Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 20.djvu/768

* WORKHOUSE. 656 WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. unions, to build workhouses and to refuse re- lief to all who would not enter them. For nearly fifty years the dread of the workhouse stimulated the poor to provide for themselves, but this wholesome condition was completely changed by a periqd of sentimentalism wherein the famous statute 2-2 George HI., c. S3, in 1783, known as Gilbert's Act, practically broke down the work- house principle. From this time began those abuses of outdoor relief which resulted in the appointment of the Poor Law Commission of 1832 and the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834. See Pavpebism. The workhouse or house of correction in the United States is not a feature of the poor-law system of a commonwealth, but of its system of l)'enology. It is usually a developed or modified county jail. The nearest American approach to such ii test of aid-deserving poverty as the Eng- lish workhouse is intended to be is found in the Avoodyards and laundries maintained by charity ■organization societies. WORKINGMEN'S CLUBS. Organizations ■of wurkingmen for various purposes, but partak- ing nothing of the character of trade-unions or iriendly societies. Such clubs are practically unknown in the L'nited States, but are common in England and on the continent. A large propor- tion of the London clubs of this kind were gam- bling or drinking associations. There are a large number of philanthropic clubs, connected as a rule with some church organization. The po- litical clubs, about one-fourth of the total num- ber, are generally Socialistic in tone. A small number are organized for educational purposes or social purposes of an educational nature. On the continent the clubs comprise athletic organi- zations, Sociali-st clubs, and church societies. WORKINGMEN'S INSURANCE. The in- suring of workingmen against accident, sickness, or old age, carried on solely by the Government or by the Government in conjunction with em- ployers and employees. The system has attained itsfullest development in Germany, Austria, and Kew Zealand, and is making fairly rapid prog- ress in many European countries, notably Den- mark, France, and Italy. See Iksurance, sec- tion on the Relation of the Govertwient to In- svrance; Old Age Pensions. WORKINGTON. A seaport in Cumberland, England, at the mouth of the Derwent, on the Solway Firth. 7 miles north of Whitehaven (Map: England, C 2). Its importance is due to the neighboring coal mines, the extensive iron, steel, and other factories, a thriving salmon fisheiy, and an export trade in industrial prod- ucts. Population, in 1001, 26,141. WORKINGWOMEN'S CLUBS. Organiza- tions of workiiigWDiiicii for social and educational purposes. They are as a rule self-governing and self-supporting, the fees, however, being very moderate. The primary aim of such chibs is to bring within the reach of the woman in factory or shop the advantages of pleasant surroundings, dancing, books, music, etc.. but a common fea- ture is the instruction given in the various branches of domestic science as well as in stenog- raphy, typewriting, bookkeeping, etc. In a num- ber of cases vacation homes are maintained. The movement began in Boston about 1800 and has made rapid progress. There are now several State organizations of women's clubs and many independent organizations. WORKSOP, wurk'sup. A town in Notting- hamshire, England, 16 miles southeast of Shef- field, on the Ryton (Map: England, E 3). It has a fine old Norman church, with two lofty towers, a reHc of an Augustinian monastery, founded in 1103, and other interesting remains. Jlalting is the staple industry and there are agricultural implement works, iron and brass foundries, saw mills, and chemical works. Popu- lation, in 1901, 16,112. WORLDLY WISEMAN, Mr. An unlovely character in Bunyan's I'iUjrinvs Progress, repre- senting the unsatisfactory quality of knowledge gained only by experience and reason. WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. An international exposition held in Chicago, JIl., from May 1 to October 30, 1893. It had been pro- posed to celebrate the four hundredth anniversarj' of the landing of Columbus by a universal expo- sition, to be held in the United States, and the claims of New York, Washington, Saint Louis, and other cities as suitable jjlaces in which to hold such an exposition were strongly urged. Chicago, however, was successful in Congress, and accordingly on April 25, 1890, a bill was approved providing for the celebra- tion of "The Four Hundredth Anniversary of the Discovery of America by Christopher Colum- bus by holding an International Exhibition of Arts, industries. Manufactures, and the Products of the soil, mines, and sea, in the City of Chi- cago." A World's Columbian Connnission was authorized, of which Thomas W. Palmer became president, by whom George R. Davis was ap- pointed director-general. The funds for the Ex- position consisted of $10,000,000 raised by the city of Chicago, a loan of .$2,500,000 from Con- gress, debenture boHds for $5,000,000 issued by the Exposition authorities, together with mis- cellaneous contributions from various sources of about $3,000,000, making a total fund of about $20,000,000 that was available for use before the opening day. A site was chosen in Jackson Park in the southeastern part of Chicago, on the shore of Lake Michigan, covering an area of 066 acres, where 150 different buildings were erected. The work of designing and construction was placed under the charge of a Bureau of Construction, of which Daniel H; Uurnham was made chief. The princi]ial bviildings were constructed of a composition called stalf, con- sisting of a mixture of plaster of Paris, with a little cement, glycerin, and dextrin, in water, which at a short distance gave the eflfpct of mar- ble. This appearance led to the name of White City, by which the Exjiosition sulisequently be- came generally Icnown. The following were the larger buildings: Administration Building. 1),V Richard Jl. Hunt, in the style of the French Renaissance, surmounted by a gilded dome which formed one of the many con^jiicuous objects on the ground. Agricultural Building, bv McKim, Mead & White, in the classic Renaissance st.vle of architecture, with mammoth Corinthian jiillara on eillicr side of the main entrance. Electrical Building, by Van Brimt & Howe, in the Corin- thian style of architecture. Fine Arts Build- ing, by C. B. Atwood, in the Greek-Ionic or-