New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-21
CHARITY ON A WISE PLAN.

Tkore il so much coed sense and practical
wisdom in bencvol,nce OF Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson
the we-known philanthropist of this city, that it may
be OF interest to readers to give conversation with
her which was in fact continuation of the talk reported
in TIE TRIBUNE eone time ago. At tic time OF the
great Boston fire MIS-. Thompson, then in ewYork
was urged by her friends to telegraph to Boston
where her estates lie TO learn the extent OF her losses
Instead tile she the following message to her
attorney: Are any Of my tenants suffering II SO pro
them. This incident illustrates her character
impalses. Her dearly bought experience, her dis
eliminating intelligence and her perscvering industry in
doing good have placed her the head OF several
notable undertakings though without any thought on
her part OF gaining fame for herself
When the writer OF the article recently given III
TIE TRIBUNE presented herself to Mrs. Thompson
for the second she found her engaged in the
unr0ma;itic wor; -; Gurniug stockings Is this OF
your works Of charity :" asAed tic writer.
Eyes, this Is one k,nd-tlat which begins at homc,"
replied Mrs. ToEpsoa. bat do you know, WAS Just
aekiug myself What l. charity and had almost
10 the conclusion that like thousands of
others who chcerfully give realize little
the true and fun significance OF the Pat does
OF the sacred Of his vote when he sells it
drink OF The fact is give without thinking, al
though we sometimes think without giving. We
TO give and means plau7iby presented
terpriscs and schemes OF practical benefit anyone
except to those who originated them and sometimes not
even to them Hence comes ECw that have to stand
guard it were, myself, exercising the most
ful discrimination, in order that | may not in
nocently become the promoter Of something to
injure rather than to benefit mankind Most of the for
tunes of to-day accumulated by Industrious frugal
men, who worked night and day in order that their lie
scendants might hold honorable positions in society
joy lie and bcqucathc TO those who should follow them
like distinctions cannot understand how is that
men, in way superior to thousands OF others
and do accumulate large fortunes while
so many of equal ability continually
knocking at the doors of those who give.
think, however, there are by far too many SHIFT
;,..,.
too many men and women who do not seek honest labor
but seek to avoid it, who could if they would
than enough for the common necessities of life. But
they to lead an idle dreamy existence. waiting for
something to up The fact Is, women are not
thorough and men are too apt to be indifferent Our
young people 20 be accomplished in about cents
worth of everything useless and more than cents
worth of the useful"
NECESSITY OF DISCRIMINATION II CHARITY.
Many men and women," continued Mrs Thompson
'whO apply for help with much elegance
IN their nendacity that am puzzled sometimes know
In what terms may decline the honor of giving.
really embarrassing TO have fnelydressed gentleman
present carefully elaborated description OF i'm
TOrtant scientific discovery umbug and be Obliged to
sit and listen TO hiz elaborate nonsense, and at
last forced to wound his tender feelings
by saying o. the articles the ingenuties the tricks
@ shas ana frauds that are used to get something for
noInlG, once open your purse, bnt drop one tear of
Sr is anu gu have either pen'oner or an enemy
Now, after thirty years Of constant giving Of time
money aud thoughts those ia high places as well as in
low. to those who only . loan IA wen as to those
who ask gift have to the notifying conclusion
nat the gyins OF money cxcep in rare cne1 posi-
~ Sn h W manly. We need ana nope some
science that snail deal with the rather than with
to try to mitigate existing evils and wi'ov ,E
cause. Year after year notwithstanding the repeated
vsatons and desolations of the yellow fever little or
nothng was done in thorough, practical way ascer
tain the cause Of these recrIences til 1873, when
saa@y aS Wes a se pre6I Of Of great SaSna
t9r 1ue re4e OF taS suffering reople OF the South
tnng to expose the gagsc something to prevent the
proVdenty occurred whcG pared Pqpp0Se Events
contribute ia the manner desired and the result has
fore There has been no recurrence of the yellow fever
rs an epidemic or contagon. and believe will
cred causes q it aud prevent them;
other evils our cool northern climate is ali That saves
city reioce Chat public are becomn aroused TO the
necessity 81 at once removing the cause Then the sale
erpg say ths As The result Of my invesuga,ions
remove the cause And believe that if Congress would
apot proper committee 10 make careful inquiry into
me rcsHs 81 that inquiry it would not be long before
where in our land. There tis city ! 900 saloons
rad drinking places ard $4,000 900 is annually OK.
pended to support them and most Of this enormous sum
S3 hoS ro 'e %Td earnings Of the laborng classes
Ii all these places placed side by side allowing
each twenty-five feet 'front.' they would extend distance
evils to illustrate my ideas OF a wisely discriminating
But do you never grow weary IN well doing and feel
like shutting the door against appeals ~ asked the
visitor. "
"Oh, no." the reply, except for n moment 7
would not exchange the sweet memories of the true
pure ana graciulhearts that have been uncovered to my
view to DC exempted from the recollection all the
Daseness aud ungratitudc have experienced from
tuOse that were unworthy. find noble refined na-
%ho are well able and willing To strike ont for Them
selves when once on their feet, aud unfortunate
much, often almost death itself than force them
selves upon the attention. of any ono sun
az MS nnee 20 around among MS, hoping, pray
days upon few dry crackers washed down thcir bny
Fly thoaS WIN tears-such as these it has been i0y
70 meet ana ,hen learn that II il indeed hessod
TO give have never yet cxper anything but The
most sincere gratitude from this cassa gratitude thar
NE rpcEen INTO the fu frution OF genuine friendship
Ihesc recolectone, these thoughts and FRIENDSHIPS are
rare anu cannot be measured by price TO be sure
stand in the wav Of tbo S's whom who fo G
go much 10 serve and utterly he widered
H te number OF recruits that year after
Is one OF the ruling sins Of the day and
uaVagance IN vi at we eat and drink III what
nation expeDds. ~
BEGGING REQUESTS MAIL.
This Is my mornings mall you see, and the first let
ser opened was request to buy bell for new church
not d hundred niles away ON daily appealed to for
money to bald churches buy bells and organs or asst
clergynen to means for few months vacation or 70 In
crease their neasre salaries, till I'm Armament
i wonder why there ere not more comnunons In one
why so many c7eed5, why many cnpty nova and on
lew practical adYaatages Now believe In and
the sacrament. and believe in all that is essential
70 the growth and eXataton of humanity ut 7 connot
LOT Eiy me comprehend the necessity di0.r
s en- ways OF wOrshpping 91d honorng Maker and
inc necessity OF so many different routes TO Heaven
oeeNe that greater good earth honor TO His HOLY
nam nam would be attained If some Of these numerous
cnuIcnes were turned into schOOlhouscs workshops
Just look over that yilc letters and Won viii Und
4 Tor means TO accomplish all sorts OF things