Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-17
PRoFEssIoSAL BEesARs

PROFESSIONAL BEGGARs.
1t is no compliment TO the negro race to
say that a colored beggar is not known in
the South. II is true there are many unfOr-
tunate blacks liying either on the charity Of
their former owners, their friends and rela-
tious, or some charitable institution, but
there are no skrolling professional colo-ed
beggsrs. Labor Is in such demand that if
negro, male or female, old or young, should
wander along our streets, or the public high
ways as a professional beggsr, he or she would
be Immediately arrested as vagrant or
forced 10 abandon the avocation by the
rocks and brickbats of naughty colored boys.
There is much destilution among the colofed
population. Bot public opinion will not
tolerate the professional colored beggar. The
whites take the position that the South is
not over-peopled; that the avenues of labor
are not choked up; that in this plenteous
land beggary Is the consequence of laziness
and vice; that the means of obtaining an
honest livelihood are abundant; hence they
offer work 10 needy colored persons but
never aims. This prevents the nefarious
business OF professional begging by impe-
cunious blacks. The same policy should
be applied to the white professional beggars.
Charity for the wants and woes of our suf-
feriug fellow -creatures is a noble trait. But
it is difficult to relieve the distresses of the de-
serving without encouraging the wickedness
of the proHigate. In the exercise of benevo-
lence, when too widely spread one is apt TO
loss sight Of the center, iu solicitude for the
extremes of the mighty circle, hence under
innumerAble masks idleness and vics levy
contributions on society. The necessities of
the idle are almost invariably self created.
"Kindness 10 the wicked is cruelty 10 the
good i" any encouragement to the unworthy
bepgar is an Injustice TO the deserving poor.
Memphis, like all other cities, has its pro-
portionate share of white beggars. The
blind old woman led about nv negro boy
chronic beggars who have been telling the
same tale for years. They have made money
By their trade, and, having lost all shame
and self-respect, become Sd attached to life 4
supported at the expense of other peoples
labor that they have a contempt for the
drudgery of work. 10 speaking OF the many
frauds prscticed upon the public by the pro-
fessional beggars, the Wilmington (Del) Star
ssys:
One woman who applied to a lady of this city
for assistance appealed for clothes for her chill
dren. whom she said were suffering from cold, and
was playing on parlor organ which she had got |
ten from her mother for Christmas present. With
child would have been fixed for the winter but as
the lady appealed TO couldn't afford paflor or |
the children of a mothe: who could indulge in |
such luxury. With pitiful face woman APP
he sobs shook her frame as she told her Woe. She
was told that her case would be looked up, and |
child, but was raising funds TO have a party, for
which some OF the expectant guests were
Ing the apparent mourner and waiting around |
the corner, where passing reporter overheard
wonder il that stfngy person win give anything?''
These instances fully illustrate the enormous
from house to house pleading for food, clothing
and money when, in reality, they are amply pro-
once deceived by them not afterward disposed
to look favorably even upon deserving cases, and
not entitled 10, but prevent meritorious cases
from receiving the assistance they really stand in
need of They also show the necessity for or
tons be carefully investigated with a view TO
giving help to those who really need it and reject
gars with scorn and indignation.
C,ses OF destitution and suffering really
meriting assistance have often been de-
MED proper attention by the base impo-
sitious of those who make begging the
only means of subsistence The cheek and
assurance of these professional beggars Ia
and the astonishing effrontery
and energy with which they ply their nefa-
rious trade would soon make them fortunes
# honestly directed in the channels of legiti-
mate business. Organized charity is the
,nly protection for society. Indiscrimiuate
:harity increases pauperism; it certainly
,auses far more misery than it alleviates. 1t
encourages idleness, vice and immortality by
akiug from the poor the strongest induce
nent to industry and economy, and inspires
he belief hat life is much easier for the beg
'ar than the drudging laborer. The moment
'eggsry is made respectable profession,
hat moment it is relieved from the tax
which it pays to society by being despised;
hat moment armies of lszzaroni are created
md the idle and iudolent whom sense of |
hame lad hitherto deferred, are made ,
surdy beggars. Pnblic, opinion has in
lignantly starved cut colored beggars and
ne white beggars ready to insult all I
rho refuse 10 give should be SINH
srly dealt with. We favor the largest
harity 10 the suffering poor But :
he distribution OF public charity
ught to be in the banda of public officers, /
with the world and able to detect r
nposture of every kird. Il would then be be-
owed with wariness and circumspection \
hjch, while it operates ss far as is possible
the relief Of yIrtuous distress, does MOI en- | !,
,urage idleness aud debauchery Human 0
= is not benefited by taking from tn. pock-
s Of the worthy 10 bsstow on the worthless. O
"