THE CITY’S MORAL SIDE.
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Chicago has been called, in its time, the wickedest city in the
world, and somehow or other (in exactly what manner it matters not)
the impression has gone abroad that it is really a very wicked place
indeed. It is with the idea of counteracting this impression in some
degree that reference is about to be made to some institutions,
the very existence of which, denotes a desire on the part of the
respectable majority to do all they can for the benefit and improvement
of the minority, given over to evil ways.
Every great city in the world has its wicked side. Chicago is not an
exception to the rule, but it may be maintained, with earnest emphasis,
that it is at least no worse in this respect than its contemporary
cities. It contains, moreover, some institutions that should atone, in
the eyes of its critics, for some of the evils that are undoubtedly to
be found within its borders.
It is possible for a perfectly moral person, one used to all the
refinement and peace of the most law-abiding and self-respecting of
communities, to spend any length of time in Chicago without being
contaminated by the evil that may be found easily enough if sought.
This statement is made with due consideration and careful thought. It
may seem a bold one, but it is true, nevertheless.
In a previous chapter, on the churches of Chicago the author has given
the reader some idea of the strictly religious institutions of the
city. But there are other institutions, semi-secular in their nature
and tone, but wholesome in their effect upon the moral welfare of
stranger and native alike, that deserve especial mention.
This allusion does not apply to the inebriate asylums, the hospitals or
charitable institutions. They are too numerous to particularize, but
they all exert a wholesome effect upon the moral welfare of the city.
But the Young Men’s Christian Association, or, rather, the Chicago
branch of it, deserves some special attention. The present home of
the Association, on the south side of Madison street, between Clark
and La Salle, was for a long time ample to provide for the wants
of members and strangers. A new building, however, is in course of
preparation. The site of the new building adjoins the present property.
The lot has a 52 foot front on La Salle street and 185 feet on Arcade
court. One-third of the space in the new building will be utilized for
Association purposes and the remainder for offices, the ground floor
being rented for stores. The Y. M. C. A. proper will have two stories
fronting on La Salle street and seven on Arcade court. The estimated
cost of the new building, which will contain libraries, reading-rooms,
gymnasium, etc., of the most approved description, will be $1,400,000.
The Young Men’s Christian Association is an organization whose
influence is felt around the world. Its branches extend to every
inhabited portion of the globe, and it goes without saying, perhaps,
that a member of the Y. M. C. A. from another city is always sure of
a welcome at the home of the Association in this city or elsewhere.
In addition to the members, strangers are always welcome at the
Association rooms and every consideration shown for their benefit and
comfort.
The Chicago membership is over 5,000. There are five branches in
different parts of the city.
The Public Library is an institution the good influence of which can
hardly be over-estimated. It is at present located on the fourth floor
of the City Hall building, though in future years it will occupy a
splendid home of its own now in progress of erection on the vacant
lot known as Dearborn Park, Michigan avenue, between Randolph and
Washington streets. It is one of the largest free public libraries in
the world, and its reading and reference rooms are at all times open
to strangers. A card signed by some respectable citizen is the only
passport needed to its circulating shelves.
The new Women’s building, at the corner of La Salle and Monroe streets,
must remain an everlasting monument to the influence of good women upon
the existence of mankind, at least so far as Chicago is concerned. It
was erected under the supervision of the Woman’s Christian Temperance
Union, of which Miss Frances Willard is President, and is devoted to
all the purposes in which female organizations are interested. The
building is fifteen stories in height and the architecture is superb.
Lady visitors will find it more than worth their while to inspect it.
The Permanent Art building, now in course of erection on the Lake
Front, on the site of the old Exposition building, is to take the
place of the old Art Institute, corner of Michigan avenue and Van
Buren street, recently purchased by the Chicago club. The structure
has a frontage of 320 feet on Michigan avenue, a length of 178 feet
and a depth of 208, with a main entrance facing Adams street. In it,
when complete, will be found as fine an art collection as any on the
American continent, upon which the visitor or student may spend hours
in meditative gazing. The World’s Fair directory contributed $200,000
toward the erection of the building, $275,000 more was raised by
the sale of the old building, and $125,000 by private subscription.
The structure, when completed and filled to the satisfaction of its
projectors, will be one of the sights of Chicago.
There are many other features that might be mentioned as embracing the
workings of Christian influence upon the mighty and ever-increasing
population of the city, but those mentioned will suffice. There are a
hundred avenues open to peaceful enjoyment for old and young, rich and
poor.
It is possible to spend any length of time in this city, and enjoy
yourself in a quiet, unostentatious and perfectly moral way without
being contaminated by the evil that confessedly exists in certain
spots.