National Republican., 1885-10-28
SYSTEMATIC pENovLENcE.
Annual Meeting of the Charity Organ
Ization Society,


The Second annual meeting Of the Charity
Organization Society of this District was
held last evening in the Spencerian College
parlois, and was well attended; A. s.
Pratt presided, with J. c. Pratt secretary.
The meeting was treated to excellent vocal
music by Miss Mills.
President Pratt then proceeded to read
his annual address, pretacing II with the
remark that he was worker and not n
speech-maker, He reviewed the charity
work Of the District, that performed by this
society, also similar work in the Ltates, and
asserted that by comparison and actual ex-
perience Il had been found that the true
way to deal with the poor was to provide
employment and not distribute money.
Upon this basis had this society operated,
and the result had proven that IL was the
correct course. What they most needed
was helpers in the ranks, and women were
better suited to become investigators and
hunt out the true status Of applicants. lie
felt greatly encouraged over the progress
Of the society during the first year OF its
existence.
General Secretary Pratt read his annual
report. IL was well understood, he says,
that tho present secretary accepted the
Office few months ago as temporary OK
pedient, the work being newly organized,
but little understood by citizens, and the
resources Of the society inadequate TO pay
ing salary which would secure the whole
time and services OF an organizing secrc-
tary. IL was understood that during this
period the officers and members OF the
society would voluntarily share in the labor
OF investigation OF cases, In securing re-
ports from institutions, charities, churches,
and citizens, and, especially, in caring for
the interests OF their own several sections
OF the city. Ina snirit Of gratitude and hearty
appreciation, acknowledgment is made that
u considerable portion OF the financial sup
port the society would receive from its
own officers and members has been devoted
to this worthy purpose. No case referred
to the society has been neglected, each has
received careful, prompt, and thorough at
tention. Paid agents are needed In the
branch societies, and paid register perma-
nently employed at the central Office to
keep the full record.
The following, although incomplete, Is
compiled from the records of the central
office: Names registered on cards in file
bureau, 4,3l0; reported by police since last
annual report, ~; reported from District
Jail, $50; professional beggars, 4S; wanting
light, easy, profitable work, %; sent TO
police, 10; sent TO hospital or infrmaries, 81;
sent to homes or friends out Of the city, 3;
dangerous tramps, 10; foreign tramps, 13;
referred to churches and societies, 10; re-
ferred to central Office, 90; total number of
reports filed since last annual meetind, 575.
There is general expression of opinion
on the part of citizens that street begging
is sconspicuously diminishing Citizens give
less TO n1Sggars, and the root Of the evil is
thus beii;G;., extirpa.ed. ,,
Mr.. G, a, James. treasurer, In his report,
which was read, shows liz. the -reSs'ots
from all sources were $l,0l9.GG; ulsU.."sSee-
ments, 81 ,001 As.
A letter was read from Rev. John II. FL
liot regretting his inability to be present.
Mrs Sara A. Spencer taking for her theme
"Why is not this money given to the poor2n
touched upon all descriptions Of charity,
and assigned many reasons why IL should
not be done by giving aims. She said that
almsgiying inflicted irreparable injury on
the recipient, and was hopeless to reforma-
tion. Those who received aims never knew
how to hold on to what they had, and the
poor were provided for. She referred
to the relief society, and said
that where its work ceased
that Of thisacommenced The class which
had been ignored-its source of supplies
cut off-was the one that this society looked
after. They were not permitted to beg on
the street, and prevented, so far as preven-
tion could reach them, and taught that en-
ployment was the means by which their
want would be supplied. 1t will be recol-
lected by many that mostly beggars came to
their doors on Saturday night and pleaded
for aims. Such cases were all frauds. That
night was selected because 1t was too late
to investigate, and no one knew 1t better
than the beggars themselves. She urged
people who were able aud willing to ogive to
give clothes, food, fuel, and time, but not
to give money.
..t a lfettfGEaG, rreeag4 utrAg uAialStaRty SGrYG
with them and expressing himself as fully
cooperating In the purposes and objects Of
the society. lie was glad to see that they
did not give aims and believed the basis on
which they extended relief was the true
and proper one. Remarks were made by
DR.. Granger, Rev. Mr.. Steele, and Others on
the needs of the society and care to be OBJ
served in giving aims.
The election Of board of managers was
then entered upon, and the following
chosen: Mr.. A. s. Pratt, Mrs.,S. A. Spen-
Ger, s. s. Shedd, Mrs. Emma Poersche, j.
F. Cook, L. X. johnson, L. Youngs, j. G..
Pratt, DIR. Granger, w. II. Speare, NJ. ii,
Doolittle, Mrs. s. s. Shedd, Gen. Dunn,
Charles A. James, Mrs. X. 4. Brigham, j..
s. Swormstedt, Gen. Temple Clark, Rev.
i. d. Power, Miss F. s: Crosby, G. f.
Keefer, Simon Wolf, w. w. Burdette, IL.
A. Johnston, Rev. A. F. Steele, and B. p.
Mann.
At the close of the meeting the board met
and elected the following officers; Presi-
dent, A. S. Pratt vice presidents, b. p.
Mann and Mrs. Sara A. Spencer; general
secretary, j. G. Pratt, and treasurer, Chas.
A. James.
New members were reported at the meet
ing as follows: L. G. Spencer, Mrs. l.. g.
Spencer, Rev. j. Owen Dorsey, Edgar Rich
ards, Mrs. w. d. Stroud, Frederick Doug
loce II II Gilbert nuis Raar Wash. n
Williams, Mrs. NJ. Despard, Miss +. s.
Crosby, Henry Crowell, Charles +. Keefer
Mrs. Harriet II. Mills, Rev. Jabez Fox
Rev. DR.. Geisey, Mrs. X. T. Bingham, DR.
W. w. Cooling, E. o. Graves, w. II. Smith
Miss Ella Marbury, and G. s. Bundy.