IT HAS BEGUN
Since the foregoing pages were electrotyped two incidents of the utmost importance and of the greatest significance are reported. That relative to disarmament at the suggestion of the Tzar of All the Russias is startling and most gratifying, but it is of no greater significance to the progress of civilization than the revival of interest in first principles in elementary education in the United States. There is activity in many directions and several cities have quietly made important additions to their facilities for the training of little children, even while popular interest has been absorbed in the excitement of war.
The example of the city of Chicago, the city of rapid change and of great results, in securing the services of a very distinguished educator from the head of a university to take charge of her public schools and the expressed attitude of this master of "higher education" toward elementary education "from the kindergarten up," may be given as a typical illustration.
Dr. E. Benjamin Andrews, in assuming charge of the Chicago public schools as superintendent gave free expression of his opinion relative to the problem he was called to solve. One report is as follows:
"Doctor, will you please give, for publication, your ideas concerning the schools as you now understand the question?"
"Certainly, and with pleasure. In the first place, and of first importance, I understand that rapid growth and a somewhat unsettled population has found the city unprepared for the care of all the small children. There are twenty thousand children of primary school age for whom there are no seats in school. I believe in applying first and unremitting effort to starting children right in their life career, and this must be done by especial care for elementary education from the kindergarten up."
"Do you consider French, German, drawing, manual-training, domestic science and other uncommon branches to be 'fads' of some educators and not suitable or necessary departments of public education?"
"I do not. All branches of learning are useful, and should be available to any who seek them, but none of the other branches should be supported at the sacrifice of the elementary branches."
During the preparation of this appeal for a Perfect Social Quarantine which shall allow no child to escape intelligent care, the early galley proofs of the work were sent to a large number of persons, representing many different points-of-view, who are engaged in educational, correctional, political and business affairs in this country and in England for criticism and suggestions. The responses have been generous and much of the argument, as it stands, is based upon this testimony. While the book is in press, however, further responses are flooding in, which show the interest of all persons in the thorough aim appealed for. Those who have diverse ideas relative to grown-up questions of competitive interest are of one mind relative to giving babies a chance to develop the best there is in them. It is recognized that, under present conditions of neglect, there are children born who "have no show on earth" to be good and useful citizens. It is also recognized that while one such example of neglect remains or is possible a nation has no good title or claim to the distinction of being called a civilized country. She can only be classed as "partly civilized," while there is one known case of neglect.
Of especial importance are the suggestions and data collected and sent to the author from London by Julian Ralph, Esq., and promise of "a substitution of a heavy backing of easily obtainable facts for the appeals, which would render them unnecessary," from Prof. Graham Taylor, of the University of Chicago, and of the Chicago Commons Social Settlement.
These must form a separate book, for they are too extended for the present volume, although their evidence adds valuable support.
The history of child-training and child-saving in the United States is that of a discovery and wonderful development of latent forces, whose cultivation or neglect produces more happiness or more unhappiness, as the case may be, than any other source of power.
Child-saving, in this country on an extensive scale, was inaugurated by Mr. Charles L. Brace, of New York, followed soon after by the Catholic Protectory under the care of the Paulist Brotherhood, and child-training was introduced from Germany into the United States by Elizabeth Peabody, of Boston.
About the same time Dr. Thomas J. Barnardo, of London, established the "Dr. Barnardo Homes," whose chronicles during thirty-two years show only 1.84 per cent. of failure to make good children of the worst product of city slums.[9]
The world owes these altruists, and all who have followed in the development of their work, a debt of happy gratitude.
The title of "Angels of the State," given to kindergartners, is borrowed from a charming little book by the Rev. Frank Sewall, of Washington, D.C.
[9] ] Within the past twenty-six years nine thousand five hundred and fifty-six trained boys and girls, the flower of my flock, have been placed out in situations in the Colonies, and have been continuously looked after and supervised ever since by a company of devoted and experienced men and women. Results recently tabulated in reports to and from the Government of Canada show that the failures among these emigrants is less than two per cent. (actually 1.84 per cent.) of the whole."—Thomas J. Barnardo, F.R.C.S., Ed., founder of the "Dr. Barnardo's Homes," London, England.
DEDICATION
Auditorium Annex,
Chicago, August 16, 1898.
