The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07
PECULIAR" PHILANTHROPY.

Nine. Roland, who worshipped freedom, was
compelled to exclaim 40 Liberty Liberty, what
crimes are committed in thy name ~ and, in like
manner, those whose business duties incna-
tions lead them to investigate the UaodlS Operandi
or charity" at the present day in the city OF New
York are forced to see that the name of this
blessed virtue is used too often as cloak for
imposture and fraud.
There are also a number OF cases in this city of
so-called 'charitable institutions, which, though
not as yet, perhaps proved to be positively fraud
ulent, are yet surrounded by such suspicious cir.
cumstances as to render their ''charity" doubt
full and to require that the institutions themselves
receive thorough investigation, that either their
innocence may be indicated or their fraud ex.
posed.
There Is a mana self-constltuted solicitor COL
lector and distributor OF 'charityr-in this city
who has for some time past been watched by
those interested In the proper management OF our
charities, and who has received for some time
past the especial attention OF several OF the
HERALD representatives. He IL either mono
maniac an enthusiast, partially crazed fanatic
or half saint half martyr, 'of whom the world is
not worthy" OF he is first class fraud and Won
derfully brazen miser and impostor. Most Of your
readers will probably incline to the latter opinion
but in order that he may have the benefit OF the
Otner suppOsltiouS ana tnat no injustice may
be done to the individual while the public is en-
abled to decide for Itself, the facts regarding this
man are simply given herewith, without comment.
His name Is T. Belin Laval, and he in his own sole
person constitutes all that there is OF
THE BLEEcKER MISSION.
or this Blocker Mission he is President: he IL
also Its Secretary; he is likewise its Treasurer:
above all, he takes especial care to inform the
public that he dis the only authorized collector
In addition TO all this he Is the chaplain OF the
Blocker Mission, and occasionally acts as its sur
geon. He Is "the Acting Board of Directors Of
the mission; he is also the committee on Sup
plies" In short the Blocker Mission begins con-
tinues and ends in the person Of 7. Beiin Laval
Now, all this seems like q very ordinary case Of
humbug, especially T. Belin Laval makes no
secret OF the fact that he makes his mission 'self
supporting" and, as rule, takes the cost OF his
living out OF the proceeds OF his charitable colec
lions. But the extraordinary part of the AFFAIR Is
that whereas most Of the men Of his stamp make
good living out OF their dupes and feed well aud
dress elegantly and surround themselves with the
comforts OF life, this j. Bein Laval absolutely ex-
istsfor he can hardly be said to live at all-in the
most abject poverty, In almost absolute wretched-
ness.
The "offce" of the Bieecker Mission Is located
On the top, or hfth, door Of q tenement house on
the east side--room No. is, No. 12o Norfolk street.
1t Is q six feet by nine apartment, the entire
furniture consisting Of rag carpet and one chair
In a closet In this "of1ceu hangs what Mr.. T.
Benn Laval says Is his "surpnce," for Mr.. Laval
claims 70 be an 'unonnciai' minister Of che Prot