The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-03
PAINE ON CHARITY
Great Gran dson of the Noted Infidel
Speaking in Chicago.

Chicago. Feb. 3-Before an assemblage
which crowded Plymouth church Robert
Treat Paine, the Boston leader of organ
lied philanthropic work, yesterday after
noon delivered his first lecture to a Chi
ago audience on Associated Charities,
and used the language quoted above MT
Paine had the constant sympathy Of his
audience throughout his address. His re-
marks appeared to appeal to the practi-
cal sense of his hearers, as well os to their
hearts, and they were received with re-
peated applause.
He declared that Associated Chari-
ties" simply meant the appliance of bust
and systematic help to the needy, pro-
vided work for the unemployed, and by
means of the labor test" sifted the wor-
thy from the unworthy. 1t is alike con-
cerned in the repression of impostors and
beggarS and in the friendly helping OF the
Mr.. Paine has only the warmest words
of praise for the charitable impulses of
Chicago. But he said he believed this
city was oveFriden with pauperS, whose
bringing here had been paid for by an ill
directed charity. The solution of Chi
cago's problem of poor relief depended
chiefly, he said, on the application of the
same business principles to charity as had
made Chicago the great industrial center
it is.
speak of Chicago, but would do so with
absolute candor, trusting to his audience
to take exception to anything which 1t
had better knowledge than himself.
The movement to organize charities
he said began in LONDON in 1888, prompt
ing all the millions that had been given
away in England, pauperlSm was on the
increase The movement was pushed by
Lord Shaftesbury John Morris and Miss
Octavia Hill. 1t spread to America, max
ing its first appearance in Buffalo 1t
was next taken up by Philadelphia, and
third by Boston. 1t now extends all over
the land from coast to coast.
THE success in Boston was due to
hearty cooperation of all charities ana
the eXertion Of personal endeavor. We
learned to investigate, gather information
and preserve it for future use. We now
have d biography in Boston of every
needy person who has ever applied for
aid. This information is accessible, and
drives out frauds and professional beg
gars, and renders lying no longer profta-
BILE.
But we are not only interested in this
negative work of giving helpful relief In
general we applv the labor test TrxceDt
in emergencies no money is given which
is not earned. Our objects are four in
number:
''One-To relieve immediate distress.
Second-Fo prevent unWise almsgiving.
"Third-TO raise those whom we aid to
a position of independence.
"Fourth-To allow no children to grow
into pauperisrn.
II have found in my experience that
need immediate relief, and should receive
more than is usually given them. about
20 per cent need temporary relief, which
should be administered, without causing
a loss of self-respect; about II per cent
are impoSterS, for whom the labor test
is sufficient; and the remaining 80 per
work.
THE last case is the hard one, but I
beileye the business men of Chicago can
devise a remedy. 1 believe that good
times are coming, now that the secretary
OF the treasury is to come out of Chica go.
There IS much opportunity for personal
create, but should break down barriers
between the rich and poor The great
battle OF civilization win not in the flu
ture be fought in the palaces of the rich
but IN the cottages of the poor