Los Angeles daily herald., 1885-12-11
.n,ps prNEyoLENr SOCIETY,
LADIES DIM IT VI1' !.
Annual election and Report OF
officers and Annual Address
~ the President.

Annual Election ana kcp"rt %
osescers and Annual Address
of the President.
The Ladies' Benevolent Society held
ita annual meeting at Good Templars
Hall Wednesday, December Q. The
following officers were electe | for the
ensuing year;
Mrs. c. Ducommun, President; Mrs.
Wills and Mrs. B. Chandler, Vice Presi-
dents; Mrs. l. w. Hellmar, Treasureri
Miss Clara wollweber, Secretary, The
following Trustees were also elected
Mrs. H. Newmark. Mrs. H. s. Bath,
Mrs. S. Hellman, Mrs. w. II. Perry,
Mrs. H. Mcclellan. Mrs. W. 5. Moore
Mrs. W. D. Gould.
Reports we're read from the President,
Treasurer and Secretary. A vote oi
thanks was extended to the people ior
donations of clothing; to the Good lem.
Mars for the use of their hall; to tue
press, the physicians, the mereuad s.sands
the visiting committee and TO al n.au ,;,1
who have kindly aided III yrs
ON their work.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT, Mrs o' Do'
coMMUS.
During the year now past sne ,.au,e. t'".
Benevolent Society OF Los Angeles mas
onietlv pursued the somewhat uneven
do 49, ~ ,ts way. 1852 have been recelv-
al for membership, $500 as donatiohs'
and $500. go from entertainments max
ing total OF 81, $500. a..
AGAINST this the disbursements OF the
Society foot up to 81 ,342. 40, every cent
of which has been applied to actual re-
lief excepting $34 paid toward teie'
,,ho,e nsed for the convenience OF the
ladies. Many applications ior aia nave nav,
been received aud relief renue.eu
in 1893 cases-all that were found worthy.
Such clothing and bedding as nave peen
available have been distributed accord
ing to the best judgment OF the ladies'
the demand for clothing has constantly
exceeded the supply.
The work Of the Society generally has
been done with system and as thorough
ly as the scaniy exchequer would per
nit. Worthy cases among the poor
come to the notice Of the committees con
tinually: Of these, some can be helped as
much as seems necessary, while ioi
Others A cramped treasury Will aiio"
only limited relief While money mas
been used. it cuts but small hgure IN
tbe work Of the Society. Widows DeinR
the sole support Of young children, nave
haen assisted In obtaining Work anu
bslnai 10 clothe the little ones comfort
III for sehool. The bed Of pain has
been soothed by kindly offices. and the
diving assured OF friendship for their deai
ones Many comforts and delicaciei
have been furnished to the aged and IN
firm. To the proud poor struggiint
along under adverse circumstances th'
Society has been enabled to extend the
rioht hand without letting the lett hand
know its work, Several times individu
ais have been tided over times OF spec'a
,n;sfor,une aud the money advanced has
has,, rsfnnded at the first return o
,,ros,eritv To such as these Il is ths
pleasure OF the society to minister ano
Tor such does 1t ever pray for aid. Neede'
ecverity has been shown to drunkarus'
thieves and impostors, the pupiic ma
been warned against them through th'
press. The action of the society Is ire
auently criticised--its members art
called hard and lacking in sympathy fo
refusing or disseminating aid. Still an
other class OF critics declare prodigaltty
10 he the great fault and murmnr owe
the reckless waste Of funds. GRANTED
tbat mistakes are made, the aim Is fo
the good and to that is bent the strength
of the organization. Cases which, q
The casuel observer, may seem pitifu
proye. on careful investigation, to D
Unworthy; help given to such net oni'
robs the deserving poor but "ouiu "
the positive injury of making. wiiiinl
uaupers of the recipients. In case
where temporary aid is given in time
sickness or trouble. there Is sometime
shown a disposition 20 remain on TN
hands of the society; to these II Is
favor to restore activity by discontinu
ING aid, The aim of the society is not
as many suppose, to sustain but 70 pre-
vent the pauper, in this 1t Is cotnpa'e'
By many kindly but short-signted peo
pie who persist in giving. aims, each ac
eording to the dictates OF a heart inoVe'
by the sad stories told by street beggars
Reflect upon the small GUMS doied ou
in indiscrimiuate charity and think nov
many give so 90 yearly in nine cases ou
of ten to paupers. Let this sum max
Won n member Of the Ladies' Benevoien
Society. then every case OF destitutiol
which you have not time to investigat
can be directed to the visiting committe
of your district. This committee vii
carefully examine the case an
promptly administer necessary relief
In case Of imposturs the applicant is no
likely to 90 to the committee, as sue
have no desire for the Justice likely I
be prescribed. II general aims givn
could be stopped pauperism would mate
rally decrease, the lazy and undeserviu
be Obliged to work for their daily bread
and thus become self supporting and Sc
respecting. Los Angeles aDounds
wealth, energy and loving kindness:
also abounds In poverty, hunger, flti
and, worse than all. vice. In order tht
the poor and hungry may be clothed an
fed. the filthy mide clean, the viciot
suppressed II is necessary that none
be given by the wealthy and work an
sympathy by the energetic and the loV
inq. The Ladies' Benevolent Societ
viii thankfully receive donations I
money, new and old clothing, bedding
food and literature. 1t appeals to l0t
persons for yearly membership of 81
small sum to the individual, but NAL
ing grand total that will be the msar
of she dding much light in dresry home
The work of the society Is performe
eratuitousIy by ladies whose only ann
10 benefit their fellow men. Its spirit
broad, knowing no creed and no natio
ality. To be truly needy is all that
necessary TO insure its help. Let tho
in happy homes show their good will
man IN the glad Xmas time by remeI
bering the widow and the fatherless, Il
- A. .;oi- a,d tha 1sina