Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-03-08
A USEFUL ASSOCIATION.

The association of " Associated Chari-
ties has at last been formed in San Fran
cisco. That city is to be congratulated upon
the event. We have long looked forward
to it, and encouraged the effort to effect it.
lndiscriminate alms-giving in that city, as
in all Others, has been prolific of beggary,
imposition and the augmenting of the
woes of the deserving poor. Lack of CO.
operation between charitable associations
invariably results in much misdirection of
charitable effort. 1t fosters imposition of
the worst form, as pretended mendicants are
Swinging between various charitable asso-
Citations pleading that they have had no
relief from any, while actually accumu-
lating money and goods from ALL The
non-union system produces also great
deal of confusion between charity workers,
having no communication between each
or knowledge of what each is doing, and
as a result there is great waste of energy.
The San Francisco organization has these
for its objects:
To secure the concurrent and harmonious ac-
ton of the different charities i'll San Francisco
in order
To raise the needy above the need of relief
prevent begging and imposition, and diminish
pauperism.
To encourage thrift, selfindependence and
industry through friendly intercourse advice
and sympathy, and to aid the poor 10 help
themselves.
To prevent children from growing up as
paupers.
To aid in the diffusion of knowledge on sub
Jects connected with the relief of the poor
10 provide that the case of every applicant
for relief shall be thoroughly investigated.
10 place the results of such investigations at
the disposal of charitable societies and agencies
and of private persons of benevolence
To maintain a central bureau or clearing
house OF charities, in which such records shall
be kept as may be necessary to ascertain the
causes of restitution, and for the prevention of
fraud, imposture and overlapping of relief
To obtain employment, if possible-if not. to
obtain, SO far as necessary, suitable assistance
for every deserving applicant, from public
authorities, charitable agencies, or benevolent
individuals.
To make all relief, either by aims or charit-
able work, conditional upon good conduct and
progress.
To send to each poor family, under the advice
OF district conference, a friendly visitor.
The first, sixth, seventh and eighth
clauses quoted are the most important, and
of necessity bring all others in their train.
They carry with them the establishment
of detective system that, if properly
worked, will almost wholly prevent fraud
ulent applications, will ferret out the i'm
posters, and keep the several associations
thoroughly well-informed concerning itin-
Grant beggars, and those common frauds
who travel from county to county, living
upon public aims and making deceptive
appeals to human sympathy.
Sacramento ought to relate itself to this
new organization in San Francisco If it
does it will be the means of saving thousands
of dollars to the people, a considerable
sum to the county treasury now annually
misapplied to get rid of persistent mendi-
cants, and will break up many gross i'm
positions that have been and are practiccd
upon this community.