The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-27
Address OF the Association for the Improve
ment Of the Condition OF the Poor.

To THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK.
The recent organization OF this institution hav-
practically acquainted with its character and de-
sign, the Executive Committee respectfully invite
your attention TO brief exposition of its principles
object, and modes OF action.
It's primary object is to dlscsuntenance indlscri-
inmate alms-giving, and put an end to street beg
glDg and vagrancy. Secondly, II proposes TO visit
the poor at their dwellings, carefully TO examine
their circumstances and extend TO them appropriate
relief; and through the friendly intercourse of vi
sitersto nculcate among them the habits OF frugal
ty. temperance, industry, and sell dependence.
To effect these important objects, the city from
the Battery 10 40;h street, is divided into sixteen
Districts, which are sub divided into 236 sections
Each District has responsible Committee, and
each section an efficient visitor. Connected with
the arrangement are general agent, and central
office, where is kept register of the persons who
receive aid from this and other benevolent assoca-
tions, and from the city authorities. A pocket Di-
rectory Is furnished to every Member OF the Assoca-
ton Chat is, every contributor TO Its funds), which
shows the name and residence OF every vlster, and
the section committed to his care also printed
tickets for referring mendcants to visiters. BY
this simple arrangement, the prompt visitation and
relief Of the poor are secured, and the public no
longer constrained lby appeals TO their humanity,
to bestow aims on unknown applicants, who may
be deserving, or otherwise. Long experience haa
shown the practice Of indlscriminate alms-givlng
to be contrary to every sound principle OF phllan-
thropy; yet it has hitherto prevailed TO great ex
tent Tor want OF an instrumentallty which would
IL
put an end to the impostions of the unworthy
Such an instrumentality is furnished by this
cation. BY cooperating, therefore, with II, every
benevolent individual may follow the impulses OF
his own heart and contribute to the comforts OF
his suffering fellow beings, without the hazard OF
encouraging lmposture or vagrancy.
The experience OF the past season has so nearly
fulfilled the early promise OF the undertaking, that
the Executive Committee feel assured that the
principles upon which il is based are sound, and
deserve public confidence and support. Notwith-
standing the occurrence OF few minor difficulties,
incident 10 every undertake ing, tho sys,sm hos
worked with precision and effect. In nine months
it has relieved 1856 families, and the extent Of per-
sonal exeron in behalf Of its objects is shown by
the number Of visits, OF enquiry and sympathy,
made to them, which exceed 800
The great object of the association, the diminu.
ton Of pauperisni, by eevating the condition OF lis
subjects, and the establishment OF permanent sys-
tern Of a!ms-giving, without risk OF individual or
public injury, can only be attained by prolonged
continuance Of the means employed. The Execu-
tive Committee deeply sensible Of the response
blhty which rests upon the Association. The I'M
perious necessity OF some measure OF this nature
has been long and generally felt The success Of
the past season. and the extent to which 1t IS known
that the public will rely upon the fundamentally
OF this association, have conferred upon the un-
dertaking high degree of importance. No exer-
ton has been spared to perfect the system, and to
provide careful supervision Of its operations; but
unless the resources placed at its disposal bear
due proportion the burhen that will be imposed,
ii is evident that its efforts will be in vain.
To the contributors OF the public, therefore
embracing, il is hoped, greater or less sum from
every family able and willing to assist those who
are in distress and want-must the association look
for the means OF sustaining the position which has
been taken with such encouraging results. The
rapid approach OF an inclement season demands
early and liberal provision. "The poor shall never
cease out of the land" Muutudes must suffer the
accumulated evils of sickness and poverty, unless
relieved by private charity.
of thy brother be waxen poor, then shalt thou
relieve him that he may live" "Thou shalt not
harden thy heart nor shut thine eye against thy
poor brother. Therefore thus do command thee,
saith the Lord Almighty"
The Executive Committee are gratiied in being
able to stale, that, by an arrangement with that
excellent association Of ladies', the Female Assist
ance Society," the sick poor referred visters,
will! receive their kind and valuable aid and atten-
tions
Donations and subscriptions are now greatly
needed, and may be sent to X. b. Mlnturn, Trea-
surer, 10 South street; to r. M. Hearty, corner of
Grand and Elm streets; to the advisory committees
in the different wards or to the following named
officers and members.
JAMES Brown, President.
Vice-Presidents.
George Griswold, VIM. b. Crosby,
j. Smylh Rogers, James Boorman.
Edward W. Laight,
JOSEPH Il. COLLINS. Secretary.