The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-24

The Board Of Managers Of this institution
held their last meeting on Saturday evening.
April 2lst to hear the report of the Treasurer,
ana TO transact such business as was necessary
In closing its affairs for the season.
owing to the great fire, but little more than
one-third as much money was collected the
last season, as there was the year previous,
while the calls have been so great as to make
the expenditures more than the receipts Aid
was given to seventy-fiv families.
The importan5 position which this Society
holds in the community, the good which it
does, and the mischief which it prevents,
makes it proper to keep it before the public,so
that if possible its Importance may be compre-
hended. The Board of Managers see its i'm
portance, and they wish the people to give it
all that support which it needs.
Acting on the suggestion made at our last
meeting, the agent would state what are, and
what are not, the objects of the institution.
l. 1t is not intended to prevent the exercise
of private charity towards those persons with
whom we are acquainted
2. 1t is not instituted to give the privilege OF
sending people to the agent for relief, who con-
tribute nothing to its funds. Nowhere IS there
none deposited 'AH--
B. Nor is it intended to support people in in
dOlence. 1t helps those who are trying to help
themselves. When they will not they must
become paupers.
4. 1t is not designed to relieve churches of
the christian obligation Of supporting their
own poor
8. Nor to relieve kindred from their relative
obligations. But,
1. To help those who by misfortune find
a1a, al e.
porary relief
=. 10 render assistance to worthy class of
persons who are trying to support themselves,
but from infirmity, age, or large family, are
hardly equal to the task of doing 80.
3. To give instruction to the sufferer how to
find relief If possible, whether he be q stran-
ger, citizen, or an orphan child.
Last, but not least, to keep a vigilant eye on
street-begging, and, If possible, entirely pre-
vent it,
There is class of persons in thia. a, we'll M
in every other city, who will sponge their hy-
Ing out of others by begging, instead of get
ting support by honest toll. The spirit OF
begging is the spirit of theft. Beggars by
| procession will steal when they can. They are
very crafty, seem to have little conscience, do
not blush when lying, will almost make you
think they are telling the truth when uttering
nothing but falsehoods, can command their
| tears a. come at will, know soon as a stran-
ger takes up his abode In this city. and will
stranger gets his eyes open; yet this beggar has
a dread of exposure, and for this reason has a
great aversion to being sent TO the Provident
Association. =. =. .'...s = ..... 'lr = 80
Many kind hearted people, when these ap.
parentiy innocent, suffering, plausible, fearful
persons come TO their doors with their tales OF
distress, can hardly believe they are lying, yet
in almost every instance they are lying. To
prove it, give one OF them reference card, and
see how quick the voice and manner will
change. Furnish all that come, with cards,
and assure Them that, ii deserving, they will
| obtain relief, and not more than one out OF
ten will go to the agent for help. GuUla9.
If all who are able would contribute to the
| funds of this association, and furnish them.
selves with reference cards, they would spare
themselves the painful thought, that, in turn
ing person away from their doors, they are
possibly turning one who is suffering and wOr-
thy of aid, they would turn over to the agen!
who will help if needed, not turn such away
In the event of giving as the people should
the Office could be kept open all the year
round, and an arrangement could be made sc
| that the case Of no applicant for aid need BIZ
neglected single day. 3ueuL RE sst8
| Street beggars are curse to any commune
| ty. Being nOn-producers, they render no ser
tvice to the public, and are deceivers and baine
deceived. Our city is comparatively free from
them now, and this is owing in a great meas
ure to the check which this association has pu
Shall it be sustained in its praiseworthy
work? The Board of Managers feel confden
that when the public fully realize the impor
| lance of this association in our city, tina
means will not be wanting to meet all it's re
80 a5-.1esaO General Agent.