The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-13
MASSACHUSETTS PAUPERs.

MASSACHUSETTS, PAUFEhS,
 If the name of Tewksbury could be changed" said Dr. J. F. Lewis, T be- lieve that the work that is being done there would arouse more interest in the people of Massachusetts. But Rhere is something mean and loath- some attaching to that name. Don't you think sop
 The Tewksbury almshouse, twenty five years ago, was probably the worst institution of its kind on the face of the globe. It was Governor Butler who caused an investigation of the conduct of its affairs under the un- speakable Marshes. That investiga- tion resounded around the world. To think that Massachusetts. a communi- ty supposed to be of the highest intel ligence and virtue, a community from which came the greatest champions of freedom and public virtue, should be conducting public institution, home for it's poor, infirm and insane, where the worst atrocities in the way of crll> city and neglect were perpetuated, was a shock to the world.
 'Is there not such thing as re- deeming a tarnished name?" pr. Lewis was asked. If Tewksbury is to-day what she should be, why should she be ashamed of her name?"
 "Tewksbury what she should be! Tewksbury is one of the finest state hospitals in the world,' said Charles H. Adams, one of the state board of supervisors, appointed by Governor Bates. Massachusetts has spent one million dollars purifying and rectify- ing the conditions which existed in 1883, and in building new buildings and enlarging and broadening the work of caring for the pauper sick and infirm of the state. If Governor Butler made l Massachusetts writhe in shame for the neglect of her poor, the quickened New England conscience made honorable amends, Tewksbury to-day is the glory 1 of the Commonwealth"
 1 Before the Marshes were cleaned out, root and branch, uncle and nephew, mother and son, Tom and Charlie, and f Dr, Nellie, they were very thoroughly investigated. A legislative committee spent several months hearing the re- ! IUIlS Ul MItLeSSGS NliO were moned by Governor Butler to support his charges. The legislative commit tee split in making its final report, the line of, cleavage being political. l But" said MT. Adam, who dis cussed these old reports with Herald reporter, If Governor Butler took the lid off at Tewksbury, and made Mas sachusetts blush before the gaze of the civilized world. he took the lid off for keeps It has never been screwed on again, The best philanthropy of modern times has found It's opportuni- 1 ty in the same almshouse. .
 We don't call it the almshouse now, by the way, but the state hospital. For what is a pauper2 Not merely poor person, but one who is disabled from helping himself, either through chron- ic or acute disease, or because of age and infirmity with no friends to care for him. To-day, the paupers of Mas sachusetts have the best hospital care that science affords, and the old and infirm are surrounded by, cheerful comfort, and live out their days in an environment superior to that which they have ever known. Seeing is be- lieving; go and see for yourself"
 Every day at 2:15 o'clock the Boston and Maine road runs a special car to Tewksbury for the use of the state charges. Some days this car is pretty we'll filled; other days there will be only a few passengers. On the train one day recently were several inca ] yNo 1it n old a 1young girl with a baby in her arms. The young woman looked healthy and fairly we'll dressed. She was attrac-
 tive in appearance, but her expression
 was one of depression and sadness.
 Why are you going to Tewksbury?"
 she was asked.
 Ehe looked up with large, startled eyes, in which dread of the future 1 gathered in unshed tears. She shiv.
 cred slightly, and drew the baby closer
 to her breast.
 T am going down to wean the
 child" she said. He is only two
 weeks old. I am strong; and I shal
 come back to work. The doctor says
 the state will take my child"
 ''Why do you go to Tewksbury?" the ? question was repeated.
 Because there Is no place else fol
 me-" said the mother, who was little more than a child herself, and bent
 her head over the baby.
 Are you glad of the chance to gel
 shelter and care there?"
 T don't know" said the girl, ant
 again she looked up with the startled
 eyes full of dread and fear.
 The old woman sitting in the corner snapped her black eyes. She rubbed her toil-worn hands one over the othel nervously and opened and shut he, mouth without saying anything. Thert seemed to be a dryness In her throa, } that prevented her from speaking, Sh, had seen better days, as the expres sion goes. She was accepting the in } evitable, perhaps, of thankless son , and daughters, perhaps of ''unmerci ; full disaster, following fast and follow | ing faster" The old woman, too, wa 5 filled with unnamable dread. ? The men were all wrapped in apathy ? a Hstlessness which promised nothing : from questioning. So it is that tn - paupers take their journey to tn sta.tie's refuge. Society has not yet in r spired it's members with a belief tha } charity is beautiful in it's kindness l Boston Herald.