The Indianapolis journal., 1884-12-01
THE ORGANIZED CHARITIES.
Annual Meeting of the Benevolent and
Charity Organization Societies.
Addresses by Gov. Porter, Gov. Hendricks,
Mrs. HufTOrd, VIM. Wallace, and Revs Nc
LeOd McCullOch and e. A. Bradley

The annual public meeting of the Indianapo-
dis Benevolent and Charity Organization Society
was held at Engsh's Opera-house last night
The attendance was so large that the theater
could not accommodate all who came. The serv-
ices in number of churches were abandoned
fOr the evening, so that the congregations might
unite in the meeting Governor Porter presided,
and on the stage were Mr.. and Mrs Thomas A.
Hendricks, Rev James Mcleod, Rev. o. G. Nc
Cuoch, Rev. j. A Rondthaler, Rev. E. A.
Bradley Rev L, r. VanBuskirk and a number
of leading citizens The music was furnished by
tho choir of Central Christian Church and the
Apollo quartete, under the direction of Pro
fessor Ora Pearson. The introductory prayer
was by Mr. Rondthaler
GOVERNOR PoRTER's INTRODUCTION.
After the choir had sung Spirit Immortal, !"
Governor Porter, in introducing the speakers,
said:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: This is the forty
ninth annual meeting of the indianapolis Be
neVolent Society. The society was organized
when this place contained population of less
than 900, and it exists and is tlourishing more
than ever when the city contains population of
over 90000. AS it was in the beginning, so it Is
now, that at its annual meeting scarcely any
people who assemble to witness its exercises
Nearly all the noble men and women
who were here when the society was started
have passed away. Their work however, has
fallen into the hands of others who are not
less efficient, not less capable, not less Jealous
not less sympathetic than they were. This IS
not society, as you all know, for mere aims
giving. If it were that only it would be ad-
mirable. 1t has in the course of its long ex
istence given many thousands to purposes of
charity But it has other objects which are
quite as important, and it may be more impor-
tant. 1t gives not merely money; 1T gives
solace, it gives sympathy to the sick and to the
afflicted and it brings to them, or has in its re-
cent years, that which pleases the senses-fow-
ers and music, and whatever will tend to render
the sick peculiarly happy. I have said it was not
a society organized merely for alms-giving
have shown you two of its
purposes, but think the most
important of all is that it furnishes work to
those who do not wish to live upon charity, and
have work to do. If there is any man in this
world any woman who deserves above all
others, sympathy, it is the man or woman who
desires employment to prevent being put in the
position of a mendicant, and cannot OBJ
tain that employment. There are many
both and women, who, in
hard times, have no tact with which to
get employment. They do not know how to get
work to do, and they come upon the poor list
merely because they cannot find work. 1t has
been noble thing in this society to furnish
way to places of employment and are destitute;
to those who are in the city and are desti-
tute, and, above, all to obtain permanent en-
plOyment for others, and if you will look at
its reports you will find that it has been highly
successful as it has been highly diligent in that
noble work We hope that the time will come
when such conditions will cease to exist that
such diligent work has to be performed by
this society will be unnecessary. There are
statesmen who hold no office, and who desire no
Office, who are studying these great social prob
lems to solve the difficulty, and to
bring about that condition of things
by which this society will not need so much to
exist; but until their noble work shall be accom-
plished-and it is feared that it will be genera
tions before it will-the services of such socie-
ties as these cannot be overrated l am ap-
pointed by the society the presiding officer of
This meeting, and it is not fitting that
upon the time given to others for
the regular addresses. You will be
addressed first to night by our distinguished fell
lcw-townsman who has recently been crowned
with new honors by the partiality of the people.
shall say nothing more about him, but | ask
upon this occasion-the last occasion that shall
have before my official term will have expired
to allude to one whom in modesty he could not
allude to, and that is his estiinable
wife. For many years she has been
a trustee of the State ReformatOry for Women.
During my whole official term she has held that
Office and / can bear witness to the ntel-
pathy with which she has discharged the duties
of that most honorable station. lApplause |
You will also be addressed to night by gentlemen
whose names are familiar to you, who have made
the subject of the problem of public charities
q study, and who will address you upon those
subjects intelligently and eloquently."
GOVERNOR HENDRIcKs's ADDRESS
Mr.. Hendricks, upon being presented to the
audience, was kindly received with a murmur of
lie
The work of the Benevolent Society, was as fol
lows:
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1 am
Bure it must be very gratifying to the ladies and
gentlemen who have charge of the benefactions
of this society that this society is popular. No
other interest, no other society, can command
such audiences as attend the annual meetings
which 1t holds No disturbance Of the weather
no attraction elsewhere, can prevent full audi
ence to give their approval of the enterprise for
the relief of the poor. To night we recognize
the absence of one whose presence has always
been very charming TO me; for many years he
has been one of the active spirits in the cause of
benevolence in the city of Indianapolis To
another field he has gone, and with him has gone
the good wishes of all who have taken special
interest in the cause of this society," speak of
Rev. Myron Reed | dare say that all recog-
nize the fact-especially the gentlemen-that
when Mr.. Reed and Mr. McCulloch would come
into your Offices along shortly after these
annual meetings, you knew pretty
well, without any suggestion on
their part what it meant and so you com
menced getting out your pocket books at once.
He has given character aud interest to every
meeting that has been held here for several
years, and now desire to say that he took with
him my respect for his genius, my respect and
honor for the sympathies of his great heart
which were displayed in his efforts for this
cause. Applause. dare say it has occurred
to every one of you that there ought
10 be some method, if possible, whereby
the distress Of the poor should be reduced, and
that the number of those who become objects of
public benefaction and charity should be reduced.
1t is difficult subject to consider, and upon an
occasion allowing such short discussion, it is
quite impossible TO accomplish it. 1t would be
necessary to consider somewhat the causes of
poverty, the causes that take the Door to the
poor house, and that send the charitable to
the homes of the poor. 1 cannot undertake