New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-21
WISDOM IN CHARITY.

EFFORTS TO DEVISE MEASURES FOR RELIEVING TIE
PREVAILING DEsTTUION WITHOUT FOSTERING
PUBLIC PAUPEBIsM.
An informal meeting of number Of per-
sons with various churches benevolent asso
Citations &c. held yesterday afternoon in Room No.
Cooper Union to consult concerning measures for
hevng the dostituton prevailing throughout this
city of the unusual depression OF business
jackson s. Schultz was called the chair. and Lewis
Jackson chosen secretary. Morris X. Jesup ex-
pressed his belief that organization should
be formed that their efforts should sbe directed
ward strengthening the hands and furthenng the work
OF those now IN existence. An effective way Of
doing this, he thought, would be the collection
Of thorough and accurate information concerning
the extent and Of the suings Of people
A. r. Wetmore, Dorman b. Eaton, and others expressed
their views. great drawback under the various differ
ent societies working independently was stated, how
ever TO be that many professional Deggars in the
habit Of obtaining relief from number OF charitable
organizations under various representations thus de-
frauding worthy people and suggested
that ought to be adopted for concerted
action by which this could be prevented Statements
corning the plans OF operations workings Of several
societies for relieving restitution were gwen, showing
how different forms Of suffering reached and allie
waited by them.- Indscriminate amsglvinG de-
plored by ALL and il held to be much better to give
what desired to some regularly organized society
each case might be carefully Investigated and attended
TO according to actual needs thus preventing in large
the squandering of anything on the unworthy
President ambeer of the Board OF Charities and Cor
rectiOn being called for information, set forth the
rapid growth Of destutOn and the increased demand
upon the commission for help. 1t had yet taken
active measures to afford relief the unusual desti-
tion but a number Of empty buildings belonging to the
city had been apart for their lodnghouses
and these they proposed ut up and 10 give to the
needy lodging for the night with a breakfast.
commissioner Myer Stern said care ought to b.
cised 10 weed out those who made practice OF living
charity IN order that relief might be given only to the
worthy poor thousands Of whom, industrious and
steady were now consequence of loss OF work depend
ent for living help from the charitable. These he
would receive at these houses and give them food and
lodging and the OF keeping their persons clean
and neat
Mr. Eaton deprecated the spirit which led people in
every time of depression, to look to the Government,
almost with feeling OF claim, for assistance He
did MT believe in giving or receiving any moro help
from the Government than was absolutely necessary.
Private charity should aim mainly TO relieve desttu-
tion aud the object OF the Government should be
supplement private organizations, pot TO supplant
Them He was opposed TO the plan OF public lodging
houses and public resorts for relief. and believed
would be better to give help TO persons needing it at
home so that they could remain where they have been
accustomed 10 reside, pItbcINiuB tHelr
homes and their selfrespect instead of making them
public dependents and paupers
Commissioner Stern rejOned that be would be most
happy for part turn every applicant for relief
To private societies. would glad TO close every aims
house and abolish Commission OF Charities and Cor
recon possible. but the demands were 80 great that
private charities alone unable TO meet them, and
the City Government must do something too. The
necessities Of the time too pressing 10 admit OF
DELAY: umed iate assistance what wanted, and
this they must fret grant aud discuss theories after
wards -
Mr.. Pease Of tho Five Points Mission and -Comms-
siOuer Llmbeer supported COmmSsl0ner Sterns views,
stating that the call for this relief was already great
the station houses throughout the city being nightly
Oyercro1 ded with lOdgers while large numbers we're
regularly turned away.
Inc Rev Dr. John Hall agreed largely with Mr. Eaton,
and thought that IN distributing relief care should he
exercised not in any way 10 degrade the recipients bat
he gwen as possible. lie would rather teach and help
people 10 care for themselves. lie believed that the
number OF those who actually deserved ana heed
assistance IN really much smaller imam IA generally
thought there many idle and shltoss persons
who always ready To distress and call for help
and he felt that the most important things 10 40
was to gather complete Information this point Then
lie would arrange for concerted action among tho dhef
Snt charitable organizations, so That eacn COuu so Ear
RS possible, help those who come within Ito particular
province aud In this way exclude such as had no
proper claims any.
Mr. Eaton then fired tho following resolution. which
was unanimously adopted
R's0d That appointed o. which Jackson
Schultz ta DE ohsmAn and Of which the Chairman OF This euas
shall She oler ssh be 10 ssoetAn Tue
subsequent
meeting be called BY said Committee relief o. the poor
coming "a'sf which Oaa .h, Wills ore'0tsE Lssa