The Portland daily press., 1880-03-13
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
Meeting for Organization Last Evening.

~ HieStllS Vi tHe boaru Oh N1SltofS was held
at the Common Council room last evening, for
organization and to listen to an explanation of
their duties.
On motion of Hon. j. 7. McCobb, Rev. W.
7. Phelan was chosen temporary chairman
and Philip L. Turner secretary.
Mr.. j. P. Baxter, president of the associa-
ton, was then called on and gave the follow
ing very interesting explanation of the visit
or's duties.
The present meeting was called for the pur-
pose of explaining the plan of Associated Char
tiles which has lately been organized in this
city, and to mark out the work which is neces
sary to be done in oIer to give the Portland
society that efficiency which has characterized
similar organizations in other cities. For
many years the charitable societies of this CITY
and private persons charitably disposed, have
felt the need of cooperation, not only To AID
them IN lntelligently administering help to the
deserving poor, but, as we'll, in exposing the
frauds OF the undeserving. The present socie-
ty, therefore, was organized; board of direc-
TORS cnoseh' representing the various charitable
organizations of the city and the churches. 1t
is the intention to have every charitable socie-
ty and ecefy church represented in the board
of management. If any have been overlooked
it is hoped that they will apply for representa-
ton Thus far there has been a most cheering
land, as an organization, has been successfully
launched. 1t now depends upon us, whether
its voyage be profitable or not
Tins Is not an dlinSgiUing association, but its
junction is first, to gather accurate information
concerning the condition of applicants for
charity. which may be preserved for the use of
charitable organizations and private persons
desiring such information, and, second, to adj
vlse lind employment for and encourage the
poor to sustain themselves, that they may. at
last, be graduated from the rolls of charity,
and become independent and useful citizens.
To bring this desirable condition of things
about it has been deemed necessary to select
from our many charitable citizens, board of
effective acorkers, whose hearts are warm for
doing good to those less favored than them
selves, and hence you have been selected to
lend your aid in this noble undertaking. In
order to make the work light and pleasant for
every one, the city has been divided into forty
districts two persons being appointed in each
as visitors. 1t is desirable that visitors should
report to the secretary such persons needing
help as they may know in their respective dis
tricts, with such particulars concerning their
condition as they may be able 10 furnish. AS
general thing, however, the initiative will
come from the secretary, and this leads to an
explanation of the practical working of part
OF our plan. We will suppose that John Doe
applies to Richard Roe for aid. Not knowing
whether Doe is proper person to aid or not,
Roe addresses the secretary of the Associated
Charities a postal, or calls at his office,
giving Does residence and asking for
information. If the secretary does not
already have record of Does case, he imme-
diately addresses one Of the visitors in the
district where Doe resides, asking various
questions regarding him, and the visitor is
expected to investigate the case, and forward,
on blank furnished for the purpose, such
particulars as may be cleaned. This informa-
ton the secretary records, and furnishes Rich
ard Roe with it. Now the advantage of this
is apparent. Does name is recorded at the Of
ice, and particulars concerning him are ready
for any other enquirer who wishes to learn
them. These particulars cover, his habits,
mode OF life, number of his family, and
sources of aid, if he has been in the habit of
receiving aid from societies or individuals. If
this is concealed, it is brought to light in
this way in spite of his efforts to conceal the
truth; for every charitable association in the
city rer orts to the secretary of the Associated
Charities, monthly, the names of the persons
they aid, and the kind and amount of aid
furnished, so that whatever has been furnished
Doe appears opposite his name. Private indi-
viduals are also desired to-, and likely will, fur
niSh reports of the names, at least, of those
they aid. BY these means, in a short time,
complete record of all the poor who subsist or
partially subsist on charity in the city, will be
formed, so that the secretary can at once give
a member OF the association full and definite
particulars respecting their conditions and
wants. 1t is also to be hoped that a work
room may he opened Ey some of the members
of this society, by which women may be able
to earn something by sewing, and habits of in
dustry and thrift encouraged. L can do no
better in closing than to give you the following
suggestions, which have been made by one
well versed in such work. to the visitors Of the
Boston society:
1t is not best to give money or its equivalent to
the families you VISIT
a. Because the many relief-giving societies of
Portland are able and willing to relieve the deserv
ing poor.
