New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-18
HOMES FOR AGED POOR.
PERCY S. GRANT ADVOCATES A COT
TAGE SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY
OTHERS WHO INDoRSE
HIS VIEWS
HIS VIEWS.

HIS VIEWS.
II have been greatly surprised" said the Rev
Percy s. Grant, Of the Church OF the Ascension
Ehen seen by a Tribune reporter regarding HIS re-
cent sermon on Provision for Old Age" at the
number OF letters I have received on the subject
ne character Of these letters. too was hardly
what one would expect. They were from self-re-
sDseting intelligent and self-supporting aged peo
pie evidently Of such slender means and failing
health TO leave very small margin between
themselves and utter dependence. The horror OF
this future or their sympathy with others already
Overtaken by dependent old age, caused them TO
write I ought not TO have been surprised 10 hear
so immediate echo OF my sermon but it Is diff
cult get used TO the fact that three out Of four
and women over sixty-five years old are
supported by the younger generation
1t is asked what would be practical step 20
ameliorate this condition OF things.
"One very practical step. and possible, too. would
be TO change the city alrnshouse. Now IL Is under
the Commissioner OF Charities and Correction.
There IS prison sound and association the very
which repels the aged. who have right to
its and also have right 70 retain their self
respect. would have the slmshouse carried on by
commission or board Of trustees altogether dis
connected with work among criminals
Keep the almshouse in a different part OF the
county from where the jails located, and do
not call it the almshouse In England it Is some
times called the Union; that is better than aims
house. Home for the Aged would be still better.
instead OF one udTTdckllke DulQluBp nave q COZ
tage system. connected with plenty OF land
Make the lives of the inmates pleasant by lect-
ures. concerts, social entertainments, light work
in the house on the land
Another practical step would be the consoIda-
ton Of private homes for the aged which
located in New-York. In the boroughs OF Manhat-
tan The Bronx. Brooklyn and Richmond there are
hfty-one homes for adults. These land for
the part. should say. too valuable for their
purpose II II were all sold and the money
81 rrD6e One oP
country homes thirty forty miles from New
York city it would not only secure accommoda-
ton for two three times many inmates but
the cost OF superintendent, etc. could be so
duoed as st further TO increase the efficiency Of
me funds now expended by these hfty-One homes.
old people do not need 10 live in the city. The
country better for their minds and for their bod
les. Many Of them are too inhrm 70 be trusted
alone on city streets, or too weak to 90 far from
the house. A home for the aged, therefore. is
peciauy an institution which should be located in
the country.
MAKE LAST FEW YEARS HAPPY
What economic advantage would the community
derive from better provision for the aged2 The
improvements I suggest are not to be justified
in this way As a matter of fact, II the aged poor
were in the country. in pleasant cottages large
farms believe that they could contribute most
materially 10 their support-in the fields by raising
produce, fruits. vegetables, flowers and by light
industries Of a cottage variety, such rug making.
sewing etc. We must remember, however that we
are trying 10 make life not only effective but
beautiful We have succeeded admirably in this at
tempt among children by the kindergarten and By
view Of the childs nature upon which the kinder
garten is founded. All I urge is that We should
make the last years Of life beautiful just as we
are trying 70 make the first years. You say that
the child becomes more effective citizen because
Of his training but that the old man returns moth
ing to the community for his care. or at any rate
next to nothing. Let me now speak as a clergy
man. and this point seems very important TO me
Parents and teachers attempting through eou-
cency. but 70 develop character and all the higher
qualities Of the spiritual nature, Lns d fsanh
ers no longer direct H. II Is consciously or I'M
hition Now what takes place IN the lives OF three
fourths OF old psoplel The moment, oiq men
grudgng charity OF the world they are likely 70 be-
igion Tbev defend themselves In their humiliation
By sharp speech or by silence; they Keep 70 faeI-
relatives, friends; they even cry out against God
and HIS treatment OF them. Their very souls
Wither up
DO NOT KILL THE SPIRITUAL
Ny point Is this: II the community does every
thing in It's powsr through kndergartens, schools.
churches libraries hospitals and other phiiah-
thropes 20 aid the individual In the development
Of his spiritual nature, IL should not STOP TINS
process al The age OF sixty-hve and smash the
spiritual structure so laborousy created for three
score years. The mind. the heart and the spirit
% the aged should be considered and nourisheo-
Any care of them that does not do this is merely
son o. fond thrown grudgingly 10 keep alive an
aged frame that the logic OF human selnshness rs
afraid TO snuff out II economic etneaency IS tne
only claim q man urge upon DIS teitoHs, then
the weak the criminal the SICK the lols men ano
the aged poor should be put 70 death II We are
ready FOR this logic then let US oe suIlSlshCy
civilized 10 obey another logic ana give 20 spritua
beings in their latter years what the soul as Well
ar the body requires. - -
You must remember that my first interest In this
subject proceeded from the difficulty have IN
getting aged dependent women into MONIES. am
In constant receipt OF applications from old women
q refinement who have been reduced 20 power
II is next 10 impossible 10 get these patleuc oIo
persons q refuge for their declining years OIten
they are clinging 10 two or three hunored ooiafs
with a deathlke grin thinking Il can secure their
entrance into institution for few homes foT me
AGED can be entered free OF charge me REFORM
Of the present method city and private institu-
ions for the aged In the first place caicuiated
70 Increase the number who can be DroVl0so toF'
ano IN second place, 10 treat theIn tlors ~
eordsnce with the twentieth century giew o. NULL
lie. Some day there viii probably be DIG age pen.
sions derived through the State. OF thfonsn g'sat
concentrated Industries. However thdt may INC