Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-09-21

valuable paper on this subject was read
hs Prot. Francis Wayiand, of New Haven,
at the conference OF charities at Saratoga
last week. lie considered three methods of
such relief. First. with funds raised by tax
alton and distributed by paid officials Se,
ond. with funds raised BY taxation and di.-
tributed by municipal board, in accord
ance with the recommendation OF body OF
unpaid supervisors selected from reputable
citizens. (This is now well known as the
Elberfeld system Of outdoor relief, having
been IN active operation in the German
town oil that name. near Dusseldorf, since
1859. Third, with funds raised by yolun-
tary contributions. and distributed by un
paid agents.
Prof. Wayland gave preference to the
latter method. The first two encourage
"the perniciuus idea that the State is bound
to support is idle poor" and are liable to
injurious influences from political or person.
al iay1ri.ism. Of the third, or voluntary
system. he says:
1t needs no argument to demonstrate that
the unpaid visitor, distributing funds rails,
in this way, will be free from many OF the
temptations. and will naturally avoid many
OF the errors to which the visitor under the
first and second methods is inevitably liable
lie volunteers for the se,ice because he il
impressed with ITS Importance, and cor
scious Of his duty to the community in
which he resides. He is accepted b.
l.. Ill. l.. L
worthy and unselhsh. Ii he perseveres in
his undertaking, it is because be is convinc-
ed by experience thar he is engaged In a
wise and beneficial enterprise, conducted
according to sound principles of aims
giving In word. the voluntary visitor
under this system. fully aware that he is
simply steward to disburse with inteli-
gent and careful discrimination funds which
have been contributed by charitable citizens.
will realize the sacredness of the trust COM
United to his charge, will perform with
ever-increasing fidelity the duties which he
has assumed and will daily gain practical
wisdom by varied experience often de
Dressing to the very edge OF despair, but, in
the long run, leading to the conviction that
there is no more useful field of labor for the
enlig htened philanthropist than the judi
ciOus relief Of the deserving poor.
III may be well. however, before dismissing
the subject. 20 indicate some of the points
which should always be kept in mind by
those who undertake to render outdoor RI
liei under what may be called the voluntary
system.
FIRST, it should be remembered that mere
aims giving is no charity. True charity, in
the form of outdoor relief, is Just that
amount and kind of assistance which is best
adanfed IN tb.. ntronps,a aou nE - mn r,,o,,
lar applicant. All alms-giving which does
not keep this principle constantly in view is
ill-advised and Injurious.
Second, The case in which relief is al
forded must BIO under careful and constant
supervision and the relief must be with
drawn the very moment it ceases II be nee
essary.
Third, Every effort must be made to pre-
serve unbroken the family status of the per
sons assisted where this can be done with
out endangering the morals OF diminishing
the desire to be sell-supporting on the part
OF the recipients.
Fourth, lille it is highly desirable that
the expenses vi alms-glyIng under this sys-
TEN should be reduced to the lowest practic-
able point. it seems essential that ,here
should be some experienced and competent
supervising authority, receiving adeau ate
salary and deyoting all his time to the
work.
Fifth. The area OF territory liz which
outdoor relief Is to be administered, il too
large to be wisely committed to the control
Of a single charitable organization. should
be 50 exactly sppOrtiOned to different re-
Iieving societies as to render it impossible
Tor any family to receive assistance from
more than one source