The morning times., 1895-07-07
Paris Glont de Piete
or Peoples PaWnshop
1t Is Boon to the Needy and Saves Them from the
Shylocks-Washington Will Have a
Better One.

pledge is for one year, but the pledger may
take up his deposit before the expiration, or
he may make nine annual renewals.
DISPOSAL OF THE SURPLUS.
At the end of fourteen months, if an
article is not redeemed or renewed 1t is
sold and should, there he any surplus
due the establishment arising from the
sale il is paid TO the owner upon his appli-
cation within three years. All classes
resort 10 the Mont de Piete-the high, the
low, the victims of extravaganza, as well
as the victims OF poverty.
The pledges are of all descriptions,
ranging from the pendants in a girls
ears to the dresses she Wears, or used 10
Wear, or from a rocking char 10 a frying
pan.
Statistics show that within fifteen
years average the Mont de Piete has re-
ceived ,313, 900 articles, on which it
has advanced about 81, 500 600. Washing
ton, on a population OF about one-eighth
that of Paris, could do a proportionate
charitable business If the local Mont de
Piete We're under government control.
In about the first half century OF its
existence there were on a given day in
pledged in TIE Mont de Piete 3, 10000
articles which were valued at $4,000
600. Anything can be deposited at the
Mont which has proved such blessing 10
the poor and rich OF Paris.
The departure in Washington is one
of quality rather than of kind. 1t is
proposed TO be more liberal with the bor-
rover. There is to be faith between the
loan association and its beneflclarles.
TO BE CHRISTIANIZE ED.
The management OF the loan associa-
tion proposes To Christianize the Mont de
Piete TIE borrower VIII not be obliged
TO sit in row with other applicants
h.
goods offered examined by an officer
of the municipal pawnshop. The poor
servant gin VIII rot be required 10 take
her rings out of her ears in the presence
OF the young, Just-sobcred-up gallant,
who at the same time Offers his gold
watch through the clerks window for
loan.
The poor woman whose husband is in
the hospital viii not be required to bring
her bundle Of clothes to be inspected by an
officer of the Mont de Piete. Nor viii
any Of them be obliged TO pay from TO
] 2 per cent. a month on the value OF the
articles deposited and pledged.
The American and Washington idea is to
let the mantle OF silence and respect for
the misfortunes of the poor.
The officers Of the modern Mont de Piete
visit the homes of the afflicted. There viii
be- no display or publication of private
distress Tears viii cease TO flow at
home. and not in the vestibUle Of a public
building.
Besides the tariff which will be paid TO
the charitable a SIS sociation will not be
one for revenue. II is proposed 10 make II
nine timesleSs than the least eXaction OF the
great French beuefactions. There VIII be
discrimination also between the just and
the unjust, the deserving poor and the
/ poor who viii only become poorer by TINS
means OF relief, paradoXlcal as tins may
seen.
Ii is designed for the present TO limit
loans 10 mortgages on furniture. The
Jewels and solitaire diamonds which are
usually hypothecated by people who have
more means than ash viii be relegated TO
the always open pawnshop. 1t is only
/ in this respect that the Mont de Plete OF
washington viii differ from its great
/ Partisan prototype.