On the subject of woman’s “emancipation” Queen Margherita is equally outspoken:
I am absolutely opposed to any extravagant theories of what is called the emancipation of women. In whatever condition of life a woman may be placed, her first duty is the negative one of not giving up the qualities that distinguish her sex. Above all, she should guard against developing the trait of men. A blending of ancient reserve with modern independence would give us the ideal woman.
BIG BURDEN OF DEBT CARRIED BY BOSTONIANS.
Statistics Show That Ten Per Cent of Them Owe for Food, Rent, Clothing, and Funeral Expenses.
Charles F. Pidgin, chief of the Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor, has been inquiring into the question of debt. Statistics issued by the Bureau show that at least ten per cent of the residents of Boston are in debt for their food, rent, clothing, furniture, and for funeral and other expenses. These people are thus partly supported by others. Mr. Pidgin says:
Debt has gained such a hold upon the people of to-day that the only sure way to decrease the number of people who owe money, not only for extravagances but for sustenance, seems to be to begin with the children, and devise some scheme by which thrift may be taught in the public schools. The generation which is growing up should be taught to have a horror of indebtedness, and how to earn money, how to save it, and how to spend it wisely.
The effect of intemperance is taught in the public schools. Why should there not be some sort of course of study that will show the effect of indebtedness on a person’s life and character?
The children nowadays do not, as a rule, know the value of money. When they want spending money they go to their parents and ask for it. When it is gone they ask for more. Neither the parents nor the children in most cases know how much money goes in this way, and the youngsters are not called upon to exercise judgment in spending the money.
The little newsboys on the street work hard for their money. They know the value of every cent, and that they must save for a rainy day.
If other children were taught to earn a little, instead of having it always given to them, they would make better citizens and would know how far a dollar should go.