Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1907 — Immigrants Have Lost a Friend. [ARTICLE]

Immigrants Have Lost a Friend.

In a recent address William T. Stead, the London Journalist and peace envoy, discussing some of the changes which be has noted since his visit 14 years ago, had this to say: “We can make good citizens of the children of immigrants,, but the problem lies in the disposition of the present generation. In the old days of the ward-heeler, the professional bondsman and the corrupt political rings, which I understand you have abolished, the immigrant was cared for from the time he set foot in your city until he passed out of this life. “He wRb cared for by the wardheeler, who established him in the very fabric of your modern civilization, whocared for him while lie lived, who buried him when he died. Just because the man was entitled to a vote, and that vote was desired. That may be a low form of human bfotherliood. It may be a low motive, but it works out. “You have destroyed the old ‘Justice shop’ system by the establishment of municipal courts. You have made history of the professional bondsmen, the picturesque figures of the old days. You have rooted out tbe old corruption in political dictatorships, but take care that you have not destroyed a fundamental good thing in your social and economic fabric. These Immigrants are now loose ui»ou your city, and there is, it seems to me, no one to look after his welfare. No one seems to care for his welfare.”