The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-08
OSCAR c. M'CuLIOCH.
A Man Whose Services 10 Humanity Illus
trate Ideal American Citizenship
Harper's Weekly

Harper's Weekly.
Mr.. McCulloch. who died last December
ut Indianapolis. in his forty-eighth year.
was q Congregational clergyman whose
name is not widely known beyond Indiana.
except among those who are most familiar
with the great modern work Of organized
charity. But his public service in this
work was 90 signal that his name is en-
titled to permanent public honor. He was
the son of a druggist in Chicago. and began
active life as a travelling salesman for his
father. But ais natural tastes and powers
carried him INTO the ministry. and after o
Passionate of seven years in Wisconsin. he
came to indianapolis. Very soon after his
arrival his professional visits among
the poor disclosed TO him what
he had not suspected-the COM
plete organization of pauperism. de
discovered a family which belonged TO o
clan or tribe known as American gypsies,
who were beggars, criminals. and Migrants.
living in promiscuity and largely multiply
ing. Ii was q connection suoh as Dugdale
described in his Jukes family. This tribe,
widely ramifying aud breeding paupers and
criminals, Mr.. McCulloch carefully traced,
and found It undermining our society lk
devii-grass."
With prompt and clear comprehension OF
the situation. he saw that sentimental aud
merely emotional alms-givlng was foster
ing this evil II becoming a curse 10 soci-
ETY.. and he perceived the profound reason
OF the new system of relief introduced &C
Buffalo in 1878. which assumes that organ
lied pauperism Is an evil which 10
to Be encountered successfully only
by organized charity. At a meet
ing of the Indianapolis Benevolent
1 SOclefy- WllCh nr0DOae1 hOnelRaalU
to disband, Mr.. McCulioch made go power
full. lucid and eloquent an appeal for a con-
tinued organization 10 secure q wiser sys-
TEN of relief already adopted in Buffalo.
Philadelphis and Boston that the society
made him its president and be began the
work. In q little more than n year Mr.. Mo-
Culioch had persuaded his townsmen 10 CO.
operate and the new system was insti-
tinted. Itproposed properly TO relieve desery-
ing cases. to prevent indiscriminate and
duplicate giving: TO make employment the
basis OF relief; TO expose ,mpostors; and to
reduce vagrancv and pauperism. and TO as
certain their true causes. lt invited all
relief-giving societies. whether church So
~cieties. or private or public associations. TO
cooperate with IL. and undertook q
thorough investigation of individual
but a clearing-house of all such agencies,
and of all private charity. Indian
apolis gladly accepted the summons
Protestant and Catholic. jew and gentle,
Al hAo ltto ana
rabbi-all united in the good work. and
money was generously given. Mr.. McCul-
loch lnsIsted that street and door-beggIng
should cease. So-called charity-that is.
ignorant giving TO escape trouble or crafty
an impulse-he denounced AS a pablo
wrong chiefly responsible for the larger
part of the suffering, disease. hunger. mis-
cry, shame. crime and poverty that dis
figure our civilization.
Mr.. mcCuIloch was equally opposed to
public outdoor relief. and bis exhaustive
study of the fact which justified his view
was one of his invaluable services to civili-
cation and humanity. His narrative OF
1.-THE tribe of lshmsel," a clan of paupers, %
familiar to students of the subject. and q
very curious study of our civilization. He
secured the establishment of yards for
work; county ~work-houses for va
grants instead of jails. schools for nurses,
free baths, dime saving and loan associa-
tIons. children's Aid societies. the enact
ment Of q law for boards of childreu's
guardians TO remove them from unit par
ents and to place them In proper homes,
and summer homes for sick children. In
deed. the story of Mr.. McCulloch's life is
like the legend of q good saint. With all
his enthusiasm and devoted energy, he was
q man of great moral and mental self pos
session, of sound Judgment and admin-
istrative skill. of remarkable intelligence
and undaunted courage. and his early
death was q great misfortune. HIS name
may well be cherished. for there is no finer
illustration of that ideal American citizen
ship which answers opposition and ridiculc
with the simple question. Wist We not that
I must be about my Fathers businessf