The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-08

Tde following paper HAtlheu a'S'AiN
svggestIons for Making Glad the
Waste Places About wheeling" was
read by Mr.. Frank Stanton at the last
session Of the Twilight Club. The
members considered It of such an in
teresting character that by unanimous
vote they requested the author to
submit It to one OF the daily papers for
publication. The paper follows:
In casting about for subject for
my paper, was considerably influenced
IN. my final decision by the subjects
announced for the two meetings inme-
dIasely preceding this one. Mr.. cul-
bertson's Social Settlements" and Mr..
Ershne's municipal Reform" both
having to do with the elevation and
improved condition OF urban commu-
mites, 1t occurred to me that might
add some finishing touches to their
solid structure that would at least apT
peal to the eye Of the artist (which is
present, in some degree, in most of ns)
n not to the Judgment of the unitarian
(Which Is unfortunately the everything
sentiment in the average American
mind.
But here / am, with the props liter
ally knocked from under me.
While Mr.. culbertson, with much
care and elaboration, laid broad
foundation. Mr.. Erskine went on at =
tangent, and after he had no doubt
burned his bricks and mixed his NOR
tar, drawn up his plans and speeihca-
lions for an elaborate structure, as
beautiful. and, II maybe, as unlikely Of
realization as castle In Spain.
Even at this advanced stage, he Is
caught up In the whirlpool Of the
Transvaal question and he introduces a
fIre-brand into the erstwhile disnifed
circle OF the Twilight Club. which kin
died q conHag7atIon that would have
wiped out every yestige of deeorum
but for the wet blankets that the chair
man 50 deftly wove from the unpro-
nounceabIe Boer vocabulary.
So am left to erect my towers and
mlnarets or more correctly hanging
gardens directly on the ground floor.
There is, believe, the power in this
organization to do something more than
instruct and entertain It's members.
There Is no reason that can con-
eelve Of, why we should not take up
practical questions now and then, and
when the opportunity offers. use our
influence as individuals to have them
put into practice. What shall have to
say to you tonight win be. as your
leader, to suggest to your minds crude
idea that has occurred to me and
which hope to have you elaborate.
To lead up to my text, 1t may be well
to say few things in regard to cities
that emphasize the necessity Of making
them what they should be. From the
years 1880 to 1890 the urban population
Of the United States increased 81 per
cent. while the rural population In
creased only II per cent Chicago more
than doubled. while T92 townships In
Illinois were depleted.
1t IS not essential to my purpose to
90 into the reasons for this re-distribu-
tIon of population. Suffice 1t to say
that the causes are economic ones and
beyond our control. For one, have
always cherished the idea that the way
to solve many of our municipal prob
lens, was to drive the Adams and E;veS
Of the city back to Eden.
But when, among other things,
found that about all the persons posi-.
bile were already getting their living by
agriculture, and to add to the food sup
ply was only to decrease the farmers
income. had to give up my Arcadia
II Is a favorIte pastims OF many idle
enthusiasts 10 suggest remedies for
our indivlouai and collective Ills. Since
the day Adam and Eve indulged in the
ran PIppln, and had the lease OF their
little farm cancelled, there has been all
kinds OF trouble in the world. and all
sorts and conditions Of men have pro-
posed all sorts and conditions Of plans
to set things right.
The theolosIanS have made COM
Portable living out of the various So