The New York herald., 1871-02-13
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
New York Charities.

To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
His Honor the Mayor, A. Oakley Hall, In an ad.
dress recently delivered at the opening Of charity
fair, said no more appropriate title could be given
the city OF New York than the City OF Charities. We
may well be proud OF this compliment as city; for
within its boundaries are centred every system OF
benevolence. 1t is the great fountain to which i'm
p0verlshed corporations, churches and individuals
direct their steps, sure OF cordial welcome and
generally returning hence with their vessels filed to
overnowing. II Ireland suffers from famine,
provisions sent to her from our shores; II Prus.
sa or France are bleeding ana starving, relief In
every form is cheerfuly voucbsafed. She ls the
prototype Of the white angel Of charity, and her
benevolence covers many dark spot on
her escutche0n. But this great city. In
her unboundea sympathy, looks not always
into the merits OF the objects she benefits,
and consequently her charities are often thought.
lessly dispensed Among the large number OF insti-
tutions In the city OF New York baving Ia view the
relief OF suffering humanity Is the "Children's Aid
Society,"" Whether that society works the amount
OF good 1t claims to do. and is worthy Of the assist
ance 1t receives from the general public, perusal OF
the following may assist the reader IN determining
And this question is somewhat apropos, inasmuch
as the society Is about petitoning Congress to make
an appropriation to assist the 6stenslbiy iaudable
objects Of the Institution. 1 would not attempt to
compare the results Of the various institutions ope
rating directly UPON this Vaefant Class OF chlldren
Though pot Catholic m myself ! know that many
schools OF the Catholic "Brothers.5 And many
Other have been work
pauperism and crime. It must, therefore, ex.
cite smile with many Intelligent persons. when
only, agency that has largely diminished the number
OF arrests and commitments in this city during these
last & ten years. n. sn am reucsan. compelled to con.
created an entirely new class Of Juvenile vagrants
before unknown In this city. The dlsobedient aud
Philadephla, Baltimore and st. Louis, soon began
TO read and hear OF the paradise open 10 young
cent dinners ana unlimited license to enjoy himself
night and day, with s'no questions asked, provided
he pay at ten O'Clock at night the indispensable
former homes Of 100 sharp, evaslve runaways;
stagers' often MAINTAIN their incognto for month:
and years. Under what system can seiI-wlli anu
smuiated s91 and deveoped into He Can
attend the low theatre and gamble IN tne rive
Points" gambling hells DOR ne earns money enougnl
In years he consOrts with the vlest Of the
vie. 1t is at this point that they are prepared to be
brought them here and KEPT them here. They are
at length thoroughly demofalized and without eEs
enervated % them; their health is impaired; their
buoyancy gene and their hard life and miserable
surroundings have chilled their enterprise and
broken them up They are now inclined to enter.
thus society In his annual report says:-
1T Often takes i've or six years to
Rsasaaae Rsas the Ssasns "Ss eussS s system has
given to New York q new order OF dangerous va.
grancy, graduating into that most dreaded portion
OF the communicating thieves, rufilans ana mur.
derers OF the metropolis for the larger number OF
the lodging house, wanderers, once within the
whirlng edoies OF this maelstrom OF New York vice.
seldom escape.
Ffrst-They provide home for the homeless.
H0wp BY demanding OF each the admission fee oi
eighteen cents per night for supper. lodging anu
breakfast. One hunred and fifty boys lodge IN one
large room, where all ideas OF delicacy or modesJ
are overlooked. Every b0Y undresses ia tne pfes-