The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-10

| III which there can be elementary pre-
| paration for agriculture and industry.
These schools for technical training
| will hold a great place in the future
| in fitting our citizens for doing their
| economic duties in the best possible
shape. In the south there is popula-
ton peculiarly fitted to profit by them,
a population which has been generally
referred to as poor white a popula-
ton of splendid capacities, and almost
purely of the old native stock which
simply lacks the opportunity to develop
degree of industrial efficiency I'M
surpassed elsewhere this contin-
ent.
1t IS a matter for congratuIatfon that
there is such a steady increase of in
terest in the southern states in every
thing pertaining 10 children. This has
already markedly shown itself, and 1
hope will still more markedly show it
self In the future, in warning against
the evil of child labor in factories. The
factory is a very poor place indeed for
child; indeed, personally l think the
factory a poor place for a woman
certainly for a married woman, or for
an unmarried woman for more than
very few years. In any community or
ganized on really healthy lines the av-
erage woman will have quite enough
to do in her own home, whether she is
rich or poor; and nowhere else can she
do work of such value to the nation as
a WhOle-and by work, l mean her
homework, her work as housewife and
mother, and not so-called home in
dustries" AS regards children, it is as
essential to look after their physical as
their mental training. We can not az
ford to let children grow up ignorant;
and if they are sent to school they can
not, while young, also work hard out
side without detriment, physical, mem
tai and moral. There is urgent need
for the health authorities to increase
their care over the hygienic conditions
and surroundings of children or tender
years, and especially to supervise those
81, -oI,A fG
to reform bad children, to try to build
up degenerate children; but it is an
even better thing to try to keep healthy
in soul, body, and mind those children
who are now sound but who may. easily
grow up unsound if no care is taken
of them. The nations most valuable
asset is the children; for the chlldTen
are the nation of the future. All peo-
ME alive to the nations need should
Join together to work for the moral,
spiritual, and physical welfare or the
children in all parts of our land. L am
glad that there has been founded a
giene, and wish it, and all ITS pranch-
es, well in every way
Care of the Children.
There is increasing need that the
welfare of the children should pc Ell
fectively safeguarded by governmental
action; with the proviso, however, that
this action shall be taken with know
ledge and in a spirit of robust common
sense; for philanthropy, whether gov
ornamental or individual, is a curse and
NOT a. blessing when marked by a spirit
of foolish sentimentality and lgnor-
ance Such governmental action is
merely one inevitable result OF the
ever-increasing growth or our complex
becomes more and more necessary
that, without sacrificing their ind1v1d-
ual independence, the people or TINS
country shall recognize in more erect
int NJ
dence. and the duty of safeguarding |
the interest of each in the ultimate in
terest of all. We have inherited ana
developed superbly selr-relant IN
in this country. 1 most |
earnestly hope that it will not be lost,
that it will never be exchanged for a |
deadening socialism. The only per-
manently beneficial way in which to
help anyone is to help him to help |
himself; if either private charity. or
governmental action, or any form of
social expression destroys the indi-
viduaPs power of self help. the gravest
possible wrong is really done to the
Individual. Nevertheless, as the con-
ditfons of life grow more complex, it
Is not possible to trust our welfare only
to the unbridled individual working as
that unit wills. We need laws for the
care of our children which were not
needed when this country was in its
infancy We need laws for the control
Of vast corporations such as were not
needed when the lnOlN1Qudl fortunes
were far smaller than at present, and
when these fortunes were not COM
bined for business use. In the same
way we need to change our attitude
toward labor problems from what that
attitude was in the days when the
great bulk of our people lived in the
with no more complex labor
citations than is implied in the con-
lection between the farmer and the
hired help.
Should Safeguard Workingmen.
For example, the great increase in
mechanical and manufacturing opera
ions means a corresponding increase |
n the number of accidents to the wage
workers. employed therein, these in
luding both preventable and newt
BILE accidents. To the ordinary wage
workers. family such a calamity means {
rim hardship. AS the work is done
or the employer and therefore ulti- l
nately for the public. it is a bitter in '
Justice that it should be the wage
yorker himself and his wife and chill |
rem who bear the whole penalty. Leg e
Station should be had, alike from the
alton and from the states, not only
o guard against the needless multi s
lication of these accidents. but to re- {
EVE the financial suffering due to {
hem. Last winter congress passed a t
afety-appliance law which marked a | '
1ng stride in the right direction But l
here should be additional legislation Y