The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-13
rHx CASE or rHE rooR.


Rev. ID. Q. Garrett Discusses Practical
Methods OF Relief.
A pointed sermon on the subject what
Shall Be Done for the Poor in Seattle %
was preached by Rev. ID. C. Garrett, the
rector, at St. Marks church yesterday
evening. Mr.. Garrett had been making
thorough investigation of the subject. and
had also carefully studied the laws relat-
ing 10 the subject of the discussion be-
tween the city and county authorities.
The conclusions he arrived a. are given in
the following synopsis Of the sermon:
I'm the first place we ask what shall the
county do7 The comfy Is already doing
vast work as directed by the Law. Peo-
pie may criticize what Ii does not do, but
they forget what IL IL doing. Hundreds of
dollars are being paid out every month for
the destitute, and IL IL not the Intention of
the commissioners TO let any worthy per-
son suffer. There is question as 10 the
relation between city and county relief
of poor and sick. The law N explicit
In giving the supintendence Of the poor TO
the county save where the city by charter
has such q power. Has Seattle this power
In o way. optional not mandatory. 10 has.
With the county IL is put as duty, even
as regards non-resldents. in case OF neces-
sity. As q matter OF justice the county
should do this work exclusively. City
people paw 10 per cent. OF the county tax
and IN addition pay city tax. Is q fair to
tax people for the county poor and then
make them pay over again for this pur-
pose by the use of the city money!
Both county aud city authorities have
10 contend with the difficulty of nom
residents. Seattle Is the only city in the
state, am told, that relieves at all. In
all other places the county does IL excsu-
sively. Hence Seattle has been the recep-
tacle for unfortunates from adjoining
towns. and when y person Is little hard
up the tendency has been 10 charge it
up TO the city If possible.
Here the minister cited cases coming to
bis knowledge. and continued:
al believe that both city and county
want TO do the right thing: they don't
want any one to suffer. and when the
county cannot or will not relieve, the city
will. The law should be amended making
IL clearly all county work. and creating the
Office of an overseer of the poor. as is the
case in nearly all states. The commits
sioners have not the time 10 thoroughly
investigate every case.
Next to county aid We have the voIun-
tary agencies Of churches and benevolent
societies The Ladies' Relief Society has
been a power for good IN this city, bur now
IL lacks funds aud has all il can do to care
for the orphans home. The city mission,
Tod piees IL. II IecuinE many men every
day. Other agencies are active and many
individuals are freely bestowing their
aims, but the danger ss that these agencies
may overlap and thus create waste aud en-
courage fraud; aud again. the mere giving
Of food, however necessary, does not 90 TO
the root of the trouble. There must be
cooperation of all methods under one
central Office, which is at the same time q
place OF investigation and record. Such is
the Bureau of Associated Charities. or
ganized on the principle Of the best chari-
table work in the Old and New World
both The Board of Friendly Visitors as
an auxiliary TO the bureau aims by going
into the homes OF the distressed IS q
friend not only 20 relieve. but to cure pow
erty. Ii imperfect in its methods and re-
suits IL is due 10 the lack Of support on the
part OF the people. IL should be the clear
ing house for county, city, church and
every kind of organized relief.
This, however, should not prevent tndi-
ysaual benevoience, but stimulate il.
Many think that because they give pit
lance 10 the bureau or the city mission
they are ahsolved from personal care for
the poor. Others get out of ail giving by
using the name of the bureau. This Is
wrong. IL ought 30 be the happiest privi-
lera for every one to give his time. his
means, his very life in driving sorrow out
oil the lives of others"
The preacher closed with an earnest ap
peal TO remember the poor.