The Helena independent., 1893-12-15

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themselves as they will shortly do |
Helena. Speaking of what should b
dono in Helena, a friend calls Tim lNpx
rENDEST's attention to the very efflcien
organization Of associated charities |,
Des Moines, Iowa. Tho scheme Of or
ganizntion 10 ~ follows;
The Associated Charities OF De-
| Mojnes Is a society OF benevolent indi
viduals, having no connection with
the city government or with
any religious denomination. Its
special work is to prevent pauper.
Ism, beggary and crime by bestow
ing needed relief to the worthy and
industrious poor during the winter
months, when many are out OF employ
ment. and when little judicious aid In
providing necessary food, fuel and cloth
ing will relieve their present suffering,
and often prevent their permanent ruin.
This society was tho outgrowth OF the
Dos Moines Woman's Relief society.
The officers OF the Associated Charl-
ties are president, vice. president, Sec
retary, treasurer, a board OF twenty nine
directors, or counselors, as they are
called. composed of ladies' and gentle-
men, sufficient number OF district Wis
itors, and an under-secretary or custo-
dian in charge Of the central office, who
Keeps the accounts Of all donations re-
ceived and all benefaotions bestowed,
distributing them only upon the order
OF the district visitors. All these officers
serve gratuitously except the under-sec-
retary, who devotes his or her whole
time to this service. and who receives a
small salary during the months em-
ployed.
To accomplish its work thoroughly
and Systematically the whole city is di-
vided into nineteen districts, with two
or more visitors to each, who go from
house to house and become personally
acquainted with the circumstances and
character Of each family or person re-
quiring aid.
Tho heroic work OF the association is
done by the members OF the visiting
committees. All appeals for help are
first reported to these visitors, who i'm
medlately proceed to investigate the
circumstances Of the parties making Pc
tition for help. In this way no misrsp-
resentation is possible, as the visitors
generally are fully acquainted with the
wants Of their districts. But there are
many who are too modest to ask for
help. These also are looked after by
the visitors. A little discreet inquiry
enables these men and women to know
The straits to which any family or indi-
ridual may be reduced. To those who
are needy but do not ask for help relief
Is always extended.
The work that has been performed by
these committees is really wonderful.
There are women-and they belong to
Ihe best social circles in the city-who
have canvassed the districts assigned
10 them from one end to the other, and
Ire acquainted with the circumstanc ces
'f all within it's bounds. In the lower
parts OF the city, the districts in which
\ great many fallen women are congre-
gated the investigation has also been
thorough, and the hand of hel lpfulness
has been extended to many. OF this,
however, little is revealed, SO quietly is
Ill the work done by the committee.
The Associated Charities has done
me thing that the people are especially
thankful for. 1t has asked every one to
efuse to give to personal beggars. The
people are instructed to refer all beg
'ars to the headquarters of the assooia-
ion. This is relief to citizens who
lave hitherto been beset with poor per
ons and cripples asking aims on street
orners Of every chance passer-by. For
his alone the citizens have felt like
generously to the sssocia
ion.
This, it seems to us, 10 the right scope
or such work everywhere, and it's sue
ess in Des Mones warrants like union
l Helena and other cities OF the north
est. =