Miss Amalie Hofer,
Manager Kindergarten Literature Company,
Woman's Temple, Chicago, Ill.:
Dear Miss Hofer:—In searching for the best means of distributing my new book—"That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine"—my attention was called to the decree on the cover of your magazine—"Pledged to Make the Kindergarten Free to All Children."
Further inquiry reveals the fact that your stockholders are deeply interested in kindergarten-propagation work; that your profits are dedicated to that cause, and that you have over four thousand correspondents who are enthusiastic workers.
Inasmuch as I propose to contribute the profits derived from the sale of the book to form the nucleus of a fund with which to champion the establishment of Character-Building and Habit-Forming schools or institutions to meet the needs of all Apprentice Citizens, and for the advocacy of the creation of a department of the Federal Government to promote and guard Citizen-Training (especially during the period of tenderest and strongest impressions), it seems to me that your organization and I should co-operate.
The kindergarten has been the means of demonstrating the efficiency of character-training, and, while it is only one branch of elementary character education, it is the parent of all which have come into existence as a result of the success of the teachings of Pestalozzi and Froebel. You may, therefore, consistently extend your interest to all phases of the work.
If the Child-Crop of a nation is the source of all its strength or weakness—happiness or trouble—why should there not be a strongly-equipped department of the national government to minister to its interests, as there are departments of State, Agriculture and others, whose heads form the Cabinet of the Executive.
I send you herewith galley proofs of the book by which you may learn if you are in sympathy with my presentation of the case.
Respectfully yours,
Horace Fletcher.
INDIVIDUAL CO-OPERATION
OR
What Constitutes an Active Quarantinist
Advance copies of That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine, were sent to a large number of persons in different walks of life asking for suggestions relative to practical individual co-operation in promoting a social quarantine worthy of Twentieth Century Ideals, to be in active operation (started), with the complete aim, at the opening of the coming century, January 1st, 1900.
The time has been too short since the mailing of the advance copies to remote points to give the entire consensus of opinion. Sufficient suggestions have, however, been received to formulate a plan of individual co-operation, and to suggest the grouping of individuals into organizations for the purpose of a thorough quarantine campaign.
The most hopeful signs elicited by the call for suggestions come from the least expected sources. Persons who are themselves under the ban of social disapproval through participation in occupations that are classed "not respectable" by social decree, jump to support the movement, because they best know that cruel conditions of persecution and neglect do exist. They not only have felt the neglect or persecution themselves, but are in touch with it and with the children who now "have no show on earth to be good." This is due to the neglect of society to provide children an opportunity to choose between the good and the bad by supplying adequate infant and progressive character schools as recommended in our appeal.
FORMULA
1. The title of the individual shall be Quarantinist; all others, not active quarantinists, being classed as Neglectists.
2. The insignia of the Quarantinist Order shall be golden yellow (the quarantine color) ground, with the fraction 1/100 on it in black.
3. The contribution of the Quarantinist to the promotion of social quarantine shall be one one-hundredth of his or her time, each month, toward assisting people in less fortunate circumstances to favorable conditions; especial attention being given to children as recommended in "That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine."
THE BENEFITS ARE MUTUAL
One per cent., or 1/100, of income may easily be saved from some careless waste, and if applied monthly would not be missed. Looking for waste for the small contribution to quarantine would lead to habits of care in personal and household economy that would pay the quarantinist many-fold benefit. One per cent, or 1/100, of time is seven to eight hours per month. That time, devoted to the consideration of the less fortunate, would reveal phases of one's own good fortune that would revive a just appreciation of blessings now lost sight of in contemplation of the glitter of extravagance, which flashes out in the midst of still greater unhappiness and discontent in the social strata above.
The insignificant contribution of a quarantinist would, in the aggregate, even if participated in by only half the people, easily effect a Perfect Social Quarantine worthy of the highest Christian Ideals.
Every suggestion involved in participation in the quarantine movement is for the benefit of the participant and involves no sacrifice that does not repay in cash (economy) as well as in other means of happiness.
Next to the neglected children who "have no show on earth to be good," the most unfortunate class of any community is the clerk or other worker, having a salary of from $2,000 to $5,000 a year and having conventional social aspirations. Turning of the attention of this class of unfortunates to the suggestions involved in quarantine, and active participation in the work, even in so insignificant a degree as 1/100 of time and income, will remove a fruitful source of crime, due to extravagance, which reflects even more discredit upon our social system than any other of its inconsistencies.
