New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-04
1yTslL1GHyr AND SYSTEMATIC CLARITY
SOCIETIES GIVING oUT-D0OR REI IEF REQUESTED TO
ORGANIzE By COMMISSIONERS OF TIE STATE
RoGRD or CHARITIES.

SOCIETIES GIVING OUTDOOR REI IEF REQUESTED TO
ORGANIZE BY COMMISSIONERS OF TIE STATE
BOARD OF CHARITIES
IN the RdnOr Of The Tribune:
SIR: The probability that the coming Win
fer Mil be one OF great suffering among the poor OF tns
cty in consequence tire continued depression OF tho
commercial aud manufacturing interests ana The iact
tnat no adequate provision has been made FOR DEALING
with tho difficulties OF outdoor relief render II
The duty Of the Commissioners OF The State
Roard OF Charities to urge upon those agencies
which By name and profession are dedicated 10
the special task OF sidn. the poor IN th,r own homes
the necessity Of immediate action TIE fields OF the CITY
Commissioners OF Charities and the State Commissions
ers of Emcrat on are defined, while In addition the
propriaon Of the Excise Fund IN al OF the poor Is de
termined by law, and may be considered au adequate
supplement to any deficiency which might otherwise eN
st Moreover the number OF charitable societies IN
cludug churches and missions is very large, and the
amount OF money annually subscribed great that from
tina source alone there woud probably be s1fciont'
wisely distributed, to meet all he requirements OF the
distressed.
Anv pon.fulAlment OF the legal and moral duties
which the CITY Of Sey.Yoik owes TO her poorer inhab
,ents ia certainly not due 10 want OK uOeTay There Is
money enough and 70 spare the dlhc ty experienced
it, aling with outdoor relief must therefore be caused
by the system OF distribution by tho mode or operation
NJ the several societies to which the expenditure OF that
money is Entrusted II Is 20 IDS point 'n"t We esceS
wish TO direct attention.
Most OF he charitable societies haycbeen established to
deal with special forms OF distress and suffering These
ara limited IN their Held, and objects have no concerted
mode Of action and, ~ rIle, know but little OF each
tbers work The societies which relieve eases or tenn
rorry di,trss whether at the homes u the applicant
orothcrwise are equally Ignorant Of one anothers ae-
finn The neli OF each bay, aud frequently does, in
ude the whole city that there are often several ds'
tpc systems Of relief coeX,tng in the same area II Is
hvtou, that the mere waste ~ time Of labor and OF
mouey consequent upon tins ant OF cooperation must
h. VeTy great and 10 Is equally obvious that waite some
moor nies may not be visited ~ All, others wa re-
,ivr relief from several sources. tbs opportunities loi
~ mi are rlch Increased; habits Of begging ard dc
rrndcnc upon others introduced and t"sierei no
rproV,lnent OF homes, % domestic morals, OF helth
AMI comfort cam De- expected and ut n.te sympathy
Ief,gecn man and man be created. The amour; Oh
,eef Given by each society IS sufficient 10 destroy SELF
re.c, while 10 4, generally not enough 10 fuppy the
want. the family, and thps innimun OF Eoou Win u
! ,nat mum 81 eva II too frequently TIE resale.
mo above is merely rccapUation OF what ha7 Deen
stated before again and again, MA tlt sole rem 10y we
can suggest {, that already recommended bN Vie bureau
az Charities, aud partaiy applied Ia thc "ttrlp. 20
f-i, tnc.irr the iicrent charitable societies ot NcN-
Ycr. under the name OF the Board OF lmtcd Chattc3
Tns wa. sep n the Igut direction, AMI though IN az
lam lt moi vet been carried ar enough, ne success a
.,ndug what little has been done sufficient 10 prove
tbut IL WAS 80. This encourages us % believe that
closar cooperation among tire charitable societies NOuid
beneficial results would thcreup0h % EeaLed ioul tAs