The morning news., 1892-02-21
ROB NEW YORK.
But Beggary Everywhere - Notable
Charities.

Charities.
(Copvrioht, 1892, By the United PressA
NEW YORK, Feb. 20-The man who said
''alas for the rarity of Christian charity"
was a lunkhead, or else he lived in time
when human nature was totally different
thing from what it is to day. The Ameri-
can people in general. like indeed the peo-
pie Of the earth In general, and those of this
great metropolis in particular, are in
the present century literally noted
for their generosity. The per
tunctory charities of this city cost
the taxpayers $4,000 900 annually, and it's
a very extraordinary year in which the
victims of fire, focd and various disasters
do not extract along the sympathetic nerve
quite as much more from the pockets OF the
people.
AS for instance.
1t is the custom In all churches Of nearly
every denomination to take uD collections
at Sunday services. In all Catholic churches,
and in many Protestant houses of worship,
are placed poor boxes, as they are called.
In every respectable barroom--queer term
that-you will find tin box, on which is
labeled the name of some specific charity.
Collectors 60 from, one might al
blDob paJ, nuLlDeIlSoS
with systematic routine from house
to house, asking subscriptions TO guilds, as
sociations, organizations, charitable in their
alleged purpose. 1t is a very cold day when
a subscription paper privately circulated is
not put under the nose and on the desk of
every well-to-do man, whether he be in
profession or mercantile life.
1t is estimated that in the private SUBJ
scription in this city alone for charity, in
which is included of course, the great scheme
of church support, not less than 100000
are annually expended. modest estimate
of the population of this city is l,500, 900, SO
that an annual gift of $4,000 costs less
than $4 apiece. Now, counting the very
poor and the women and children who do
not give. at 1000, 900, it is fair to assume
that 5000 600 are given by the remaining
500, 600. or an average of $40 apiece.
VERY RICH TOWN.
There are doubtless thousands who never
! give dollar.
Other thousands give from 300 to $780,
coo. An interesting feature of giving is
found in the recent action of our very rich
men. There are at least 100 men in New
York city worth $40, 900 900 each. There
are at least 25 worth 20,000,0 600 each. We
know of Is who are estimated at
SAC, ,000, coo each. Gould is put down at
| 500, ,00J 900, the two Vanderbilts-one at
| Sis, 900, 900 and the other at S120, 900, 900,
while the Astor estate is variously estimated
at from 300,000,000 to $400, 900 900.
| Within the past ten years this class Of man
has come surprisingly to the front, with
donations of a most liberal character.
Following the example set bv Commo-
dore Vanderbilt, the virtual founder of the
Vanderbilt family, 81 100000 to found a
Vanderbilt university in the south. the late
William II. Vanderbilt gave to charities,
along the line of medicine and education,
| about s.. sec, 600, while Cornelius and Will
lam K, of the present generation have
literally endowed institutions Of learning
and art.
The Astors. with very little flourish, have
made humanitarian gifts not far this side
of 81, ,O00, 900. D. o. Mills is credited in the
recording angels book with at least $780,
! 600. and many of our Hebrew fellow citi-
zens have given to their synagogues and
their hospitals sums ranging from S25, 900
to 300 900 each.
| BEGGARY EVERYWHERE.
| Decayed merchants, ruined gamblers
| caught sports, bounced politicians, unem-
ployed newspaper men, played-out lawyers,
| ave and many wreck from the Grand
| Army of the Republic, hang about the chief
resorts of their fellows, every day and every
night seeking from whom they may bor-
row. not money with whlch'to re-enter life,
| not sufficiency, but a pittance for drink,
a dime for a lodging, hat, coat, a pair OF
shoes.
Here is where Christian charity is indeed
| a rarity.
It's one thing to put your name down for
s25 or 500 on subscription list; it's one
| thing to give an old-time acquaintance a
! IS or $40 bill it's one thing, when standing
on the very crest Of successful endeavor,
to sling quarter to a beggar; it's quite
another to take your brother by the hand
and TO bear his burdens for him, to give
not only cup Of cold water for momentary
relief, but the solid substanti9lity OF an un-
| life into the mind Of despair, and resturdify
the muscles Of the body corporate. Men OF
success shrink from duty companionship.
They don't care to be seen, they detess ceing
with unkempt, carelessly-clad, extensively
| odored individuals.
know how it is myself,
/ would far prefer TO give $40 through the
mail. or on a subscription list, to the poor
and neglected. than to listen ten minutes
| even 10 the story Of distress.