The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-21

1T will be seen by this" says the committee,
show public relief has been gradually increas-
ing. Public attention has been called to this of
lgte q source of danger It is at all times an
element of trouble politically. 1t can be polti-
cal corruption fund. Even when honestly aG-
ministered it is dangerous No public Office is
80 equipped as to give that wise attention to it
it needs. 1t is public dole. Il can do nothing
to uplift those who are needy. It cannot give
work instead of aims which is the true basis of
modern relief. In Brooklyn it was discontinued
in 1878, when the yearly distribution had run up
TO Sal, POT. In Philadelphia it has been dis
continued since 1879 In neither case
has the add...:oolai cali upon :ssc
voluntary relief societies been marked
Nor has the additions to the aims houses been
great. The committee believes that public relief
could be abolished in Center township without
suffering to the poor. II is thought that the vol
0ntary societies could assume this additional re-
def without adding more than 81 900 or So 900 to
ty that would be saved would be in the neghbor
hood Of SIS. 900 yearly. In addition to this. the
pplift would be great, as the cases of need would
be treated with kindness, sympathy and the per-
sonal touch. The committee recommend that
this matter be put into the hands of committee
to bring before a meeting Of the society at an
early date.
The establishment of savings societies among
the poor is also discussed in the report The
poor OF this city have no place to lay up the
WORK
is plentiful. The banks do not care to receive
small deposits; the building societies are not
formed fer such purposes When the winter
comes there is no reserve. They buy by the
small and pay high prices. No better work can
be done for the poor, the committee believes
than to assist IN the organization OF home and
savings society. This matter is now in the
hands of committee, and is commended to the
attention of the incoming council and to the
public
The committee on district work reports that
during the year there were held forty-two weekly
meetings The total number of cases coming
before these meetings was SIS, numbering 3, 242
persons The representation of cooperating
societies was longer than ever before, and the
interest taken greater During the year the
South side Benevolent Society was organized,
aud representative was in attendance The
Wcman's Relief Corps was added to the number
OF cooperating societies. The idea OF the socie-
~ has been seen and the value of associated
effort recognized. The committee examined
into l63 cases reported by the township trustee
Tor September. The following will show the
disposition of cases for the year ending Nov. l.
Number of applications for aid ...... e1s
Number of persons in families. ........-....3 242
Class leases worthy of relief: Orphans with no
living parents, or ons parent unable to support /;
aged. %; temporary illness or accident GOD Total
rather than relief Out of work, able and
willing &C. insufficient work, able and will
ing to do mere e. isM h Dy lahrnity or
total 224 Glass III-Cases not requiring. unworthy
not entitled to relief: Not requiring relief. AZ;
owring property D having relatives able to support
10; shftless or improgdent hopelessly So 81; vi
cous, hopelessly So 69 prefer to 1.-Two aims 166;
tranps L; confirmed inebyiates II; total under class
II S6z Total cases relieved under Cases and Ii
400. total cases refused under Class ILL., 362 total
applications, 3d.
Classification II-R Recommended to, and relieved by
1ownsnip trustee lO4: Indianapolis Benevolent