New-York tribune., 1903-03-25
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
NEEDS OF CONNECTICUT.
The Warning Of the Rev. Ar. Hutchins
Should Be Heeded-Town Life Reform.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The discussion started by the paper read
by the Rev. Henry L. Hutchins before the fedora
ton Of churches In Nsw-Haven, at the end OF
February, has not ended, and ought not to end
until some good has been accomplished. There is
great need OF thoro Ugh study Of the social, re-
lgious and political conditions IN rural Connecticut
and New-England. When the facts are obtained
and the truth known the need OF action on the
part of the State the school authorities, the
churches, will be felt by all right minded men and
women.
Mr.. Hutching came back from his work for the
Bible Society in some Of the country towns to ask
support for the society which is apparently the
only organization in Connecticut seriously trying
to find out and improve the conditions OF our rurai
life. His last work made him feel alike the dNn-
Guilty of the task and the pressing need OF action
He felt that in many places the people were fall
ing away from all regard for religion, education
and morality. He spoke of the growth in retired
places OF bad physical conditions, Of the increase
OF insanity and idiocy and immortality. He was
grieved that the churches littiS interested
in the endeavor to the country towns, and
that public sentiment dead
He was advised to prepare paper stating these
facts to De read before Of the clergy, ana
this he did. The paper was badly reported In the
newspapers. The result OF the canvass in certain
towns regards church attendance was given.
and the reporters credited to the towns named all
the evil things referred to in the Wnole rart S.ate
Of the newspapers. making irritation in some rura
communities not usually sensitive. Inc usAlh Vi
Mr.. Hutchins. a sensitive. gentle, devoted man.
followed, and no one has appeared to take up MS
message.
1t was message greatly needed, and respect for
his memory will be best shown in needing It. Ihe
advancement of the work to which he had devoted
his life Is his plea now as truly as while ne ilVed
The testimony appears to be that the political cor
ruptiou in many Of the small towns s greater pro.
Of the schools is often corrupt also Towns have
degenerated, that there Is not enough or cnRr.
aoter and public spirit left to make a well ordered
community. There enough church buildings
of various names, but they are neg!ectee, +bora
hard places, and they soon become discouraged.
The old stock has run out and some lnfu-
from outside must come In, II the life or these
stand in the way Of constitutional reform. ana 50
OF a republican form Of government in Connecticut
The testimony TO the existence OF such cono1-
tion Of life in rural Connecticut Is freely gwen II
Is not an entirely rendition, for there have
always been degenerate neighborhoods and nam
lets. But the decadence seems more marked m
many country towns. School districts ana com
rnunities seem have fallen into moral decay, no
desire left to improve. public spirit, no ambition.
religion and education neglected.
1t Is the thought Of many who have studied the
question that the coming into rural Connectlcut OF
the foreigner. the German. the Swede, the Italian.
the Russian will the towns. They nave
more energy, more thrift, more regard for churcn
and school in many places than the old stock it
plaint-the taking up Of the abandoned farms by
representatives Of the nationalities named-WilI
save rural Connecticut. The small towns OF the
State present most interesting study to-day, ana
the reports which come from them.
Some OF US who had great regard for Mr.. Hutch
ms will be glad II the message which he delivered
in the week in which he died shall stir up the
cation. to think and to act EDN1N S. LINES.
New-Haven, Conn, March II, 1903.