In
our Library - where Books are free
|
Chapter 2 - Poverty
-
From Poverty by James Platt
Page 37 Poverty
descriptions of the worst slums, think over the
condition and
habits of the occupants of the worst courts, and ask yourself
seriously if the degradation and misery therein is to he remedied
by cheap, good houses. Look at the inhabitants of these hovels,
watch them in their daily lives, and think what they would make
of new habitations if you transferred them thereto tomorrow. The
problem is more difficult than the majority imagine. Some think
it is a want of means, others that the landlords are too exacting,
or
|
|
|
|
|
that the vestries have been too lax;
but the real social problem to be solved, is, "how to raise the
desires, hopes, views of life in the very poorest class; how to
help them to become better in themselves." No doubt improved houses,
with all necessary arrangements for health and decency, would
improve the moral and physical energies of the inmates. But drunkards
are not limited to those who live in filthy courts. You must rouse
their self - respect ; and I doubt if this is to be done by an
extension of "legal pauperization." And this, too, is applicable
to all kinds of " State aid,"- destructive to the spirit of healthy
thrift and manly self - reliance. The enormous capital now held
by co-operative associations is a most striking and satisfactory
proof of what can be achieved by the energies of active, intelligent,
self-relying, and thrifty men. There is plenty of law as to the
dwellings of the poor. If legislation could do anything, it would
have been done long ago. Very powerful machinery is in existence
; what is required is the steam to set it in motion. There would
be no difficulty in getting "better dwellings," once the working
class had the desire for such, and the resolution to give up this
or that indulgence, and spend the money on better house accommodation
that is new recklessly wasted in other things. As a rule, it may
be accepted as an axiom, that "none can tell so well what would
suit, and serve, and please a class, as men of that class themselves;"
and each class will and does occupy dwellings fully as good as
their means will permit, and the culture they have acquired. Raise
their aspirations, encourage temperance, thrift, household virtues
and economies, and you put into action more potent
|
© Peter Smith 2008
|
