The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-08
CHARITY AND CORRECTION.
A PLEA FOR THEIR sEPARATIoN-THE PROPER
POLICY TOWARD THE POOR

A PLEA FOR THEIR sEPARATIoN-THE PROPER
POLICY TOWARD THE POOR.
Al a meeting OF the Medco-Legal Society held
last evening q number OF important subjects were
discussed. Among the subjects brought up was that
Of the health OF children In tho puolic schooa 1,
was shown, by reference to a report OF the
examination Of the pupils In the Normal Col.
lego that near -sightedness is on the increase. A
paper was read before the society In which Il was
stated that, view OF the Importance to tho puolc
health as we'll to the health Of tho pupils ip the
public schools, number Of our most prominent medi-
cal men rnestly recommend tho passage Of tho bill
introduced by Hon. james W. Gerard providing for
the sanitary inspection and supervsion OF common
schools In the city Of Now York.
After the regular order OF business disposed or
the President introduced DR.. Samuel A. Raborg who
proceeded read the paper of the evoning-.'Is tho
Connection Of Charity and Correction in tho City OF
Now York Beneficial? What Should DO tho Policy of
a Great City Towards Its POOR" The Doctor began
his discourse by announcing that certain
OF the people, from causes, unable pro-
vide for themselves These had to DO provided for
and protected Gong back to tho history OF the carl-
charter granted to the city, he pointed out how tho
treatment OF both criminals and paupers under tho
one head OF charities and CORRECTION had It's
origin The practices pursued in olden times
was brought down, with few notifications, to tho
present davis The deserving poor tho unfortupnto
aud those who, from force Of circumstances arc
driven TO beg for bread or seek public shelter are
placed side by side with the vicious aud the dishonest
II is time that protest DO entered against continu
aucc OF such system. In the cause oil humanity and
OF political economy an alteration should be made.
Previous to 1881 reports were made OF the proceed
pgs OF tho associations or commissions who bad tho
OF tho criminals and paupcrs oil the city. Moses
g. Leonard was commissioner OF the alnshouse In
1s4s
EARLY PRACTICES.
The first report OF the Commissioners OF Charities and
Cor vas made 1861. Under MAyOr Hall.
1870 the Board was reorganzc and several changes
made In 1915 still other alterations were effected IN
tho Board; but effort was made TO bring about q
reformation which in the estimate OF tie speaker
which deserves tho closest attention on the Of
every thinking man, and that Ia the separation OF
tho deserving poor from tho criminal classes
DR.. Rabod described night scenes no Witnessed
In some OF the police satious Close, miseraby vcnti-
lated rooms packed with every class OF uniortuna cs
who sought "a nights shelter. Vagabonds, tramps and
thieves we're huddled together with honest and de-
serving people, Who were forced By poverty TO sock
the shelter OF root This OF things ought NOT TO
continue. over millions Of dollars spent last
year for the support paupcr and criminal classes
DR. Raboi thought that the only way TO meet tho
difficulty was by the appointment OF u Commissioner
Charities to have tho entire charge Of the poor and
let the CRIMINALS go over To the cndcr mcrccs Ut the
police The Commissioner ought to have tho assist
ance Of number OF gentlemen irrespective Of creed
party To advise and consult with, and the speaker
had no doubt that there many phanthropic indI-
viduals In the city VINO would willingly serve In
good a cause and keep politicians away.
The influence OF politics on the administration OF
affairs at Bellevue Hospital might servo as an ius,rs
ton Of It's bancfu effects. Blot politics from our
charities How is II possible 10 expect rich
and charitaply disposed people to give Of their
bounty If they know that the practices pur.
sued by politicians would characterize tho conduct
OF institutions devoted to charitable purposes Tho
speaker thought there great deal OF
charity The creation OF the onico OF Commissioner
OF Charity, whose duty " would be TO ascertain
were deserving OF relief, would correct many owls.
Tramps, Idle and evil disposed persons should be sepa
rated from those who are inclined to earn living
honestly Put all such IN the work and com pol
them 10 earn tnctr llvtuk hclp aud
deserving poor TO obtain means TO improve their con-
dillon.