The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-05
HE SAW In CHICAGO.
Conditions OfTenementD Districts
Are DiscOuraging.
Thinks However That They
Are Growing Better.
DIR. COuntermine Believes in
Praying For Rain.

''The machine in politics is one of the
factors that gets in the way Of the de-
velopment of the people in the larger
cities said Rev. Chas. NJ Sheldon pas
tor Of the Central Congregational
church to his congregation Sunday
morning 1t was mis- first appearance
since his return.
Mr.. Sheldon spoke with special refer
ence to the city of Chicago, where he
visited and made a special study of the
siums and those who inhabit them for
material for a new book which he is to
write soon.
There are three things that get in
the way of the development of the chill
dren OF the tenement district of a city
like Chicago" he said. THE place
where they live. the saloon and the ma
chine in politics"
places he visited. little stufy houses
with cramped accommodations and
with little or no light and ventilation,
Where the smoke from the chlmneyS
and factories sweeps down and into the
buildings, and with sleeping rooms
without windows and no other opening
This said MIR sheldon, s'is perhaps
the largest obstacle in the way of the
development Of the children of the slum
districts. The men who build these
places are responsible for such condi-
tions and hope to see the time when
these men who are responsible viii see
where they do wrong and will build
more sanitary houses.
Many Of these people could go to the
country to live where they would be
better off" ne continued, but they
would thus get away from the saloon
and they seem to love company. They
would SO much rather live in the city
that many who are without homes Will
sleep In the streets. In Halstead street
i have seen them lying in the middle of
the street sleeping and many have no
other place to so. Imagine it. And then
while you are thinking about the con-
ditiens which surround these people and
which confront the efforts of organized
charities, ask yourself the question
IN hat can you do for a child that lives
IN the midst of these surroundings p .
As an Illustration Of the practices of
the machine in politics Mr. Sheldon
cited the instance of a wealthy man of
his acquaintance who lives on beauti-
full street in Chicago and who to have
the street in his block kept clean has to
pay for 1T from his own pocket after
paying a city tax for this purpose
wv hat becomes of the money collect
ed for one thing and which never is used
for that purpose2" asked Mr.. Sheldon.
The only thing that We know he
said, is that the politicians who are at
the head are in it for all there is in it,
and in some manner the funds which
should be used for the benefit of the
people are diverted.
While / was in Chicago" he contin-
ued, there was another instance of the
lengths that are taken in politics An
account of an assault was published
and when the arrest was made it took
the combined strength of four officers
to subdue the man. When he was
taken to the station is developed that
he was a constable. serving under an
assumed name. and that he was made
such because Of his connection in poll
tics And still he was one Of the worst
types Of criminals in the oity and was
q thoroughly bad man.
Mr.. Sheldon is not inclined to look on
one side of the situation all the time
He holds optimistic views for the fu-
ture of the large cities. Il think I can
see q turn for the better already" he
declared And this is brought about
by the fact that young men are organ
izing and are beginning to cast about
to discover what they may do for the
berterment of the social, religious and
sanitary conditions Of the occupants OF
these big tenement districts. 1t would
be unjust to judge Chicago by Just
hearing one side of the matter. They
have number of large parks where
people may go and spend a few hours
or a day and eat their lunch and walk
on the grass without the fear of having
q burly officer tell them to move on and
keep on the grass. There are no sign
20 that effect
II am hoping" ne said. ITO see the
time when some great and true philan-
thropist shall acquire several blocks of
the property along Halstead street in
Chicago and tear down the unsightly
Eenemants and place there in their
stead. a beautiful park with artificial
lake and boats On the outside edges
could also be erected sanitary and
modern tenements. Under such condi-
uons a great work could be done for
the development Of the children. It
would be the salvation of their lives
Mr. Sheldon dwelt briefly in the open-
Ing of his morning talk on the Christ
IAN Endeavor convention at Cincinnati.
1T was the greatest convention Of its
kind ever assem- bled." he declared 1T
has ceased to be simply a young peo-
pies meeting. 1t is now composed most
1y Of older people who come together to
make plans for the furtherance of their
great work rather than as a. rallyine
meeting Of the young people Of the or
ganization-
Delegates were there from every
point and quarter Of the globe There
We're three great subjects under dis
cussion: The Goth century city; the 10th
century home and the goth century
church"
Afr. Sheldon described the great clos
ing meeting on the last night Of the
convention when the delegates from
each state or country would rise and
fiji answer to the roll call sing a song
or recite a verse from the Bible or
some other equally appropriate quota
ton
II was the only delegate from kan
sass" he said. ~and upon my turn to
answer, I rose and asked the prayers
and cooperation Of all the delegates in
the extirPation Of the saloon in Kan
aas.'