The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-03-09
ARROGANT BENEVOLENCE.
Consideration of Some of the Phases of Or
ganixed Charity.


ganized Charity.
Every once in a while there is q
wordv war, any amount of i'll feeling
anu any quantity of public scandal
| about benevolent societies of various
sorts Well-measing and kind-hearted
people are dragged into it. some of
them coming out with battered reputa-
tons and very sore hearts, while others,
elated by what is often a dishonorably
won victory, are more arrogant and in
solent than ever
1t is very serious question in the
minds of many persons whether there
should be any so-called monopoly in the
dispensing of charity Benevolent peo-
pie choose their own ways and their
own subjects for this kind of work.
While there are, without doubt, many
frauds and impostors who fatten upon
the goodwill of the generous, it is u
matter that would bear discussion,
whether the insolent and arrogant au-
tocrat who believes in no benevolence
but his own is not in fact, quite as
much of an impostor when he mas
querades under the name of charity
as those whom he so roundly berates.
There are in existence some so-called
charity associations whose charity
is colder than the arctic regions. These
people, under benevolent designation,
are nothing more or less than agents of
an inquisition of the most unjust and
impcrtinent sort They dispense no
charity whatever themselves, but pry
and question, cross-questiou and brow.
beat out Of the unfortunate all of their
private affairs, and then, II so be that
the case seems to appeal TO their idea OF
need, they may condcscend TO recon-
mend the unfortunates to somebody or
some organization that may or may not
relieve them. 1t knows nothing what
ever of the claims of honest, sensitive
or independent poverty
The applicant must crawl metaphor
ically grovel, at their feet and submit
to all of the cross-eXamining that curl
Gus and prying souls can devise. Fail
ing to do this or protesting in any way
against answering inquiries about mat
tiers that are really none of their bust
insult even to breach, and that form of
arrogant assurance that they call dig
nifty forthwith takes umbrage, and the
applicant is not only refused aid, but is
blacklisted, so to speak, and finds it inn
possible to obtain assistance from quar-
ters where otherwise help would imme-
diately be forthcoming.
IA r l.,
diligently and dclcately mind other
peoples business and act as inquisitor
general for some of these outrageously
toploftical associations. Human nature
is radically weak and imperfect, and
these eminently human elements come
out to their worst advantage when used
in the fashion just mentioned. And
the worst of all these so-called charities
is, that they not only will not recognize
any charitable association that does not
come under their wing, but any indie
pendent one that processes its ability
and determination to stand out and be
separate from this centralized tyranny
is the object OF untold abuse. Its
methods are criticised, its honor ques-
toned, and, failing to prove anything,
there is that silent and significant ele-
waiting of the eyebrows and Struggling
of the shoulders whenever this rival
concern is mentioned, which is, without
exception, the most damnable form of
SANDER
1t needs no prophet, neither the son
of n prophet, to decide that a charity
4 L l..
inquisitorial inquiries, and afterward
leave the needy applicant to starve or
freeze while some deliberations are TAX
ing place, is no charity at all.-N s..
| Stowell, in n. Y. Ledger.