, 1873-12-25
MR, HOFFMAN'S REM EDY,

The debate Oh Tuesday, boLween the Mayor
and Common Council au1 tho Committee rep-
rssontiug the unemployed work1ngmon, WAS not
at all encouraging. Tho Mayor and Aldermen
very candidly md truthfully represented the i'll
ability Of tue city to give employment to any
porson. This did not aeom to satisfy the ropro-
hontativos Of tho Monday night procossion,-
MossrB. McAuliro, Hoffman, and stohl. These
geutlomen declined ut first to 1iston to sug-
gcstions that relief for tho destitute should DO
obtained from tho Relief and Aid Society. Mr..
Hoffman, however. modified his opposition 40
far aB to propose tint that Society DO compelled
to pay over it's funds to the city, and TINT tho
money bo distributed by the Aldermen to tho
men out Of employment. The Mayor, too. WAS
weak enough to express tho opinion that tho
Aldermen were tho best persons to distribute
the Relief money.
1t is to be hoped that, whatever plan Of relief
may be adopted, tho Aldermen will not be
selected as agents for distribution. Their very
position disqualdes them for any such business.
They, Of all others. should DO excluded
from participation IN the distribution OF tho
public charity. As d cIaag, thoy are untitled
by habit association, aud official position for I'll
honost, faithful, and equitable administration Of
any such responsible duty. Some Ut those Al
dermen represent as many as 10000 persons. or
these, small fraction, perhaps, stand iu need Of
| temporary relief. though tho number OF poor
persons, md Of thoao to whom rolief would be
! acceptable. may DO twonty times the number Of
those nctually suffering. These people look
upon tho Alderman as their servant, aud le fona
| himself to bo such. How can ho put them at
| dolianco, and refuse to furnish other peoples
money to thogo Of hln constituents who may do
maud Of him. AND how long would the money
list
Tho destitution and auHering Ia mainly con-
tinod to fow districts. Competent and trust
worthy persons residing in these noighborhooda
can bo found, who will divide these districts into
smaller divisions, aud each personally visit and
mako himHoN acquainted with all cases Of act,l-
al diBtross, aud at the sanlo tio constitute him.
aelf au employment agout. In this way there
will bo no failure in rcaching every cnse do.
lnanllng relief, nono will bo overlooked, impos.
tors will DO turnod aside. and mendicauoy as q
trade will not be encouraged. The means Of 70.
liaf In tho banda Of the Society will not be
wasted, aud all expenditures will go to propo,
| objects.
Tho public will probably rate Mr. Hoffman as
a domagoguc and tlrobrand. particularly Us he
knew full woll that tho demand presented b,
him to tho Council on Monday night was an ial
possible ono; that it was not In tho power Of tllt
r Council to grant it, and tlat 1t was at variance
with tho theory Of Our government and lnwa
To tho extent that llo was responsible for aueh
demand, ho WAS guilty Of decoiying tho really
honest people who adopted his counsel. Whils
we do not underrato tho extent Of deBtitutiol
+ resulting from tic discharge OF 30 many work
ing people. 1t should bo remembered TINT to
largo extent 1t Ia temporary; that, of the man.
Embellishments which closed so,no months ago
several hayo already resumed, and TINT IN d shor
tuae all will be In full operation again. Wha
Ia needed IL roief for tho Destitute until suol
timo rs work III resumed some fuel, olothiug, ant
food to euablo tho destitute to bridge oyos th'
this boueflcont work tho agency and tho 1nean'
are at hand, anil that man Ia tho truo friend o
the poor who will 500 to II that the money ayaila
bic Is expended In tho most iudioloua mud eco
nomloal manuor. Their worat enemy Is tho on'
who would adept policy that would rasult Il