New-York daily tribune., 1844-02-22

MENT OF THE PooR.-A Society under the above
title has been formed having for its object the re-
hef of the entire poor Of this city. An object SO
noble, and plan SO comprehensive, demands our
warmest sympathies and most active cooperation.
Partial relief has been furnished from time TO
time, but this is the first plan designed to reach
erery case Of suffering with the hand of kindness
and assistance 1t is simple in its outline and
clearly practicable in its details.
The city is divided into sixteen districts, each
ward forming district; and the districts are sub
| divided into such sections TO apporton TO each
about twenty-five families requiring attention. Each
district has Advisory Committee, consisting of
tve members; and each section Visitor Con-
nccted with this arrangements are Central Office.
and General Agent for the purpose OF concentrating
and diiiuslng all information pertaining to the So
cletys objects and operations. For the information
OF the members, a pocket dictionary is furnished,
| winch indicates at glance the bounds of every
| section, with the names and residences OF every
Visitor; also printed tickets for the purpose of re-
ferriDg mendcants 10 the Visitor of the section to
which they belong"
This plan, it will be seen, is perfectly simple
and plain, and yet comprehending every needy per-
son in its action When a mendicant appeals for
charity to any member of this Association, he
refers him Immediately to the Visitor Of his sec
ton. Street begging will thus be prevented; for
there will be no excuse for it, and no reward
extended to it. Vagrancy of all kinds will be
suppressed, and while we shall be saved from
being the dupes of knaves, we shall have the con-
ISOLATION of knowing that no needy person is with
out aid. The reports of the Visitors to their
mittees will be fair exhibition Of what has been
done and what needs to be remedied.
The printed card carried by the members,
bearing the direction of the visitors Of the differ
ent section prevents the mendicant to whom it
is given, from errng in his application, while it
is actual relief furnished in a better form than
money. The address of this association we
should like to see placed in the hand Of every
man. Ifproper visitors are secured-men, not OF
mere business,--but of warm hearts and KIND
manners, who will not only apply outward re-
lief to the distressed, but that which is often bet
ter, sympathy--this association will be one of
the greatest blessings ever conferred on the city.
A distinction is made between objects of charity;
and the relief, both in kind and quantity, adapted
to each class, which we deem of great importance.
LII tllS way VIC LiuuSuIOuS anu
the indolent stimulated to actien-the virtuous
sustained and the licentous and incorporate
checked in their career. Each visitor carries
with him manual containing particular rules
and instructions to guide him in all his conduct,
which is filled with the most just and excellent
advice. All that is wanted are funds, and these
we think cannot be withheld. A city capable of
forming and perfecting so comprehensive plan
of benevolence, cannot be wanting in the means
to put it in successful operation.
Ministering to the needy and succoring the
distressed, are becoming every day objects OF
deeper solicitude, and the highest life Of man felt
to be a life Of charity When such projects are
started, we do not despair but the time will come
when the cry Of the poor and suffering will be
heard through the noise and tumult OF business
that now so often prevents it being regarded
But complete and comprehensive this plan
is, we must repeat again, that it will only dlsap-
point its projectors unless the utmost care IS ex-
hibited, in the choice OF the amoners. It's but
small part Of their duty to relieve physical
want. We have considered it one of the great
errors of our charitable societies that they look
too much on the outward wants of those under
| their care
The rich too often forget that the poor have
pride as well as themselves, and are endowed with
feelings AS sensitive and quick as their own
They think, or act as if they thought, that mis-
fortune should not only kill all feelings of nde-
| pendence but prevent all exhibitions Of human
fratv. We have seen charity bestowed IN
| manner So patronizing, and in spirit so unjust,
that we felt that the moral effect on the recipient
was worse than il nothing had been given.
II should also be remembered that crime and
| deception instead of lessening solcitude should
only increase it, as they show on a greater de-
| eradaton and misery. Besides, mere physical
relief is very transient in the blessings 1t coniers.
Stimulation to industry and economy, and the
leading up to self respect and purity are the uIt-
| mate ends of all right charity. To effect these,
men of peculiar fitness are required. Such men
find a reward in these cmploymeats, and grow
better simply by the proper education OF their
| own sympathies,
Contributions and subscriptions may be sent to
r. B. Minturn, Treasurer, IS South street, to H.
NJ. Hartley, corner of Grand and Elm streets, or
members of the Ward Committees.
COLLAPSED A F1uE-On 29th ult., the steam
boat Hugh L. White, when near Nanaphaa
Bluff, on the Bigbee River, Ala, collapsed her
larboard flue, by which one OF the engineers and
| deck hand were badly scalded, and negro wo-
| man is missing. The injury was sufficiently re-
paired to allow the boat to proceed on her trip.
n The extensive furniture warehouse OF
Messrs. Jacques & Hay, at Toronto, was de-
s.rnred bv 6re on Saturday week. The building