(2) And because the object which you have in
view us visitor to the poor is to time strength
and your best endeavor to raise them to self-de-
pendence and thrift.
You aim to graduate them from the rolls of relief
and also prevent their children from falling into
need.
If they cannot live without aims, either because
too DID, ill or feeble or from any other good cause
you encourage them to feel that to person they
can turn for counsel as from friend without being
supposed to ask reliefand thus preserve their self
respect.
As visitor of this society do not give money or
its equivalent unles 10 case of absolute and imme-
date suffering.
Attend your conference meetings if possible and
report cases which have been under your observa-
ton. Ii you cannot attend send report in writ
ing.
Do not your position for any purpose of pros
elytism.
Always approach family in every call, and espe-
ciay in your first visit, with delicacy tact respect
and sympathy.
to any person not charitaby interested in the case
the source of information given you through this
society," and the information itself, when unfavor-
able, should be used with great discretion.
Do not show your visitors blank nor take notes
in the homes of the poor.
Do not announce yourself a visitor of any
charitable organization. but asia friend or neighbor
anxious to know those among whom you live, or, if
possible, as one bringing work, or desiring to aid
them to find work.
Study the family and the causes of their need
Insist ON temperance industry, thrift and neatness
Encourage progress. Aid them to make their homes
more tasteful and attractive The gift of growing
plant, or coored pri1t for their walls, the loan
OF book may raise their standard of life in SIM
little comfort will not be amss.
Learn what are the family's means of support
and from what charities thay receive relief. Make
possible in a trade where skill is well paid Let
them come to your house occasionally to report pro-
gress. Interest their employer.
Teach in season and out of season, that if a man
will resolve to be INDUSTRIOUS and will become a
skilled workman in his trade, woman in hers
or boys and girls in theirs, steadier and better paid
employment can be procured.
Remember, that While kindly impulse may
prompt you to give relief your duty to the family
requires you to consider their moral good, and not
the qualification of your own emotions. Relief is
easy to give. Permanent improvement is slew and
hard to effect Let no boy or girl grow up a pau
per.
In all where distress is due to thriftlessness
Incidence or bamable ineficency visitors must re-
member that gratuitous relief is not only prohibit
hurtfu fostering these very faults lessening self
respect rnd self-reance, and njuring character.
Suggest work. Find it, if possible. Insist ON it;
but beware not to let them rely on your finding it
for them.
So far as gratutous relief is needed, it must
come from eXistidg relef-giving societies. Do not
encourage families receiving relief to ask or expect
more than the experienced visitors of these other
societies are giving. Aim to make it le?s, and as
soon as may be, none at all.
A visitor will do harm if he makes the poor dis
contented. Their lot is hard enough Do not make
1t harder Close rooms, poor fare, thin clothes they
are too often accustomed to.
Ihere is one great want in the. life of the poor
Which we do not sufficiently understandable want
OF healthful amusement. Crowded rooms and GEN
eral discomfort drive many man to the rum-shop,
and young persons to unhealthy entertainments.
Pleasant occasions might be arranged by the visit
ors, which should give their poor friends somethin
to look forward to from one week or month to an
other. A good laugh is good thing. Help them
to forget for a time their hard lot
Visions may often wisely influence wife to keep
her rooms and children neat, that her husband NAV
enjoy staying at home more.
Wherever family-especally with children-is
in foul tenement or foul neighborhood, visitor
can perhaps do nothing wise to urge (and add
them to move into healthy rooms in a good street.
Inexperienced visitors are often-very often-de-
ceved, especially if the poor think they have any
thing to gain. The confession of an experienced
visitor is always how often he has been deceived.
Be careful, but do not show suspicion
Before you visit family it will be wise to see or
given them relief
Inflammation concerpiuo tho n;snaneor, ,c;