New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-26
IN TIE NAME or HUMANITY.

Without doubt the National Conference OF
Charities and Correction. which adjourned yes
terday after weeks session in this city. sur
passed all previous conferences In the impor-
lance OF the topics discussed and in the wide
spread interest which their discussion aroused.
There was n sentimental fitness In holding the
Conference In NewYork this year, FOR II was
organized here as n National body twenty-five
years ago But aside from sentiment, It's meet
ing here was both timely and wise The dis
tingulshed speakers many of whom are llfe-
long students OF social questions, cannot fall 70
be benefited by close view OF the American
metropolis. They will profit by what they have
learned hereof the defects no less than the
excellencles OF New Yorls penal and chart
table work. And We trust they will carry away
with them pleasant memories OF those who. In
this city, are striving, however imperfectly 10
put In practical effect the aims and ideals Of
the Conference NcwYork Is often held up 10
reproach as a city immersed I'm sordid ma
terialism. But, as n matter Of fact. no city in
the world is more responsive TO religious and
moral appeals And In no city Is there n more
eager and intelligent interest In the great ques-
tons relating to penology and philanthropy.
But the resulting benefits OF the meeting are
not confined to the members who took part In Il
The city OF New York is under obligations 10 the
Conference for coming here and giving to It's citl
zens the stimulus and inspiration Of lts presence.
That so many people attended the sessions OF
the Conference nj n time when the war Is TO
80 great an extent monOpolizng public thought
Is In itself n striking evidence OF this clty's in
terest In the Conference and It's work. Nor Is
It at all strange that intelligent Americans, es-
pecially those who 1--we in large cities. should
be deeply Interested in the great questions of
sociology. For upon their correct solution de-
ponds the future Of our civilization It IS in
the great cities that the problems of charity and
correction chiefly found. They init
mately bound mp with the daily life OF all the
citizens; for I'm the municipality. even more
than in the State. there Is no such thing ms In
dvdual solidarity. All are in the same socio
logical boat, and the evil virus of the "slums
must inevitably spread contagion through the
regions inhabited by the wealthy and the in
telligent
Moreover tho average citizen has direct
pecuniary interest in the effort to administer
! public charities and correction in the best pos
sible manner For he has TO pay the bills IN
the form OF taxes. The fire OF aliruism may
not burn very nrdently In his heart Person
ally indeed, he may be wholly Indifferent to
the condition OF his unfortunate brothers But
ut any rate, he must pay his share OF their
support and therefore any expert advice as to
how the number OF soccty's dependents may
be lessened, or how they may be more quickly
restored TO self-supportlng citizenship, Is lis
tened to by him with attention Underlying
all the addresses OF the Conference which has
Just adjourned were two great Ideas tacIty as
sumed as automatic, and therefore not needing
proof. The first was that II is the duty OF So
ciety 10 prevent paupersm and crime as far
as possible by the reform of defective social
conditions and the dissemination of a spirit Of
brotherhood And the second was that the de-
pendents OF the community are not to be re-
garded as go much social Stag. but brothers
and felow-cltizens still. to be reformed when
possible, but. at any rate. 10 be regarded as
brothers 1t Is n great thing that even the
vilest criminals are to-day treated with human
ity. and that gentle minstrations Of helpful
mercy surround those who are sick and in need
| But as in so many other cases. those who help
are much more benefited than those who are
helped. The people of the country Mt large.
I. whose high-wrought Ideals Of philanthropic i'm.