1 62 HEREDITY AND CHRISTIAN PROBLEMS 



The State can do something by passing uni- 

 form marriage and divorce laws, and compelling 

 proper provision for many children who would 

 otherwise grow up in neglect. 



It can also diminish, and, with the advance of 

 public sentiment, finally abolish, the saloon, and 

 thus remove a most prolific source of pauperism. 



The State can attach to the postal service a 

 system of Penny Savings Banks, so that there 

 shall be before all people, even little children, a 

 constant incentive to industry and frugality. The 

 people will trust the nation when they would not 

 'crust individuals. And it should be as universal 

 as the postal system, so that not only in cities 

 but also in towns and country districts there may 

 be an opportunity of investing small sums. 



We thus see that it is within the power of the 

 State to make monopoly in land impossible ; to 

 compel the erection of dwellings which shall put 

 a premium on decent living and good behaviour, 

 the dwellings to be rented at prices which the 

 poor can pay ; to pass uniform marriage laws ; to 

 abolish the saloon ; and to establish Postal Penny 

 Savings Banks, in all these ways creating a better 

 environment for the people. And it can do one 

 thing more, — it can make pauperism criminal. 

 Certain localities do this now, but there would be 