WARNING
Help people only to help themselves, if possible.
Indiscriminate charity often does more harm than good.
Dispense your charity personally, if possible.
The best charity is assisting education, especially Character-Building and Useful-Habit-Forming.
ORGANIZATION
Supplementary to the suggestions for "Local Quarantine Organizations" beginning on page 169 of That Last Waif; or, Social Quarantine, several good ideas have been received.
A successful "boss" in politics, whose methods have been invincible in promoting the interests of his party says: "There is some good man or woman in every city block or ward who will be your resident representative. He or she will know the immediate requirements of his beat or detail in the matter of quarantine suggestions, and will give you all the information you want. District your community in as small sections as possible, find the right person to assist you in each section, tabulate your need for the prevention of neglect, estimate reasonable cost, and then demand it of the City Council or Town Board, and you'll get it without a kick. If your movement is all right, as it seems, the 1/100 dues by your quarantinists will be more than you will want for your purpose till the council acts, but any 'boodle' body, as people call the progressive governments, that I know anything about, will do it for you as quick as a wink and they won't want any 'rake off' either. They will be the first to join your order, as they can understand a 'sweep,' and they know the needs. Everybody will vote to give the babies a chance. Put me down anyhow; I'm with you for all I've got."
The above suggestion is excellent. One serious and earnest person in any community can start a movement to district his or her community and get co-operation in each district. The politicians will help you if your aim is single and if the welfare of the children, on non-political and non-sectarian lines, is your high purpose. Do this first, and know that good politics and religion will be the fruit of the effort as surely as light dispels gloom or darkness!
The above method is in use in many German cities for philanthropic and educational work and secures for the community practically a quarantine from disorder. The "five household" method of division and social supervision was the ancient method adopted in Japan, to whose influence is undoubtedly due the marvelous discipline, on social lines, and the immunity from disorder, that the Japanese enjoy more than any other people.
ABOVE ALL: BE A QUARANTINIST YOURSELF!! THE REST WILL FOLLOW.
Later, February 1st, 1899
"FIRED THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD"
Leading citizens and officials in four cities have pledged their cities to accomplish Social Quarantine.
The General Federation of Women's Clubs of the United States, through the president, Mrs. Rebecca D. Lowe, of Atlanta, Ga., and the National Congress of Mothers, through the president, Mrs. Alice G. Birney, have pledged their efforts to Social Quarantine, and will make Social Quarantine the key-note of their administration.
The adjourned Prison Reform Congress, which convened at New Orleans in January last, resounded with notes which advocated prevention to avoid the necessity of punishment. Social Quarantine was explained to the Congress by the author, and, at the close of his address, by a rising vote, the Convention unanimously subscribed to the practicability, desirability, and possibility of Social Quarantine as just expounded.
BECAUSE "IT PAYS!"
The National Cash Register Company, of Dayton, Ohio, employing over two thousand employees, and said by experts to be the most perfectly organized industrial institution in the world, having many unusual features of comfort and recreation for the employees because "It Pays," and having kindergartens, cooking schools, gardens, etc., for the training of the children of the employees and other residents of the factory quarter, have published the decree that, "After 1915 no application for employment in the company will be considered unless the applicant has had an industrial (otherwise kindergarten) training in childhood." The company will continue to publish this conspicuously, and why? Because, in their experience, children so trained are workers to be trusted without superintendence, and "It Pays" to have such workers.
This shot at old conditions relative to the improper care of children is the result of experience, and it is truly a shot that will be "Heard 'round the World" louder than that which first belched forth in defence of personal liberty at Concord, Mass.
The liberty to learn to work with skill, and to participate in recreative work, is the ultimate liberty that ensures the possibility of happiness. This is the aim of the educational philosophy of Froebel, so ably endorsed by Charles Dickens, so beautifully exemplified by Mrs. Peabody, Mrs. Cooper, Miss Blow and others by successful practice, and now brought into the economics of manufacture by a great company which has tried it and finds that "It Pays."
Transcriber's Note:
Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed.
The cover of this ebook was created by the transcriber and is hereby placed in the public domain.