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.