New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-03
CHARITY'S WATCHFUL CARE.
COOPERATION WITH GENERAL CHARITABLE
WORK

BRYANT THE REV. DIR. WILLIAM ADAMS, THE
REV. DIR. ii. c. POTTER, AND CHIEF-JUsTiCE DAILY
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.
The third annual meeting of the State
Charities Aid Association was held last evoning at Asso
citation Hail. William Cullen Bryant presided. Several
prominent gentlemen occupied the stage, and the body
Of the hall was well filled with attentive audience
long interesting annual report both historicai ana
Statistical, ia character read by William E. Dodge
jr. After several addresses had been delivered, tue
election Of officers held with the following
result: President. Miss Louisa Lee schuyler; First
President Howard Potter; Second Vice-Presdent,
Mrs r. c. Barlow; Third vice-Presdeht, Frederick Law
Olmstead; Treasurer, John c. Brown; Corresponding
Secretary Mrs LOremieulx; Recording Secretary, Miss
L. Mnton. Several minor amendments to the consti-
tuition OF the Society proposed and adopted ana
some members were elected The platform was
occupied by Peter Cooper Rev. Dr. Bellows, Messrs
W. T. Dodge Jr. Howard Potter Miss schuyle: and
others. The meeting called to order by Howard
Potter who conducted Mr.. Bryant to the chair after
making few complimentary remarks. On taking the
chair Mr Bryant spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
Tho object OF this meeting is draw the attention OF
the public the plans of the State Charities Aid Asso
citation. which contemplate reformation OF the present
system OF relieving the wants OF tine These plans
have for their basis the weknOwn fact that charity
dispensed by the State, In order to be wisely admins
tered-that say. with proper regard to economy
and to the comfort of relieved and at the
same time, in such a to avoid gu increase OF
pauperism-reQnires the cooperation Of voluntary
benevolence II public-sprted persons do not Keep
thor eyes upon what is done for the poor, II they do not
visit poorhouses frequently and give their advice
and suggest improvements when they needed it Is
next to certain that there will be mismanagement and
that abuses Will creep In In politics we see the oenen
If publicity and criticism One party out OF power
watches The other. which is i'll power. criticises IL
severely. aud keeps 1t from many bad measures Legs-
latye bodies act ways under the public the news
I'd before
the community holds them TO strict responsibility
They illed by memorials and petitions. and the
proceedings of public meetings. and all this with most
wholesale effect. Ex cutlve officers are brought under
the same wholesome discipline
But IN regard 10 the puolc charities established by
the state Government II Is not So Inc people never
hear OF what going on in the rEouses un some
body is pubic spirited enough to visit them and tel the
story There Is sufficient check upon them until TINS
IA done; nor any method OF holding them 10 que
responsibility. This association Is formed 10 supply
ties appointed 6y law. utility of which IT is not my
purpose denv, but it is central board with no ma
for making that close examination when tne
case requires. The Association winch has called us
INSPECT Inc State charities their immediate neighbor-
hood and repeat their visits frequently give ther ad
vice. their sympathy their aid and create and Keep up
sense Of responsibility in those have OF
the poor. when leads 10 the hest results AZ.
beg To listen with atontl9n 10 me report OF S
Schuyler which Will be read aud VINO speaks on oen1
of ns Of @ REFORM Which IT and
has in part effected, and the good re us when nave
the dsinerosied abors lady, and the ready zeal
which other ladies have cooperaied III TINS great
it's the wisdom aud discretion guides it. You
Will be- fully convinced OF this on hearing the report
At the end Nh. Bryant's address, the annual report
of the Association. prepared by Miss Louisa Lee
schuyl or read by William E. Dodge r.
