National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-11-10
Proposed Plan for Coionizing Poor Families.

A meeting ofthe. Labor Exchange was held last
night at No. 10 Vernon Row, with Hon. NJ. G.
Emery in the chair and Mr. l.. S. Emery
secretary. The meeting was well attended
and very interesting. Mr.. l.. s. Emery submitted
the following interesting plan for a pc. menent
work who cannot procure employment
Ask Congress to ineorpoiaiea Bureau of Chart
ties for the District of Columbia which shall have
entire charge of the charities OF the District, and
among other things shall have authority to pur
chase land upon which to locate or colonize poor
persons Of the District who are able and willing to
work, but who are unable to find employment
With view of rendering such persons able 10 sup
port thems elves by honorable labor and relieve the
District from constant aims giving support and the
persons themselves from Il state of entire depend.
ence upon it, with all the evil tendencies incident
Land capable of Il fair production can be DUR
chased within forty miles Of this city for about $40
per acre IN tracts Of from 800 to OJOacrcs tract
of ten acres to each family would be all that is
necessary. There are about 200 families now in this
District which would gladly avail themselves of any
employment within the District and have no means
with which TO purchase amy land, with no
one of means 10 assist them, and are COM
PEELED 10 fall back upon the ordinary chart
ties Of the District for food for fuel aud clothing 10
keep them from peIishiIg. This condition crlpplcs
and dwarfs their energies dcmoralizes them as
citizens and surrounds them with the grayest dan
gers to tie families committed 10 their charge.
Without stopping to phosophize upon the reasons
which have brought some Of them to such a con-
diiion, we are assured that such Il condition exists
and i IS neither economy IN morals or finance TO
permit IL 10 remain. would provide u colony of
not more than illy families within distance OF ten
miles Of another colony to avoid the evil tenden-
ces Of large concentrations. The whole 10 be under
the supervision and strict supcrintendency of the
District Bureau of Charities. l would keep care
ful record, so that when the opportunity is offered
to family to support themselves, nothing but cS
trnOrdinary circumstances would ontitle them 10
the continued charities OF the District. | would
give the settlers opportunity 10 purchase the tract
Oh which they are located, IL they could
and create the pride and inspiration of
property'owning citizen. The 200 families
which would cost S20,000-an amount only which
Congress readily appropriated few years ago with
which TO relieve the suffering poor In one winter
| With growing trees upon the land each man could
build his own house under the direction Of the su.
pcritcndent. Ihcy Would need assistance the
same as now until crops could be raised; but after
that the District would be relieved permanently
The balance Of the dependent ones would be those
! unable, from age, sickness and innrmites to work,
! and must be provided for. lndiscrmute aims Civ
midst. A permanent bureau of charities would
! inaugurate system which would or could be i'm
| proved upon from time To time and the result
would be q dninutiOn of the number upon the
charity list q better care OF the real dependent
ones, nfording all opportunity for work and home s
/ To those who nre able ana willing TO work, ami an
| economical method OF taking care OF the poor
| whom we have with us always. When Congress
| can be convinced that another appropriation is
| needed and desired for sOme permanent system OF
relief il will doubtless make il just readily as
was done few years ago for the temporary relief
| Of our poor.
The plan was fully and favombly discussed all
present agreeing that II was sound practical one
and worthy the attention OF all charitably disposed
| persons, aud Congress in particular. Mr. NJ. Gold
stein offered 500 TO further the object aud substan.
tial aid was promised from the Test Of those present
| The meeting then adjourned.