There is, perhaps, no keener test of the
standing of a person or a city in the scale of
civilization, than their treatment of the sick or
helpless poor dependent upon them. Dives,
the barbarian, whether in Jerusalem two thou-
sand years ago, or in Boston to-day, lets the
poor lie at his gate in indifference, at the mercy
of every scavenger that may prey upon them.
The " Good Samaritan," whether on the road to
Jericho, or at Rainsford Island, stops with sym-
pathetic eye, a helpful hand, and open purse to
share his best with the victim of misfortune
or wrong.
We come this morning to examine into the
attitude of Boston toward her paupers who are
cared for in the two institutions at Long Island
and Rainsford Island. I have made repeated
visits to these islands, and approach this discus-
sion only after many weeks of reflection, and
a careful sifting of the information received.
I have hesitated about treating the subject at
all, because a criticism of a public institution is
supposed by so many people to mean a personal



260 WHITE SLAVES

accusation or attack upon the parties in charge
of it. I wish to say, in the beginning, that so
far as I have been able to see, tlie officers imme-
diately in charge of these institutions are kind-
hearted and humane, and are endeavoring to do
the best they can, with the means at their
disposal. After saying that, I propose, with-
out any regard as to whom it may please or
displease, to point out candidly what seems to
me inexcusable thoughtlessness and grievous
errors in the treatment of the paupers in these
institutions.
