56 



The following is from the Episcopal clergyman in one 

 of the districts in Minnesota where pupils have been 

 placed. This gentleman, who is highly respected in the 

 State, has shown much interest in their welfare, and his 

 letter is in response to a request- from us for criticisms or 

 suggestions on the system. The concluding paragraph 

 refers to one or two isolated cases in which much trouble 

 and annoyance have been caused to the agency by the 

 young men having been addicted to habits of intemperance, 

 which they could not be induced to abandon : 



" I quite agree with your letter of December 10th. Since my 

 writing I have given tbouglit to particular cases, and I do not see 

 how any better arrangement can be made. As I see more of the 

 young men I fully agree with what you say on page 6. There 

 are some fine fellows ; others of a different character. The friends 

 of some of them ought not to send them money to use at their 

 discretion, for they thereby defeat the very end of their coming 

 here. As you say, they can become self-supporting from the first. 



" Every young man who comes « to America, and will be 

 industrious, economical and sober, can succeed, but their friends 

 must not interfere with their habits of self-reliance. I have given 

 the young men good counsel as to our customs, and can be of great 

 service to them if they will allow me to be so by being worthy 

 of it. 



" Many of the young men in this county are well spoken of. 

 As County Superintendent, I have the best of opportunities to 

 see them, and many of them come in often to Church. We had a 

 good number at Christmas at Holy Communion. 



" I feel quite sure your agent has done his duty faithfully in 

 locating these lads. Some of them will date their manhood from 

 this point of life. 



" As to those who come to America because their friends desire 

 to be rid of them, I fear Httle can be done for them, but no one 

 is to blame for this but themselves." 



And February 16th, 1882, writes : 



" Your pamphlet was duly received some weeks since. I do 

 not see how it could be changed for the better. I would think 

 you had taken every precaution possible to protect the young men 

 sent out under your avispices, and those who will succeed else- 

 where are doing well. I mean those who are persevering. An 

 industrious young man of energy and a fair education can do well 

 in America." 



