Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-11-22

PROTECTION OF THE P00R.--A lew
lines appeared in our local column last
week, in reference to this matter. The
following, which we take from that
valuable paper, the New York Obser-
yer, is to the point, and we hope the
ideas advanced may be carried out in
our own midst, as far as possible:
In many cities there are fancy chart
table societies that coddle a few lazy
people, mostly favorites of some ofthe
managers, bestowing upon them luxu-
ries, and neglecting the masses of really
needy and suffering poor. If the socie-
ties are supported by those who take
pleasure in this kind of charity, it is
all very we'll. and doubtless they are
great comfort to their benefciaries.
But in every church, there is, or ought
to be something better than this, a
working society, providing clothing for
the poor, visiting them in their dwell
ings, supplying food when it is needed
and fuel too, and such societies should
be abundantly furnished with money
and goods, that they may be able to
spread wider and deeper their blessed
influences. Giving at the door to beg
CARS is positive evil. In 80 cases out
of every 100 such beggars are impu-
dent swindlers, systematic impostors
and thieves As their intinerant men,
delaney is FORBIDDEN by law, and the
State makes provision by tax for the
support of the poor, it is right and ex-
pedient to refuse to give to street beg
CARS, and to those who come to the
door asking aims.
But there are societies in all our
large cities, and there should be in
every large town, to make systematic
examination into the wants of the des-
titute; and to such societies the case
of every applicant should be referred.
1t is a good thing for every family to
have some specific case to look after ;
case which has been carefully looked
into and adopted as beneficiary, and
| the more of such cases a wealthy
family is caring for the better. 1t
brings Christian sympathy to bear d.
rectly upon human suffering, and so
the giver and receiver are blessed. The
children of household should be en-
couraged to do good to such poor per-
sons; to deny themselves for the sake
of giving TO the needy.
And when the rich have more to
give than they can profitably bestow
upon cases personally known, it is bet
ter to employ such society as the As
ISOLATION for the Amelioration of the
! Condition of the Poor. In this city
the Society has its headquarters in the
Bible House, Astor Place, and r. NJ.
Hartley, ESQ.,, is its secretary and man
ager. Whoever gives his money to
that society may lie down with good
conscience at night, knowing that he
has done his duty to the poor; for his
money will be faithfully, judiciously,
and efficiently employed SO as to
do the most good. IT will not
be scattered wildly and loosely on soup
houses or free lunches, which are the
greatest nurseries of pauperism, pan
ders to idleness, and premiums to beg
CARS. But the money will go in the
shape of food and clothing; and fuel,
to the industrious and deserving, will
ing to work, but unable to find work to
do, or by sickness made unable TO do it.
If there is no such society in your
city or village, form one, or at least a
comittee of inquiry, district the whole
neighborhood, and explore every house,
hut, and howell where poverty may hide,
and see to it that no human being suf-
fers for want, while there is enough and
to spare at your command.
This work must be done thoroughly,
all over the country, North and South,
East and West, and done now. The
poor we have with us always, and now
is the time to do them good.