The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-28
1T rs BLESSED TO GIVE.

The plan proposed to the city council
by the Associated Charities for the relief
of the unemployed during the winter is
probably as practical as could be devised
at the present time. Circumstances
may induce notifications, but the main
idea is correct-the people must be pro-
tected an the needy must be provided
for.
No man with spark OF seli-respect
will accept charity ii he can avoid it.
The taxpayer objects to an indiscrimiu-
ate and reckless expenditure of the pub
lie funds in the alienation of diotress.
The exercise of good judgment is neces-
cary in emergencies OF the character
now imminent in this city, and the ex.
perience of the past teaches that a sys-
tenn ia imperative if the work OF reliev-
ing the necessities OF the deserving poor
is to be satisfactorily conducted
1t lie better for all commemorative un-
employed as we'll as the citizen who ie
taxed for the temporary support OF these
mon-that work should be provided,
than that a fund should be maintained
for gratuitous distribution. A wood
pile ia more blessed to the contempla.
ton of tho honest toiler than soup
house. 1t is better to give an honsss
remuneration for a fair days labor than
to offer bread to idleness by the hand
of toil-ior the only difference between
the employed who give and the unem-
ployed who receive ia the fortunate OPP
portunity OF the former to earn that
bread by labor of willing hands.
The workingmen of this country do
not ask for charity. What they do ask,
and what they have right to demand.
is the opportunity to earn living in
any capacity that may fit their ability.
Because q man wanders from place to
place seeking employment does not
necessarily imply that he is either q
criminal or beggar. and yet if his
just demand is constantly denied ne
may be driven to choose either Of these
horns of the dilemma that admits OF no
other solution. For the protection of
society, therefore, every hand and every
brain should be engaged in some honest
employment. The people are already
taxed beyond the limit to maintain aims
houses for beggars, hospitals tor the
helpless and penitentiaries for the vi.
cious and depraved. It is our duty 10
ourselves and to humanity to give hon.
est toll every opportunity to produce the
wealth OF which his labor Ia capable.
In the matter i'm medistely under con-
sideration the proposition is to provide
food aud ahelter for those who are will.
ing to give adequate return in labor,
while they are seeking work of u more
remunerative character. This is not
charity; it ia fair dealing hotween man
and man; it is an honest, straightior-
ward contract between those who have
and to spare and those who have not.
Let the good work be begun at once
and let every citizen lend assistance as
his means and influence may prescribe.
There is no reason why the citizen of
Los Angeles should be subjected to the
demands for aims by starving men on
the street corners. There is better
way of administering to the needs OF thu
unfortunate. We believe that the city
council and the Associated Charities are
capable of handling the problem with
satisfaction to the community, and we
are convinced the system to be devised
by the joint committee will meet every
requirement.