University Of Mime
nicipal matters, especially In their re-
latiOn to home influences, education,
philanthropy. organized charities, for
eign born citizens and crime.
Prof. Smiths address strongly fav-
ored a reformation in the administra-
ton of benefcences. He said in part:
1.-The conviction is growing among
thoughtful people that the common man
and woman might, with reasonable eff
better living
than they now enjoy. The conviction is
growing that they are not alone to
blame for their partial failure hitherto,
but that society itself. III some united
way, must attack the evils which beSet
the race and must bring help to the
weak and hope to the unfortunate. The
chief evils are ignorance, poverty, sick
ness, inefficient toll and an inefficient
share in the opportunities and priv
ileges of the world. These evils result
from ineficiency in the individual, the
home, the school and the state, and es-
pecially the municipal state
Tt is time that the conclusion of sci
entffic charity should be made funda-
mental in all future efforts There are
three classes of remedies for poverty.
They are palliative, curative or proven
tive. The value of these is exactly in
the inverse order of their general at
Effectiveness. Generations of human
history teach the painful fact that So
cfety can have all the beggars she is
willing to feed As emotional giving by
unframed fingers simply multiplies the
evils that it seeks to relieve. it must be
put under the ban. So, equally, must
political giving be put down. More than
$4,000 900 every year spent in what is
known as outdoor relief by the hands
OF public officials. 1t is not too much to
say that this enormous sum in the bulk
is not only wasted. but tends to create
and perpetuate pauper class in almost
every community. There are some COM
munities. indeed. where the public Of
fcers show a Spartan virtue, reduce
Uauperfsm and only assist those who
cannot help themselves-the child, the
old and the sick.
ssThe new methods of organized char
Gfy demand the federation Of charity