Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1907 — Seeking Cause of Poverty. [ARTICLE]

Seeking Cause of Poverty.

The idea of going after the causes of poverty, instead of dealing with effects, was championed by Gov. Hughes in a notable speech at the recent silver jubilee of the New York Charities Organization Society. He said, in part: “This society is the true agent of democracy, seeking not merely to apply balm to the bruises of life, but td eliminate the oauses of unnecessary injury. We cannot but realize that a large portion of our brethren are the helpless victims of an environment from which they cannot escape, and through which they are destined to physical misery, moral impoverishment and economic inefficiency. It is our duty patiently to consider what oan be done, not merely to afford temporary relief to immediate sufferers, but to change the improper environment and promote a healthier life.” He went on to enumerate the conditions desirable, and said thst the number of preventable casualties to workmen is a disgrace to the country.