The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-07
THEY TALK OF CHARITIES.
PLANS OF THE MINISTER'S FOR THE
ORGANIZATION.

fOIhts-SOmc D1GerenceS Regard
ing DetaiIs-Idea of the Mayor Is
That of the MInisters-AH Agree
That an Agent Should Be Appoint
ed-Rev. A. j. Smiths Ideas on the
QuestiOn-What Rev. a. VI. VIII
Iiams Thinks About It-Rev. j. FL.
scruggs the Pioneer in the Move
,ment-Rev. 1. +. Mendes FavOrs 1t
With the Rest-His AdVisement
Conditional.
The members of the committee, appoint
ed day before yesterday for the drawing up
Of plan for the organization of the as
ISOLATED charities of the city, are busted
| individually with the working out of their
own ideas.
1t seems that there will be more than
one plan suggested when the meeting of
the committee is called by the mayor, who
is the chairman. Several of the commit
teemen were seen yesterday. Their views
were in substance Identical, but there
were number of the details of the organ
| ization plan that were not thoroughly in
| harmony.
The idea is general that the organization
should have a relief agent to investigate
AL the cases that come up. This is the
plan as advocated by the mayor before
| calling the meeting at which the commit
tee was appointed. He is of the opinion
| that this agent should have charge of the
disbursements, as well as the work of look
| ing into the applications that may be
made, in order to ascertain whether there
is any fraud intended to be practiced on
| the charitable association. The mayor is
heartily in favor of the organization. and
believes that it would be of great influence
in correcting some of the evils of the
present methods that are employed in the
giving of aims.
Rev. A. J. Smith, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, who is a member of
the committee, says the movement has his
hearty sympathy, and that ne is ready to
devote his energies to its successful con-
summation.
81 favor" he said, "the establishment
of such a system as that which is had in
New York. In that city the organized
charities have been very successful, and
believe that if we should form an organ
]
we'll The best association of this kind in
existence is that in London. That at New
York was modelled after the London as
ISOLATION, and those in the smaller cities
of this country have taken the system as
it prevails at the metropolis for their
guide in their establishment.
Il think dignity and tone would be loan
ed to the movement if a man thoroughly
familiar with the work of dispensing the
charities of such an organization, and who
had had experience in the matter of inves
tigating the cases that make application
for relief could be secured to fill the posi-
ton of agent. The confidence of the COM
munity, and its ardent support for the
| movement could thus be gained, whereas
if one inexperienced, and with fixed asso-
Citations and affiliations in the city, were
appointed to the position the best results
would not be achieved"
Mr.. Smith thinks the best plan for the
membership of the organization would be
to admit every one who might be inclined
to join. All of the churches and benevo-
lent people and societies, of whatsoever
faith, would be made welcome as men,
bers, and in addition to these, any charit-
ably disposed individuals. Merchants, par
ticuarly, and those most often besieged
| by the beggars of the city would be re
ceived into the association. 1t is his
opinion that these would be glad of the
opportunity to join an organization that
would release them from the necessity,
| as il has almost become, of responding to
the demands that are so often made upon
/ them
Rev A NJ Williams of Wesley Monu-
mental church, though not a member of
the committee, is heartily in sympathy
| with the proposal, and believes that its
proper conduct would be productive Of
much good.
Il do not think" he said, chat the right
/ plan for the care and relief of the poor is
/ hit upon in the organization as it is likely
/ to be formed. / would favor the adoption
/ of a system of poorhOuses and work farms
/ TO the exclusion of the charities as now
| praeticed but in the failure of such legis-
| lation, / think the organization of the
/ charities that are now in existence in the
| city would be of great advantage. 1t
! would save the charitably inclined consid-
/ cradle in the duplication OF their almsgiv-
/ ing, and would make the thing business
/ as it should be. 1t is my opinion that the
/ plan as il is in existence in New York is
/ the best that could be found upon which
/ to base the organization of the Savannah
| association"
/ The pioneer in the movement, as it has
/ been agitated before the ministers associa-
! ton, has been Rev. J. H. >scruggs, the
/ pastor of Trinity church. Ever since his
( coming to the city Mr.. Scruggs has had
] the eSta DliShment OF an organized cndTlly
/ association near his heart. He has work
I ed for it before the Ministers Association,
/ and the prospect for the realization of his
/ hopes through the unaided efforts of that
/ body appearing to be but slight, he APP
! pealed to the Savannah Benevolent Asso-
citation. That organization did not seemed
! inclined to take the matter up, so his next
! stroke was with the mayor. Maj Meldrim
! at once fell in with the plan, and ever
since his appeal to him Mr.. Scruggs has
! been more hopeful of the ultimate sue
! cess of the movement.
! 81 am glad to see the matter has been
! taken up as it has" he said Il think its
success is no longer visionary My plan
! for the organization would be the election
| of an executive board that would have
| the superintendent of the work. Under
! 1t should be a man for the investigation
! of all applications that might be made
| for the charity of the organiza ton. This
| man should be perfectly honest and he
should have a thorough knowledge of the
| city and its people His mind should be
| free from bias and prejudice of all kind,
| and the sympathy in his nature should
not outrun his Judgment He should have