Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1883-06-12


the best course to follow. The account MIR.
Kellogg gives of the methods used in dealing
with paupers in France and Germany is most
interesting, but it would take too much time
to give the details here. He says in speak
ing of these two countries SIN them there
are two systems, conceived in exactly oppo-
site political theories; but Notwithstanding
this, their administration of relief quite as
exactly corresponds in principle and in meth
cd. Under each the entire control of relief
is substantially held by one management;
therefore the pauper is practically in the
custody of a single authority; the work
house test is fully compensated for by sys-
tenn of investigation which makes relief at
the homes of the poor quite safe; and two
great remedial influences are kept in constant
action upon the pauper, namely employment
and the constant pressure of friendship"
In this paragraph we have, think, the
key given us to the great success of the
French and particularly of the German sys-
tenn seen at Elberfeld.
1st. The entire control of relief substan-
TALLY held by one management.
I'd. A thorough system of investigation.
Sd. Two great remedial inhuences-em-
ployment and the pressure of frisndship-
kept in constant action upon the pauper.
Can these three principles be put in opera
ton here?
Both in this country and in England the
idea of the necessity of unity in charitable
action has been steadily gaining ground. Mr..
Kellogg says I'm its essential idea, charity
organization aims to establish a bureau
through which every established institution
and society formed for the assistance of the
poor and every private citizen may act in CO.
operation. Charity organization, drawing
its agents from workers already in the field,
or from fresh volunteers, distributes them
through every precinct of the city to dlscov-
er what forms of human misery are hidden
there. Its purpose is that not an outcast
soul, however dislodged from society, shall
go misunderstood and unbefriended. Hold
ing this purpose it comes to the community
and says, I'VE will accept the responsibility
of every case of real or simulated distress
which you may throw upon us. We will not
relieve it ourselves unless it be SO exception
al an instance that no other resource is at
hand for our aim is not to create q new Or
ganization, but to systematic and bring to
the hi CHEST efficiency the hundreds of agen-
cies already available, and SO put an end to
their disorder and waste It is an agency for
inv estigat1on, and as such it becomes bu-
rea u of registration, at which relief societies
may detect the overlapping of their work,
he conceal ed assistance of their beneficial
tries and the impostures practiced upon
them. Here they may find the means to dis
criminate between meritorious and dissem-
bling want"
1t is only by such a charity organization
resources economical and useful work done
Without such organization alms-giving is
more likely to pauperize than to do good
Does every citizen of New Haven know that
we have such a bureau established here !?
The Board of Associated Charities has done
and is doing most useful and needed work,
but to make its work thoroughly efficient it
should receive the hearty support and coop
Grafton of all good citizens. 1t interferes
with no society, but every society should be
thankful that there is a central Office to
which to apply for information, and which,
when in perfect working order, will be able
at once, by reference to the record book, to
tell them how much such or such an individ
ual receives from the town, how much from
this society, how much from that, and thus
by thorough knowledge and careful investi-
cation render fraud and imposture well nigh
impossible. Here then we have the first two
principles of the French and German sys-
TENS substantially carried into effect, that is
there should be central Office and thor
ough system of investigation whether the
third, and it seems to the writer the most i'm
portant principle Of all, namely, the creme
dial influences of employment and the pres
sure of friendship kept in constant action
upon the pauper, shall also be carried out
efcssaal.y, depends much tpoa the laGise of
New Haven. In the report of the Board of
Associated Charities for the year 1882 this
suggestion occurs Attention is especially
called to the fact that when dependent fami
lies or persons are once known at our ofscs,
we endeavor to keep acquainted with them
until as result they shall become, If posi-
bic, seIf-supporting and self respecting. It
Is not only desirable, but very essential to the
accomplishment of this object, that in addi-
ton to their calls at the Office or the calls of
our agent upon them, there should be one or
more persons to visit them from time to
time at their homes These we call friend
ly visitors and there are already number
of ladies and others on our list of visitors to
the poor. Many more, however, are greatly
needed, and any who are willing to engage in
this part of our work will find many oppor-
tunities for kindly influence over others, who
but for them might feel they had hardly
friend in the world"
Are there not ladies who can respond to
this appeal? Many are engaged in such
work as this, and yet 1 do not doubt that
there are many more in this city of New Ha-
ven who with warm hearts and willing hands
are only idle because they do not know what
to do. If any such should call at % Church
street Mr.. Mossman would gladly give them
work. To be liberal with our money is not
enough if we would really do good we must
give something of ourselves with it. Per-
sonal interest, personal sympathy, can alone
bridge over the gulf between rich and poor,
and teach the world the meaning of those
Christ-given words-Our Father. D. B.