The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-28

In nine instances out OF twelve your
amateur administrator Of charity fails
to achieve the ends to which the kind
ness Of his heart is continually prompt
ing him. Especially is this the case in
q large city. In smaller communities,
where every ones business and conduct
are known to his neighbors better than
to himself, it is fairly possible for a
large-hearted individual to derive from
his charitable investments a reasonable
percentage of the profit they ought to
reap. But in the teeming masses Of
great cities it is simply impossible for
the non-professional to distinguish with
any certainty between the criminal and
idle classes and those who are worthy
recipients Of charity. Money or assist
ance given to the former is only a gi-
gantic mistake. Tt encourages the very
evils which it hopes to remove.
In his charitable crusade Gen. Booth,
of the Salvation army, has proved him
self the very prince of charitable ANA
tours. Our readers will remember the
publication OF Darkest England" and
the excitement which it's revelations
caused in the country whose impeach-
ment it was. The English people were
actually shamed into reform and, when
the general put himself forward as the
regeneration Of the mass Of fallen Eng
fish humanity, his fellow %countrymen
figuratively fell upon his neck and be-
sought him to go ahead. He needed a
large sum of money. All right, it would
be forthcoming. Not less than half q
million dollars would be required.
Shame or remorse brought him every
cent of it. A few cautious men there
were who asked for details, who did not
quite care to give the general a free
hand, doubling his discretion and moi
his zeal. But public feeling swept theil
feeble opposition away in. a flood, anc
the general entered upon his enormous
undertaking, practically unfettered.
The few, however. were in the right
Casting his eyes around, the genera
discovered, as 1T seemed to him, a pos
sible means of occupation for some O
his stray lambs in the firewood indus
try. To bundling irewood the lamb.
accordingly went, and, as it was a par
ticularly easy occupation, there we're nc
complaints. But when the fire Woo
was put on the market, there was ths
old gentleman to pay. England seemed
to be already we'll supplied with fire
wood and, as the salvation brand wa,
no better than the unregenerate kind
it looked at first as if the general would
have a tirewood white elephant on hi
hands. Prices all over were alread,
down to the lowest margin consisten
with a bare living for those employed
In such a dilemma, what was t. b
done? Hal a bright thought. N
sooner conceived than put in force
The general cut his prices below cost
and tho salvation firewood went Xix
hot cakes. The deficiency? Well, c
course, that came out Of the funds sur
piled for the regeneration of the mnsse
and in the meantime a body of industr
GUS men and women have to look OF
white their business is openly take
from them by the generals fanatic an
ridiculous resort. When charity create
a crowd of needy, hungry victims out
Il body OF Industrious, honest peopl
and sends the money that should ha,
been theirs into the pockets of man
who have been thriftless and undeser,
ing most of their days, it is high tin
for radical interference.