The record-union., 1899-05-18

tent wage earners. The agricultural
colonies give us hints of the way before
us. Schemes of old age pensions are
rapidly coming into the range Of prac-
ticable politics.
THE reconciliation and union of ed
ucational and selective aims must be
considered in child-saving work. The
debate on placing out We. institutional
methods must finally turn about the
medical verdict of physical and mental
capacity, and general adaptation to
normal conditions. The roughand-
ready methods of suiting dependent
children to homes will yield to more
exact and reliable checks. 1t must be
confessed that many workers for chill
dren have been more optimistic in re-
lation to the power of a new environ
men than the, facts warrant. The
shady side is not agreeable to con-
sider but ultimately the real facts
must come to light.
In the same way we reach conclu-
sions as to a national policy in rela-
ton to immigration and as to systems
of municipal charities, by applying to
each problem the standard of social
welfare
There is no real conflict between
the aims of education and selection.
They are reconciled by their common
purpose, the promotion of community
character. culture, health, progress,
happiness. We have not exhausted
the resources of the educative method.
We do not yet imagine the improve
ment which will come with civil SER
vice reform through an improved
school system, kindergartens, parental
schools, free public baths, sanitary
regulations, factory inspection. Longer
life and more vigorous health are the
results of the application of science
and art to social relations. But one
consequence appears to be the multipl-
cation of feeble lives and corresponding
suffering. The pubic mind has ony
fainty comprehended the necessity of
providing custodial institutions for the
degenerates. An untaught sentimental
ism, frequently a partner of unregu-
| lated appetite, resists the suggestion.
| But at last the dispassionate verdict
of men of science will be seen to cor
| respond to the rough observation of
practical life For those who are man
| ifestly unfit for marriage and parent
| hood the State will provide a safe and
comfortable place to live and to die.
The teachings of selectionists will more
and more modify opinion and custom
1t cannot long be regarded as morally
Indifferent that consumptives and
neurotics pass on their legacy of broken
constitutions to curse the third and
fourth generation.
In the laboratories of universities
the men of science are discovering the
fundamental biological laws which
must be regarded in legislation and ad-
m1nistration. In hospitals and asylums
medical officers, teachers and Superin-
| tendents are accommodating and records
ing experience. August Compile said
that in dealing with detectives we are
performing real experiments, whose re-
suits are revelations of social laws ap-
plicable to all humanity. This expen-
sive system of charity may, in future
ages, be regarded as one of the best
instruments ever made by society
since every science is enriched by the
lesson of these institutions The mys-
terry of evil may never be fully ex-
planned to man, but even in the pres
ent twilight we can see that knowl-
edge, goodness and piety owe a debt
to those feeble ones who must await a
higher life for the full blossoming of
their arrested faculties. So real is So
cial solidarity that in serving the least
we contribute to the happiness of all.
and make constant discoveries of the
unity of races, of worlds, and of man
with the Heavenly Father"