Morning journal and courier., 1883-06-22

feet, soon resulted in bringing most of these evils to an end. Tramps left the city, street beggars and house beggars almost entirely disappeared, and if any of either or these classes have at any time since been able to live Tn New Haven, it has been because of the continued existence also of some of our kind hearted people who prefer to sup port them in such lives instead of helping us to lift them into better ones
 In closing his remarks, in order todn troduce other speakers, the chairman said that the simplest way for the community to inform themselves on this subject is to visit our headquarters (now removed to No. 23 Church street, near the postsfice), and see our work, and follow up one or more cases receiving attention there. We only ask the people of our city to judge for themselves of the value of such an agency, and in order that their attention might be more fully called to this subject, we have recently ask ed number of well-known citizens to act as a committee of visitors and make an inspec- ton or cur work and give the public their report, which is as follows:
 REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF VISITORS &o
 The object of this board as judged by it's work is twofold to prevent indiscriminate and hurtful almsgiving, which contributes directly to the increase of pauperism, and the relief of real suffering and giving intel Igent help to the poor. The means for the accomplishment of this object are as follows: First, woodward where any man who wants meals or lodgings or money can earn them Second, laundry where women can find conven1ences for washing. Third, a clean kitchen where suitable food is prepared and clean lodgings rooms. Fourth, a system of visitation upon the poor efficiently, sym pathetically and intelligently conducted All cases of suffering or Restitution are at once looked up.
 The society seeks to discourage begging from door to door, and pledges itself to the benevolence of the public to give kindly and careful attention to all cases reported to it.
 Fifth, the board offers temporary work and help to persons who may be in need able to give many work enough to enable them to earn food and lodging until they found places paying living wages.
 The board acts as an employment bureau where those wishing to find laborers may meet those wishing to find work. For wo- men and children there are classes in which instruction is given in plain sewing and in housework. Other incidental features of this benevolence might be mentioned, as the distribution Of clothing fur nished by the charitable The gen. eral design of the society to help the poor and the unfortunate without encourag- ing pauperlsm seems to be admirably carried out in all the arrangements and instrument talities of the board. To inspect the work is to believe in it. The existence of this char ltable institution is reason enough for it's continuance We find that it's expenses seem to have been reduced to the lowest point consistent with it's efficiency. The only question which the charitable will be dispos- ed to ask with regard to it will be, not should this board be sustained. but how can I help sustain 1t ? The public can cooperate eff ciently with the board in the following ways:
 1. By instructing their servants to send any beggars at their doors to No 23 Church street. That should be the one door where the charity of the city feeds the poor
 2. By buying at market prices a load of klndllng wood from the yard at No. 23 Church street.
 3. By contributing to the funds of the board. No better investment for the proven tion of pauperism and crime can be given; and there never was cause like this that did not need another five dollars.
 4. By visiting the institution and becoming interested in it by seeing what it is doing.
 In behalf of the committee:
 Newman Smyth, w. M. Barbour, E. B. Bow
 ditch, E. HaWes, John G. North, T. s.
 Samson.
 New Haven, June 18th, 1883.
 Rev. Dr. Barbour, pastor of the College church, being called upon, said he was very willing to stand by what was over his name HI tAo 1oporG ana to adQ more. We examined everything, he said. All was in efficient working order as you would wish it to be and all was being carried on with careful economy He told @ humorous story and thereby showed that this was to be accepted by all as a thoroughly straightfor ward charitable work which should have the con fdence and the support of alI One of the best things he thought about it was the air Of home life about the place. People are met,with at a home, not by stern officials, but by klnd-hearted people who really wished to do them good and who wish to find out aboutsthem in order to know how best to help them.
 Rev. pr. Hawes, pastor of the North church, said that even if our motive in doing this work, or commenting and supporting it, was only self-preservation, it WAS right. But better yet when we are helping thereby to save the self respect of the worthy poor who are entirely willing to earn their own living if possible. Best of all when we are in this way doing good for it's own sake, serving others for their good and so making it true Christian charity. If any one objects to this as another organization calling for support, let him show any other that has done as we'll or as much. The work accomplished is the best of reasons for its existence If anyone objects to the cost, let him show how it can be done at any less cost. If any can do it better let them put their hands to the work of doing it. Until then let them pay the bills of this work already being done.
 Rev. Mir. Samson, pastor of the Calvary Baptist church, on being called upon said he was very willing to testify to the good inn precision this work had made upon him. It may seem singular to think of any of our poor as unworthy, but experience shows this to be true. The discrimination shown by the Board of Charities makes their help really helpful. We have, think, the exam pie of our blessed Lord himself in this mat ter. believe Christ used discrimination. He almost universally required some effort for themselves on the part of those he help ed. He aimed to make them self-helpful
 Another good feature about the work of thislboard is that it tends to organize char ity and also to centralize 1t. There is hardly 8 city of it's size in the country with SO many different charitable societies as in our own It is well perhaps to have so much that is good being done, but does not the old meth cd tend to divert power and dissipate force? Would it not be better, as i5 already being proposed, to have one central charitable so- cietY with plenty of power there to give to all who need? There are influences now at work, he believed, to bring this about, and to give this city commodious building for s common work with it's different departments and so all the work well done.
 Rev. Dr. Dennen, pastor of the Third Congregational church, told a story of his travelling in Egypt and scattering of crowd of beggars who had followed them when Welsh fellow-traveler told them with some variations in his native tongue to stclear out. Heretofore there has been with us not only too much indiscriminate giving on the part of some, but on the part of others too much indiscriminate refusal to give. We have told beggars either in Welsh or in some other way to ''clear out'' and they disap- pear. Now by this charity of kind investi- gation there is no need of doing a wrong to a timid, shrinking applicant, when we need not refuse to help, but can send with all others where the real facts in the case can be fully known. He commended this or ganizatien as faithful in it's work, worthy of all confidence and an honor to the city.
 Rev. MT. Buttrick, pastor of the First Baptist church, was the last speaker He said that when he came to this city four weeks ago he was in need of help. Like others in the same situation he was directed to the Central Office of Charities, No. 23 Church street, and with the help he obtained there, house-cleaning was soon over, carpets down and his home ready to be occupied. Now, said he. want help for my church. Some of my people are asking me for work and this work of charity should surely go hand in hand with our work for the souls of men. I believe this association can help us do our church work. I shall be glad to know of the poor whom we can visit and to whom we can intelligently give our syspathy and kindly feelings and our cars. Even our children may be taught