The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-10
SYMPATHETIC CITIZENS.
Relief for the Poor.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
have read very carefully the elaborate article
in your issue Of yesterday, together with the edi-
torals upon the same subject, and believe that
they will be the means Of exciting general atten-
ton to the condition OF the destitute classes OF the
city. The wel-to-do public seemed utterly OBJ
nvlous to the fact that restitution, unequalled
even in the hard winter of 1857, was driving the
poor to the verge OF mad riot; and since the
panic every one who possessed 81 seemed to de-
vote all his or her energy to keeping it from falling
into the possession of some one else. DemagOgues
ranted about misery with which they were In no
way acquainted and not only drowned the plants
Of the really suffering. but caused those from whom
aid must be expected to regard them with mere
dulity and aversion. At last, thanks to the HER
ALp this dumb misery has found million tongued
voice, and Its pleadings viii pierce even to the
coolest and most selfish hearts. There can be lit
tie room for DOUBT that now, when the prosperous
are brought lace to face with the terrible picture
of destitution about them, they will contribute
towards the relief OF the sufferers. But the ques-
ttOn OF the best means OF providing for these num-
CRY, homeless and SICK ones remains, and in this
relation would respectfully submit for the con-
sderaton OF the pubic the plan OF operations that
has been adopted with success IN the Filth and
Eighth wards.
We have a volunteer visitor twho ts nearly
always contributor TO the tunds) In every block
This visitor, q lady or gentleman, as the case may
be- looks after the poor Of her or MS neighborhoou
with the faces OF many Of whom they are familiar
ana they at frequent times make the round OF the
tenements, from cellar to garrett Ut may be well
enough to mention here that Tor a month past our
funds have not enabled US to visit family, and
have not even sutficed to provide for applicants at
the doors Of the Guld.) These visitors pro-
vided With printed orders, signed by the Master,
for food for physicians and medicines, that in
SANITY when found III distress, they are provided
with i0od, fire and medical attendance. When NOT
in immediate distress they are furnished with
printed directions for calling at the Office Of the
Guild, should they find themselves in need.
In addition to this printed tickets are left with
wards containing the address, &C., OF the Guild.
others, who upon application at the Guild ONCE
are at once visited at their homes, where II they
are In distress. they are assisted, and If impostors
are detected.
Sixteen years. experience has convinced me that
this Is the most speedy. economical and enectual
way OF afOrding relIef 10 real distress, and 1t can
readily be extended over the entire city, st.
Johns Guild has no office rent or salaries
to pay, and as we buy our groceries
at cost price from wholesale dealers
the charitable can through US furnish them to the
poor at One-half the price the poor would have to
pay were they furnished with the money. Twice
during the past year we have visited 5000 families,
and we have to-day over 1000 iamlies including
5000 children, in absolute want Every one OF
these, by the simple method of the Guild would
receive assistance within lOrty-eight hours from
the moment we have the ability to aid them.
Very truly yours, ALVAH WISWALi, Master.