New-York tribune., 1875-12-06
4 WORD IN .SR1SON.

Our neighbors in Philadelphia are beginning
TO prepare for the hardships Of the Winter by
an attempt to systematize the spasmodic chart
ties Of individuals, and especially OF house
keepers. No matter how much the large
charitable organizations accomplish, there must
always remain on the one hand great numbers
of the suffering poor who are ashamed 10 peg
and cannot got work, and on the other, q
class of well-t0-do, kindly people, who
would rather give much money than o
little time, and who absolutely will not
examine into any case to test Its claims OF
search for poverty and wrctchedness that ID
not thrust into their notice. They throw thelr
half dollar or dime to the loudest beggar and
have done with it. Especially is this the case
with women whose family cares forbid tbelr
taking part in organized charities and who
have a religious scruple against turning the
door empty from their door. They give
their coat and cloak also, and nine
times out Of ten coat and cloak are soid
for whisky. The plan proposed In Phila-
delpha is that each ward shall establish n de-
pot under the care of good women not easily
imposed on. and that all articles of cast-of
clothing bedding, &C., shall be sent to these
repositories, whence they shall be given out.
1t is the intention of the managers, we be-
leve, to appoint agents who shall solicit the
articles from house to house. lt would he ad-
visable to add to this plan the reception OF
cold victuals, bread, &C., which could be col
lected each evening by wagons, according 10
the custom of certain Catholic organizations III
this or other cities. Any lady knowing OF
families really in need can give them ticket
stating the amount of clothing and food which
hey require.
The plan is good one. The only objection
urged against it aud other systematic modes
of almsgiying is that they are likely to abro-
gate that individual practice OF charity when
was enjoned on us by the Master, and which
blesses not only the givcr but adds to tho git
for the poor man or woman the double value
of kind word and sympathy. The fear Is,
we think, unfounded The householder who
has "A charitable soul and has formed the habit
of looking after her poorer neighbors will not
abandon them, nor be disposed TO soothe her
conscience for neglect because the ward wagon
stops at her door for old clothes and broken
victlals while many other women OF less
energetic habit or more torpid sympathy wouid
not give clothes or food at all, unless applied
to by trustworthy agents.
The sum of the whole matter is that, while
there will be no doubt a great amount OF want
and suffering in this and other cities during
the Winter. there is ample provision to meet
it if the supply could only be brought ac-
curatcly into the right channels. For this
purpose any such scheme as the above Is adj
mirablc as far as it goes. 1t does not meet
IL nE llP
class comprising the most respectable part OF
those who need aid. They are the men and
women. often well educated, and even mem-
bers OF the higher professions, who Will not,
unless driven to starvation, accept charity,
and who are unable to force work to come to
them. Cur columns of Situations Wanted
hint at piteous histories of this sort there are
men bred physicians, lawyers. merchants, who
would gladly take the pay of the bumblest
clerk to keep themselves aud their families
from want. Last Winter every morning
the troops Of able-bOdied mechanics out
of work who besieged the doors for
chance to earn pittance by shovel
ing snow told the same melancholy
story. There should be for the relief of this
class an agency where work could be given
out. Men III business OF "oIheh WIN arc
bonsekeepers should make an effort to find
work, and give it rather than aims. Let them
send card containing the number OF days
or hours for which they require the workman,
and let the agent send the applicants to them.
For such plan as this nothing is needed but
a small Office, an agent, and u book for appli
cations; but such u plan would be u more eff
cient help than half dozen sOup-h0uses.
The Democratic caucus made clean sweep IN
rood many WAYS Its action does not probably