The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-11-03
GREAT FALLS RELIEF SOCIETY

MANY of our citizens have but a vague
idea of the purposes and aim OF the
above organization other than what its
name implies. True, its main function
is to dispense charity, but it has other
ends to accomplish. In the General
Statement" which prefaces its consti.
tuition it says:
The general aim Of the Relief society
is. to minimize the evil of pauperism.
This involves "a twofold benefit: l.
Such a betterment of the condition of
the poor as will in many cases raise them
above the necessity of receiving charity;
"a consequent lessening of the general
burden n expense of caring for the
poor.
In the iurtherance of this aim it is
proposed:
|. TO give adequate relief to those in
absolute need.
>. In every case. as far as possible. to
bring the person requiring aid to a con
dition of ~self-support, thus encouraging
a spirit Of self-respect.
>. To inquire into and remove the
causes Of pOrerty-diaease. dirt. igno-
rance, bad habits, unfit dwellings and
surroundings, etc.
4. To give pertinent advice and in.
struction. Often the best help for the
poor is to show them how to help them
selves.
j. Always, when practicable, to pr
vide employment. Give no man a {, nj
that he can earn
q. To thoroughly investigate every ap-
plication for aid and thus protect the
public from imposture.
I. To avoid indiscriminate and duplI.
cate giving, thus encouraging the means
OF charity and discOuraging impostors.
In order that the Relief society may
successfully execute the foregoing plan,
1t is necessary that it shall receive the
cordial and intelligent cooperation Of
the community. In two ways this will
be especially welcome and hopeful:
l. All contributions, whether or money,
clothing or other useful articles, will be
gratefully received and cheerfully &C
counted for.
.. 1t is particularly requested that all
cases OF need be reported to the Relief
society and all applications for charity
referred to the same. Only a general
compliance with this request will make
1T possible to put ar effectual stop to
house-to house and street begging and
to relieve the community Of impostors.
Please to remember this and give no
direct aims, but refer all applicants to
the Relief society. Then if the society
finds the case to be one of genuine need,
adequate provision will be made for it.;
if otherwise, the public is at once re-
lieved Of an impostor.
As will be seen the general aim of the
is to minimize the evil of pau
perism,' and it has certainly taken the
best method to accomplish that end.
The best charity is that which teaches
responsibility and helps those who help
themselves. Such charity, moreover,
goes much further than that which aims
only at relief Of present distress. One
drone will absorb the surplus products
of a dozen workers, but if the workers
help him to become like themselves they
will sooner be rid Of their burden. Char
ity wisely directed aims b put its recipi-
ent on bis feet as soon as possible and
to teach him manly independence so
that he shall not again return for help
unless driven to do SO by hard necessity.
1t does not cultivate the pauper spirit by
lavish assistance, but gives no more help
than is necessary and keeps always in view
the possibility of getting it's benoticiaries
away from the dependent class, that they
may become self-reliant and self
This is the aim of the society and il
its purposes are carried out much good
will result not only to the community
but to the beneficiaries themselves.
People who are anxious and willing to
help themselves deserve to be helped,
but judiciously, 80 that they shall be
strengthened in their honorable ambi-