Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-22
HOW CHARITY is BESTOWED.
Tho Method by Which tho Needy Are
Given Assistance.

The Method by Which tho Needy Are
Givsn Assistance.
To ne Editor of he DisDdtch:
Some time since noticed in your paper
a letter from q lady well known IN this
city for her connection with philanthropic
and charitable work, in which she re-
ouested that the businessmen of our city
and any others who are accustomed to be-
stow charity on street beggars refrain
from the practice and let their aims go
into other channels. Now, / appreciate
the wisdom of this request. and | write to
ask something about the organized work
of charity here. If / were to meet a men,
dicant who appeared to me to be genu-
inc object of charity 4 would be glad, IN
stead of bestowing help where 1t was
really not best TO do so, TO be able to
direct the individual to the parties who
would investigate the case, and II worthy,
give a little assistance. lt IS bard to turn
coldly away from fellow being who il ap-
parently in need and not render any aid
whatever, and yet TO give aims to any and
all applicants would certainly tend to Gu
courage street beggar5 TO an extent that
would not be creditable to our city. Any
information that you can give in regard to
this matter will be thankfully received by
X. II. 4.
The lady referred 10 in the above CON-
mun;cation is Mrs. William II. Peasants,
Secretary and General Manager OF the So
cisty of Associated Charities.
IL Is exceedingly desirable to get nd OF
the ANNOYANCE of street-begRars, and 20
accomplish this was one of the objects OF
the aims of this society. That 1t has been
productive Of much good in this respect
does not admit of a doubt, and with the
hearty co-operation of our citizens IL will
soon become a thing Of the past. Many OF
those who are thus going the rounds Of the
streets. begging from house to house, are
also receiving charity from one or more
of the charitable organizations Of the city,
thus imposing upon the kindness OF heart
OF thost whose sympathies respond to such
appeals for ard. IL was one OF the prime
objects Of this organization TO prevent this
duplication. often triplication OF aims. by
Investigation of all cases that were brought
before II and exposing them. Many have
thus been shown unworthy or exposed as
frauds.
The society places in the hands of all
who have subscribed 10 1t blank cards di-
rected to the secretary, on which the
holder writes the name and address OF the
applicant. and then mails it. When this
is received the machinery OF the society 10
put In motion to ascertain whether the APP
plicant be worthy Of charity. The result
is then given to the one who sends the
card, and If worthy 1t is known that their
aims are we'll bestowed. Very few if any
cases are so urgent that they cannot wait
for day or two tor this investigation. II
persons would refer all applicants to this
society it would very soon stop street beg
cling entirely. The worthy would report
at the Office and the unworthy, as has
been heard in moro than one instance,
pronounce it bumbug." because they
had been exposed by it. This is one OF
the highest compliments which could be
paid to il. The society deserves the
hearty aid and cooperation OF our people.
1t is doing good work.