New-York tribune., 1874-11-12
THE WINTERS CHARITIES.
DIR. JOHN HALLS SUGGESTIONS FOR DIS.
CRIMINATING RELIEF.

FAILURE OF THE CHARITABLE SOCIETIES TO Co
OPERATE.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: You good enough to ask for an expression
of my opinion regarding the prospects of the poor
during the coming Winter and the best methods Of
contributing to their relief.
While do not possess any more knowledge OF this
subject than q working clergyman must needs
acquire appreciate the feeling by which the press
is actuated in calling attention to this painful and
perpexing problem.
Two things have to be thought of-the prevention
of want and the supply of il when it is inevitable
OF these two the former receives least attention,
and ought now 70 be looked at. Ii is true that less
employment will be given in the city this Winter.
in all probability, than in prosperous years But
happily there is little or no special pressure in the
country districts. Take, for example Western New
York Ii would be great surprise to me to find any
inability among the we-to-do farmers of that rich
and rising region to employ labor if it could be had
on reasonable terms. The same remark applies to
much of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. But We
had ample evidence last Winter that hands were
scarce in the farming counties of this state; not
that they could not be sometimes obtained, but that
they would not accept work at the prices farmers
can afford to pay.
Anything therefore, is a benefit that brings to-
gcther the unemployed and the farmers who require
Winter and who, if they do not give large money
wages, give homes and maintenance and usually
value oblgiDg and sensible men who will make
themselves useful, take no airs upon them. and
"have no nonsense A good man. ont of employ
ment in his regular business, would surely be better
IN health comfort and self-respect. in such situa-
ton than in seeking procarious living from charity
in a city. Good sense and good temper VIII enable
almost any to be useful on farm, aud 1t IL an
open question how far the republic" is bound to
provide for those who have such openings and will
not enter them. On the other hand, the majority OF
the farmers of this country. it appears to me- have
more land than they have hands to work, and would
often draw larger return from ten acres adequately
worked than at the present rate from fifteen. La
fact there are large sections of the country where
farming is going out, going out of American
hands, mainly because the occupants will not work
themselves, and cannot get others to do it. They
rush to overcrowded cities, intend TO live by their
brains," and desert one of the safest and surest
forms of industry in the country.
This however. is by the way. Another gain would
be made if tho working could be persuaded to
accept the situation take their share OF the
burdens of the community i'll a manly way, and
if they cannot have S4 a day, work for SO or 81
rather than go into dependence on the common.
wealth. Here and there may be found cases OF
selfshness; but as general thing American EN-
ployers are fair-minded and anxious to do their
utmost for the employed. speak from knowledge
of some parts of Europe manly of those from which
many working persons come, when saying that on
the whole they are better off here than there, and
that nowhere is the human beng, as human be-
ing. better cared for than i'll the United States.
Great and most mschievous efforts have been made
to create deep and black chasTn between employers
and employed. The success of these would terribly
increase the public burdens, inure, first and most.
the working men, and in all directions check and i'm
pede the action of benevolence. The creation and
maintenance of good understanding between those
who require and those who sell labor would go far
TO reduce the want of the Winter.
/ will only add further that owing to various
causes emigration has received serious check;
competition from outside is much reduced; thero Is
q necessary limit to the effects of our money
troubles; there is o counter action of good already
begun; and ii is impossible, ,Oih right state Of moral
feeling and mutual good understanding, that there can n
permanent serious rant to honest labor IN the country
Our growing paupersm in view of our resources in
dcates much moral evil, and seems an inexcusable
rcproach.
Having done all that good sense good temper, and
good feeling can to limit want the next question is
how to provide for it.
1t may be promised that the very worst thing
Residence in the city for the year should be ordi
narly proved to enttle applicants to extraordinary
aid. The same rule should apply in rural counties.
Many persons will throw themselves on public
charity where they are unknown who would not
where they are known. There is no natural reason
why New York. already made an expensive place to
be born H. to live in to die in, should be charged
with the burden of the helpless of all the surround
ing country. True charity has eyes to see as well as
to weep with. She is angel, but there i no evi-
dence that angels lack common sense. OF this wa
may be sure: if we provide the carcass of an open
and discriminating relief the eagles will smell it
from afar and be gathered together.
We have already commissioners for specific de-
partments of relief and all who come Within their
terms should be severely left to them. Ii their ma
chinery be defective, their means insufficient. it
is wiser to mend the machinery or enlarge their
means than to set up and costly apparatus.
1t was hoped last Winter that such cooperation
could be secured among all the societies dispensing
aid TO specific classes as to drive off the unworthy.
in which case the already given would at least
more nearly provide for the worthy. IL might ap-
pear at first sight If all good people had common
interest in this attempt, and none more ihan tho
honest poor themselves for their worst enemy ID
the impoetor who cheats and hardens their true
friends. 1t was attempted to secure-not for
any kind of publicity, but in honorable
conference.-the names of beneiicares. and a
perfectly practicable plan was put in ope-
ration But two of the largest societies, one
denominational and one unsectarian, refused CO.
operation; and the efficacy of such plan depending
on its completeness, and the Bureau having M
power in the premises. reported its results and
awaits DEVELOPMENTS. Nothing that occurred dur
inc the wear changed the views of its members.