Below gwen abstract Of the Annual Report OF the
Association:
THE ANNUAL REPORT
The State Charities AID Association organized May
IL 1872 lis objects are twO-f0d: Firs' secure
panper system of the State of NewYOrk and second
improve the system itself by legislative action, based
upon principles comprising the alienation OF suffering
and the reduction of pauperisn. IL proposes TO act
through public opin9n formed III Two ways; FIRST, by
state public institutions Of charities and for the
recipients outdoor relief such committees to be com
poeo without distinction Of sect party. of men and
women who command the respect and confidence OF
their communities through superior a0ihty ana
purity OF character Working IN cooperation with State
and officials earning ther own experience arrlv.
ing at their conclusions. these committees are now
engaged only in rectfyng existing abuses, put III
solving those Second by means Of
Central Association, having its headquarr IN TINS city
study the reports received and base upon
these returns such general measures may tend
Love tho complained Of also to collect ana dssem-
mate the latest and best inform alton upon subjects con-
nected with the different departments of work, de-
rived from recognized authorities OF tins and other
countries; also eventually, the result OF further ex
State Of NewYork. which shall he based upon sounder
principles than the one now ~ force. 49,,
In Nav 1873 the passage OF IA law secured which
empowered the State Board of Charities TO appoint
their resp Give counties. Up TO the present time
have Ogamzed 81 local committees. and we hope 10 ex
State. OF the % active branches OF the Association
tnere are in New-YOrk City three local committees;
for BROOKLYN, Newburgh. Goshen. Auburn. Syracuse,
Rochester COOperstOwn, ithaca Kingston, NewPaltz
Norwich Monticello, Delhi GeDeseO, WATERFOWL, Staten
Island Penn YAM each one; ahd ior estchese r, SUI
solk ana Queens Counties. each one The total number
OF is about 1907 Weulvde our WORK into Tour
departments, represented by four standing Committees
upon Children, Hospitals, Adult ALE bodied. Pauper'
and a recently ADDED Outdoor Relief Committee.
According TO valuable and Interesting report upon
poOr-hOuse lcbIldren, recently made 10y member OF
yOur own Board has given much tine aud earnest
attention the subject the number OF choren remain
inc in connty Door 1874 635; In city aims
houses aud principally in those OF NewYOrk City and
BROOKLYN 35. Total, 1870 Efforts are being made to
remove these children from the pernlc0us lnnIences
that SURROUND them. AT the last general meeting OF the
Association Dr. Elisha Harris narrated the terrible
story OF "aIgaret the mother OF criminals Perhaps
orphan perhaps abandoned ny ner parents, sns pour
little 1rl left admit IN one OF the villages OF the up
per Hudson There no alDsh0use III the place; Tut
she was subject OF outdoor relief probably Receiving
occasionally food aud clothing nom the Ouclds Dut
never educated, and kindly sheltered III
home SIZE became the mother OF long
race Of criminals and ana her progeny has
,nrsed the county ever OF the 623 descendants
this unhappy gir great NUMBER nave Oeeh olOs
inbeclles drunkard luDatics paupers and prostutes
INT 20D of the more vigorous record criminals
that this neglected lttle clid mas tDus
cost 6e county authorities In effects she has
mails aud paupers, besides the untold damage she has
Inflicted property and public morals IL was re,
solved az the meeting that the Visiting Committees OF
me State Charities Aid Association pledge themselves
TO make IL distinct ana definite part OF their work to
secure suitable private families for ali children
OF mind and body now IN lhe pOOrhOuseS, aiulS-
houses and other public institutions o. the State.
reports received by the Hospital committee OF the
Association neglect IN tAe care OF he SICK and
INSANE IA many the pOOrhOuse hospitals ia the STATE.
ami great ignorance regarding hospital construction and
the Jaws sanitary science. Not sulnceht provision
mas vet been mace for The chronic insane, tue State
ASYLUM az OVID beng fun The harmless insane III
many OF the pOOr-hOuses live III cells aud su1er IOm
cold and hunger In regard 10 the notorious Fatoush
Insane Asylum in Kings County the state Commissioner
nm Inpacy In MS last report. gives the sworn testimony
.nl. l.Tln IL Al