The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-09
KANSAS OPPORTUNITY.
C. E. Faulkner Calls Attention to
Need of Systematic Charity Work.

Need of Systematic Charity Work.
To the Editor of the State Journal:
1t will be something of a comfort to
the good people of Kansas who CO.
operated in the work of receiving and
entertaining the visiting delegates to
the recent National Conference of Char
tiles and Correction, and in the organi-
zation of the Kansas state conference
of charities and correction, to know
that the verdict of veteran leaders of
the national conference is that of en-
thusiastic approval of the results Of the
meeting. All agree that Kansas is
again in the presence of an opportunity
for leadership in an important advance
to support a charity " prevention,
while not neglecting the duties imposed
by the charity of relief, which is a part
of humane civilization.
The organization of the state confer
ence which is to become a school for
the study of laws and methods, and the
encOurag cement of orderly beneficence,
has been accomplished under peculiarly
favOIing conditions. It's first president
occupies the chair of sociology in the
state university, and Will bring to his
task zeal and habit of study which
Will be of great service in the beginning
of such a work.
The appeal now lies to the good citi-
zenship of the state to aid the effort
in every practicable way, and in man.
ner which will be outlined in due time.
1t ought also to be reStful to know
that the alignments in this advance
are not to be disturbed by difference
in politics or religion. Misfortune is
| an impartial blight which descends
upon all classes and conditions of So
! ciety, and appeals for the Unselfish
| service which alone can defeat the ills
| which affiict.
| against the invasions of alien depend
| ents and criminals, deporting all who
| have no legal settlement in the state,
| and then to set about a search for the
I promoting causes of human distress
! and failure, with the purpose of lessen
! ing the increasing burdens which inev-
| itably fall upon the society which con-
| tents itself with the exhibition of a pas
! sive charity of relief.
| Organization viii defeat professional
| pauoerism and crime by timely and
| efficient use Of the remedies of en-
| forced industry and deterrent discipline.
| Communities are beaten in detail by
| the incurSiOn Of the vicious, because
they do not oppose the skill Of their
| tormentors with an equal skill of dis
| coyery and repression.
/ The present bills for poor relief in
| Kansas are out of proportion TO the
| total population, and are not justified
| by existing conditions. The prison
population is in excess of what It should
| be. and what it would be if there
should be associated with the ideas of
I SSAhp0tt1y LOA Inc criminal Dy Impulse
| or accident, more of a sterner regard
for justice in dealing with the criminal
by instinct. or choice.
! There are natural ratios of increase
| of the ills of lunacy and idiocy, even
| under the wisest care; but there are
! also abnormal and unnatural ratios OF
| increase of these disasters under the
permissive neglect common to passive
charity of relief
Kansas is about as good as her sister
states in the average showing of insti-
tutions, statutes and social customs de-
signed to better her people; but Kan
sas was created to lead, and her ban
Rers should be planted in the forefront
of the new century advance.
c. E FAULKNER.