Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-10-16
THE NEW IDEA" ABOUT CHARITY
WORK.


On the 9TH of December there is to be
assembled in San Francisco, as is an
nounced in another column, conference
of the representatives of charities in
California at which one of the subjects to
be debated is, "Charity Organization in
Cities" By this is meant the considera-
lion Of measures "to prevent the over
tapping Of relief" 1t would be better to
make the subject more general, so as to EN-
brace " charity organization in the State"
And we feel certain that the debate to en-
sue will go to this extent.
AS charity organizations now operate,
they may be likened to independent and
unrelated commands resisting a common
foe, but obviously, in consequence, at cross
purposes often, divergent frequently,
rarely concentrated in effort, and always
encountering obstacles not serious in COM
pact and uniform organization. But if
these forces, while retaining their indi-
vidual independently, and their distinctive
characters and fields of operation, could be
marshaled by agreement generated by
common understanding, that would pre-
vent waste of energy, and all possible I'M
due concentration, as well as too diffusiye
labor, they would resemble a grand army
moving by intelligent system under wise
administration, conqueringly to common
purpose.
Organizing the Charities" goes beyond
economically disbursing the bounty of the
merciful. 1t reaches out not only to re-
lieve and ameliorate human misery, but it
inquiries into causes, and seeks to prevent
as well as to heal. Thus instead of dis
bursting aims Unfortunately, it searches
out the cause of suffering; it labors for the
prevention of Them and therefore most
directly for the good of society. If, for
instance, it Is convinced of the great truth
that the mad indulgence in strong drink is
"a symptom rather than cause of per-
sonal depression" as D. c. Kellogg has so
aptly put it in his admirably constructed,
though somewhat pesslmistic essay in the
"AtIantic Monthly for October, on " Re-
formation OF Charity" it directs its effort
TO the removal of the cause of the depres-
sion. in order to remove in turn the cause
of alcoholism.
The organization of the charities of the
State will result in the concentration OF
effort in all appeals to the public and to
the legislative authority. 1t will concern
itself about all reformatories and asylums.
1t will seek out intelligently the supply
sources OF all refugees and become an eco
nomic factor in State government, by
lessening them. Instead of simply giving
to the poor, it will labor to prevent the
need of giving by helping the poor to help
themselves. 1t will prevent imposture by
thorough detective knowledge in every
town and city of all cases OF real need, and
the conveyance to every individual charity
Society of information of impostors and
the chronic leaners upon others, and the
condition of those worthy of aid.
Let us suppose the scores of charity AS
sociations in this State by chosen delegates
to form an Association to be known as
"The Organized Charities of California"
with religious creed, political faith, frater-
nal society obligations wholly ignored in
l., the one common purpose being the
economy of giving and the enhancement OF
helpfulness on the part of all organiza-
lions. Is it not clear that such a central
body would become an engine of mighty
purpose and vast good? Such central
organization would be supported by pro-
portional contributions of the Societies,
measured by ability, but all would share
alike in its benefits In every considera-
BILE city and town there would, of necessity
be planted an agency of the pivotal organ
ization.
As body, it will be seen at a glance, it
would constitute detective agency
throughout the State against lmposture ;
it would be an instrument of incalculable
benefit for discovery of deserving poverty.
1t would refer to the individual Societies
those cases properly belonging to them ;
it would almost certainly prevent the
overlooking of any worthy cases of
suffering and want it would
be mighty power to help
the deserving poor to help them
selves. 1t would conserve industry and
discourage, if not kill of, professional
mendicancy. The giving of aims to beg
rars should, under such s system, utterly
cease, since all men and women would re-
fer the beggars of the street and the