The morning times., 1895-12-11
With A new CONSTITUTION
Associated Charities Adopt One
and Elect New Officers.
Work to Be Continued on the Old
Lines for II Time-Interesting Ad-
dress by Secretary Wilson.

The new constitution of the Associated
Charities of the District uf Columbia was
adopted last evening at a meeting of that
body at the Fourth Presbyterian Church,
its lecture room having been kindly Ten
dered for that purpose by the Rev. Mr..
Kelly its pastor. Mr.. +. l.. Moore, one Of
the directors, presided.
The attendance was large, considering the
weather, and manifested great deal OF
interest in the new laws.
The constitution was first read as a
whole and then by sections. The document
was adopted in all important features, just
as IL came FROM the Committee which pre-
pared IL. 1t was read by Miss Spoffurd, Of
the committee un revising the constitution.
The specific object uf the constitution is
to make the charities not alins-giving
society, but one which viii bring into
harmony all the charitable organizations
OF the city, Ia ascertain all the deserving
cases, to elevate the dependent poor morally
by eXacting service for what is given them,
and TO SD district the city as to secure
perfect registration IF all worthy cases.
There Is provision for the usual number
of officers. the city authorities being at
the nominal head of the organization. 1t
states specifically that there shall be no
proseIyting done by the agents OF the
society.
The resident clergy and officers OF
charitable Institutions are made honorary
members. The regular members are to he
charged an annual fee OF 50, other MEM
bers TO be so constituted on the payment
OF 81, but without a vote.
The city shall be divided into districts
in which what will be known as division
conferences shall work, such conferences
TO be parts of the body. They will consist
of ten members, each of whom are TO be Sc
fected by the parent body. Each con-
ference, however, shall elect its own
chairman. There is provision made also
for what will be known as friendly
visitors" these to be in touch with the
various conferences. An annual report OF
the conference must also be made.
When the constitution had been adopted,
DR.. j. II. Bradford called attention to
the fact that ii had nowhere made refer
ence to the giving OF a single dollar in
charity" He said that the times were
pressing many poor people and that he
knew of several instances, one of which, a
most piiiable case, he detailed. This case
was relieved by him out of funds that re-
main in the old subdivision of the charities
to which he belonged. .
This brought up discussion as to how
the immediate relief was to be provided.
1t was the general opinion that the work
should lie continued on the old lines in the
various subdivisions until the new con-
stitution and by laws were in working
order.
An interesting address was made by the
new secretary, Mr. Wilson, on the points
covered in his recent interview published
in the Evening Times.
Officers were elected as follows: Presi-
dent. F. L. Moore; vice presidents, 8. W
Woodward. DR.. w. Z. Parsons. Judge A.
B. Hagner, Rev. DIR. 8. 8. Newman Gen
s. 8. Yoder, John Joy Edison, and C. v.
Church. Mr.. Moore declared his inability
to serve on account of other work
of similar kind and his general business
engagements. Mr.. 8. W. Woodward was
then elected in his place.