The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-26
THE SALVATION ARMY.

The disclosures following the fehn'sas
OF Commander Baiiington Booth from
leadership OF the Salvation Army In Amer
ica show II TO be one OF the most remark
able organisations in the world. il wouid
seem almost incredible that a novernsnt
such as this, with its hundreds OF thou
sands OF followers. and great accumnsA-
ton OF property. should have remained
for so many years under the almost sbso-
lutte control Of one family.
Tho movement In maintained entrer
upon nicleIs in this country. and tho CHAR
ecter OF the soldiers" abroad would IN
dictate that It Is elsewhere supported oy
the mites OF the poor. Occasional De-
quests have been made. but not OF con-
siderable sum. yet the property In this
country alone is said 10 be worth sfV"vVo.
This is probably an exaggeration. Out IL
is evidently OF large amount and STANDS
in the name absolutely Of the COMMANDER.
What provision is made for the transfer
of title In case OF death is not publicly
known. and so long as the donors and 'ne
subordinate officers are content IL wouid
be the business of nobody. except On the
score Of public policy.
Such . condition OF Affairs. even the
existence of such an organization subject
to no corporate law. threatens 10 bring on
a scandal The evident sincerity IN the
work and the presumed good faith OF the
present managers do not obviate the ne
csssity OF prudent measures for the avoid
auce OF a suspicion that the great tunds
are devoted entirely for the purpose 70
which they are credited.
The avowed purpose OF the Salvation
Army Is one 10 which no one need take
exception, whether or not he entireay
agrees with the permanent benefits fol-
lowing such a system of prossiyting- The
humble workers In It's ranks often display
genuine virtues. and their voluntary SUD-
lection TO ridiculs and discomfort IN q
cause they profess dlsarms condemnation
on the part of those who ara willing TO
overlook the faults of the system for the
occasional good IL may accomplish. Feed
ing the hungry. providing shelter for the
homeless and improyising work to meet
temporary necessities are humane pur-
poses. which have appealed successfully
10 the good hearted all over the country.
But the system OF eleemosynary relief Is
open to many objections: and the re-
llgious features of tho movement DO not
commend themselves altogether, even to
tho most p!ous.
fknf
subordinate officers are. a very large sum
OF money must be spent In keeping up Of
fees, paying the salaries of the numerous
grades OF officers, and the travelling ex-
penses OF inspecting members OF the gov
ernins body. Tho Cact that 5000 a year
is drawn from the United States for the
benefit of the English branch is evidence
that money il being taken from our own
neoessitous poor to be spens In some
shape upon the work in another country.
The reason for this is not manifest.
A very significant incident In the re-
movai OF Commander Booth is his promise
TO consult leading New York citizens as
To the disposition OF the property SO gem
erously donated by them: and any attempt
20 transfer IL to their trgsteeship may
bring out the provisions by which the
Army's property Is preserved 10 the or
ganixstion upon the death or removal OF
It's commanders.
The people of Seattle. whose local Army
has been an active factor In every period
OF distress. have no reason 10 ind fault
x4th anyfhEpU that has kaay, sfeoforaa IN
It's operations here. The soldiers are
treated with more than usual courtesy
and consideration. and other charitable
organizations have not hesitated to CO.
operate with it. 1t is. We repeat. an ex-
traordinary organization: and IT'S grow
ing wealth and Increasing numbers make
81 an object OF watchfuI interest