St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-13
IN NEED OF MORE FUNDS,
Operations Of Worthy Charity Seri-
ously Impaired.
CARING FOR THE CHILDREN
Agent Hutchins Outlines the Work
Performed by the Relief :
Society.

It IS somewhat strange that In city
such as st. Paul, teeming with wealthy
citizens, the work of the Relief society
should be crippled for want of funds
But so it is. ''There was an indebted
ness of S113 at the end OF the last quar-
ter" said Morgan L. Hutchins yeSter-
day, land owing to increased demands
upon the funds of the society that sum
has been still further increased" This
is a condition of things to be regretted,
particularly when the excellent work
covered by the society is taken into ac-
count. A thorough investigation is
made into all applications for relief.
Many are found to be in needy circun1-
stances over which they had no control,
and are given relief of some description,
but large percentage of applicants are
found unworthy. Each applicant is re-
QueSted to make out statement, in
which personal details Of himself and
family are set forth. If the applicant is
in immediate want. and in my opinion
worthy of relief, | relieve him prior to
inquiring into the case. Where families
seeking relief are concerned we usually
employ the aid of a lady visitor. This
lady is secured out of the district where
the family reside, and she visits them at
their home, ingratiates herself with
them and finds out their real wants.
Upon her report the family receive the
relief required, and through the lady
visitor we ascertain whether they have
been living judiciously. This is an eX-
cellent preventative OF fraud. Besides
administering relief, the society is me-
dunn of obtaining employment for
We have a book headed ''Help
Wanted" and employment Want
ed" and would be glad if
employers would more largely take adj
vantage of it. A large number of ap-
plications are made for relief and work,
last quarter the total number being over
500. Almost every church in the city
has some fund for the relief of the poor,
and we bring some of the applicants
before the church authorities to whose
denomination they may probably have
belonged"
This is but brief outline of the work
of the Relief society. There are many
other agencies, and the latest is a day
nursery for children.
This has been open two weeks, and
when it becomes more widely known
will undoubtedly be largely availed by
wOrkingwomen, for whose benefit it has
been inagurated. The matron is we'll
fitted for the post, shOwinga kindly and
sympathetic spirit towards her young
charges. ''We have merely these two,
to-day" she said yesterday, pointing to
two little babes, laughing and growing
at each other in carriage the matron
was preambuiating the passage. ''fhe
charge for the care of the children is )
cents per day, but in cases where the
mother is in dire necessity, no charge is
made. The children are solely those of
poor widowed women, or those deserted
by their husbands, and who are forced
to earn their own livelihood. It's better
for them to leave their children here.
They are safe. well cared for and fed.
1t will be a great blessing for them in
winter, when fuel is so scarce among
poor people Five children is the larry
est number we have had on one day,
but the nursery has only been opened
two weeks, and when it is more widely
known it is certain to be well patron
lied"