New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-21
FRIENDS OF CHARITY MEET,
PRAIsING THE ORGANIZATION SOCIETY,
BISHOP POTTER AND MAYOR HEWITT COMMEND III
MnRK=pR DE COSTA CRITICIsEs II.

Society at Association Hall last night striking COM
mentary on the recent attack OF the Rev. DR.. DO
Costa tho society aud his request to Mayor Hewtt
to preside at its meeting was furnished by tho
| presence at tho meeting Of Mr. DO Costas Official
superior Bishop Potter. Still moro striking was the
| commentary furnished by Bishop Pottr's language
He wont out Of his way almost to compliment Mayor
Hewitt and no said that gave him great safisfac
ton to express his entire confidence In the general
work and management Of tho society.
1t was expected that Mayor Hewitt would preside.
lie wanted to DO So but couldn't, and wrote letter.
which read at the meeting, expressing his regret
| and approval OF the work Of the society. In his
ABSENCE Robert W. De Forest, the president of the
Society, presided. With him on tho platform were
Bishop Potter, the Rev. Archdeacon Alexander Mackay
Smith, Charities Commissioner Henry Porter, the Rev.
Dr. Wendell Prime Peter b. Oney, James c. Carter,
Professor Richard M. Smith, Of Columbia College;
J. Hampden Robb, Robert Graham, Charles d. KEEL
logg the secretary Of tho society.
Mr.. De Forest, in opening the meeting, said that
tho society in q most pros porous condition, It
never had moro members and last year its receipts
exceeded Its expenditures, and added:
We have been accused OF raising some for orFsni
ton and spending M for organization and not for charity.
Well don't spend It all for charity charity nothing
than giving material relefnonsy soup food ec but
II charity giving AID and counsel then give IL all in
charity 1t Is true that we do employ paid worker" We
believe In It, We couldn't get the work that has to be done
done otherwise But OF them paid half as much
a. they would be paid in any other field There
are twenty.thres OF .asm. and have 200 volunteer
workers Their guarantee that the organization
Is doing useful work None OF them are deadheads We
don give is true but direct those that arc de-
serving OF relief to places where they can get It, or 10 put
positions whs hoy hcp thsmseves and wo do cur best
those undesevng of charity from taking
the places of tho deserving poor
BISHOP PoTrER's HEARTY APPROVAL.
Charles D. Kellogg the secretary. next read an
abstract of tho annual report After Mayor Hewitts
letter had been read. Bishop Potter was Introduced
Bishop Potter said that he had been associated with
tho society since IT'S foundation and no was glad
again to be abe TO state his belief in the wisdom
Of the work undertaken, and his entire satisfaction
with the manner In which the work was done Tho
Bishop then expressed his regret at tho absence OF
Mayor Hewitt and paid tho Mayor some sincere COM
pliments which the audience appaudcd Among
other things he said that Mayor Hewitt was ono Of
the most valuable men the city had and was doing
most valuable INCORPORATING order out OF disorder
Who in this generous mood the Bishop also paid a
tribute tho Rev. DR.. Howard Crosby and pressed
his own strong PERSONAL obligations to him.
In great city like Ncw-York. no said. thero
was a vast amount Of money wasted In charity. This
fact supplied sufficient reason for tho existence
OF tho Charity Organization Society and its continued
existence despite all opposition from whatever sources
It came Another that justified tho existence
Of the society was It's usefulness In preventing
waste of sympathy. In disOrgaDized and immediate
charity, thero was another great waste, the worst
waste Of all, that OF character 1t led 10 permanent
degradat0n-tO the making OF chronic beggars and
the pauperizatiOn OF people
Bishop Potter concluded with something which
most people regarded direct rap over the knuckes
for Dr. DC Costa lie said that recent events might
lead people TO think that the work Of tho society
was mainly detective work. The Bishop pointed
out how erroneous this notion. and told how
men OF wealth and character and refinement under
tho guidance of tho society went among tho poor
found out those that deserving gave them SYM
pathy and counsel and helped them to help them
selves. That is the work OF this society" lie added,
II in doing H., 1t makes enemies, then venture to
say. "a I think said by the gentleman who
nominated Mr.; Cleveland love 1t for tho enemies
James c. Carter spoke next, and after address
by Professor Richmond NJ. Smith. the meeting adj
JOurned
DR.. DE- CosrA's LETTER TO THE MAYOR
The Rev. DR.. De Costa has addressed the following
letter to Mayor Hewitt:
learn from card OF invitation sent to that are
to preside at met Of the Charity Organization Socley
In Association IIoI Monday evening next In view
OF the fact will kindly allow respectfully to
make brief statement. In common with a large number
Of the Episcopal clergy opposed to that society On
fundamental principles seeking does to secuarI7e The
st holy functions OF the Christian relgon and degrading
charity BY sending its representatives, nto the street to
do the work OF the police the Mayor OF the
city charged with the duty OF dealing with besgas and
maintaining order in the thorouRhfares.
This however, dy the La-~ TO disc fundar entail
principles What l desire to do Is TO express the con-
viction founded upon long and careful examination that
the Oh rty Organization Society has forfeited any right
may have at time claimed To confidence and respect
by s long OF heares oppression Of the
unfortunate and by It's persistent course OF lawtssness
charge with lawessness In particular, and the
rapidly approaching when, in the Supreme Court OF
New-IOyk under tho direction OF eminent counsel.
well and respected BY the community will present
specimen Of the soceys awlessness aid outrageous
abuse OF power.
As these facts may be known Your Honor. 1
beg TO present them and respectfully take the liberty OF
asking IN consider whether Mayor OF New YORK.
you can By going the socieys PLATFORM take the
socety's part What complain of Is not an mistake OF
judgment isolated the part OF the society
OF its persistent abuse OF ~ and that Of
conduct nmca 10 the rights OF citizenship and the
fort and peace Of the poor mans home. What declare
here viii be proven In the public and the whole
subec, is pending I beg Your Honor to take the
subject Into careful consideration, and throw tho
weight OF your personal and Official influence against an
effort to obtain justice for the poor.
MR. HEWITT WRITES To SECRETARY xELLoGG.
Mayor Hewitt declined to make public the letter he
wrote TO Dr. De Costa in reply, but he said that his
sentiments in reference to the work being done by tho
socley et forth In the following letter to Charles d.
Kellogg, the secretary of the society:
Since my note to Mr. RObb stating that could not
manage my engagements - as permit me to
be present to uisht your meeting. L
have received letter from tie Rev. MI |
DeCosta, urging re t. take no pait in yor ami |
versay exercises. have written him in reply that
had already notified Mr. Eobb of my inability In
Quence OF other TO be present tonight but
view Of Mr.. DeCOstds letter have felt bound
TO him that sympathzc fully with the objects aimed at
by your organization. ard thai from my experience
Mayor satisfied that you doing only good
but indispensable work in this city,
have heretofore said that regard your association to
be indispensable to the charities OF this city
Clearinghouse Is to the banks confronted daily
with shams and frauds OF all kinds The ingenuity of
to be nexhaustibe In practising upon the
creduity Of the public. You doubtless made
takes l know OF human agency that is fallibIe
But the whole think have avoided the and
queksands successfully any Organization
which 1 have any knowledge You have my hearty |
sympathy and ever shall be relieved from the
which absorb every moment Of time, shall DO
only glad II cooperate with you personally In
the excellent work which you have undertaken and