The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-24
CHARITIES WHEELS MOVING.
THE ASSOCIATION WILL BE READY
FOR WORK BY NEW YEARS.

INT Oh VI Aht
and nm Appeal For Contributions
to Garry on the work.
The wheels of The Charitable Association
are beginning to move. and the probabili-
ty now IS that BY New Years the head
quarters will be formally opened. There
is a certain amount of preliminary work
TO be done by Relief Agent Wakelee be
fore the association can undertake to dis
pense any funds, or, indeed. until it will
have any funds to dispense.
With a view to accommodating a fund,
Mr.. Wakelee has sent out a circular
among the business and professional
classes. 1t states that the association mas
been formally organized and now appeals
to the people for help. The association
is neither political nor sectarian,' it says.
Its object is TO alleviate distress, and to
that end, viii seek to separate the deserv-
ing poor from the professional beggars. 1t
will endeavor not only to render aid where
it is deserved, but will endeavor to secure
employment for those who are able and
willing to work. If the money that is an
nually expended in private charity, much
of which is worse than wasted, could be
distributed intelligently and economically,
the results would be more satisfactory.
1T is impossible for the charitably dis
posed to examine into the merits of each
case presented. A great deal of imposi-
ton is practiced, and the streets of the
city arc infested with professional beg
gars. The worthy and deserving suffer
in silence and obscurity, while the profess
sional beggar obtrudes himself not only
into public places, but into the offices.
stores and homes of our people. The as
ISOLATION seeks, therefore, to accomplish
three things: First TO rid the city of pro-
fessional beggars; second. to give charity
to those who deserve it, and third to Sc
cure work for those who are able and
willing to work.
The circular concludes with an official
statement of the appointment of Mr.. w.
L. Wakelee as relief agent, and an appeal
for subscriptions.
Already the workings of the association
have been given the public in a general
way through the newspapers, and there
are few in the city who do not understand
its objects and the results it expects to
accomplish. Before the appeal was issued
eight gentlemen, among whom was Rev
Father Kelly, sent in their names, to-
gether with checks to cover the fee for
one year Others have manifested q spirit
toward the movement equally as liberal
and 1t Is not expected that much difficulty
will be encountered by Mr.. Wakelee in
soliciting subscriptions. AS soon as the
circulars have had time to reach their
<.r
actively canvassing the city, with the hope
Of raising "a sufficient amount to com
mence work New Years. While the MEM
bership. fee is but SO, the association does
not by any means desire to convey the
idea that no larger sum will be received.
Indeed, it is thought that unless there are
a few larger subscriptions, the work in
tended to be performed Will fail for want
of sufficient means.
No quarters have yet been selected and
this matter will remain unsettled until the
next meeting of council, at which time the
request of the auditing committee of the
association to allow Mr. Wakelee desk
room at the city dispensary, viii be passed
upon. The dispensary is centrally and con-
veniently located for the purpose, and
would make a desirable place in case the
association is not to undertake the keep
ing of a ware room, in which case there
would not be room. Such will not be at
tempted just now, it is said, and the opin-
ion is that the dispensary room could be
used for the purpose without greatly in
commoding that institution. There are
three rooms in the apartments used by the
city dispensary. That facing on Whitaker
street Is the dispensing room. a back room
is used for storing bottles and stock. while
the room facing on Macon street is the Ia
boratory This liz the one in which 1t is
hoped to find desk room for Mr.. Wakelee.
1t can be done without incommoding the
dispensary, IL is said, and will be an item
of economy for the charitable association.
The council will pass on the matter at
next meeting, and while it is understood
the public health committee are not inclin-
ed to view the proposition favora-
bly,, still the fact that the arrangement
would only be temporary Will doubtless
remove all objection.
The selection Of Mr.. Wakelee as agent
took well, especially so with some appli-
cants for aid. He stated that after his
election Monday afternoon there were peo-
pie at mis- house on Hull street early next
morning seeking charity. He kindly In
formed them that ne was just assuming
control and had no available funds on
hand. Indeed the applicants came near
conveying the news of Mr.. Wakelee' s
election to him. Some are puzzled TO
know whether these early calls are to be
the institution in Savannah, or that a
crowd had spotted MIR. Wakelee and were
intending to have the distinguished honor
of receiving the first donation. Since
then, there have been numerous callers
at Mr.. Wakelee's residence, the result be-
ing that he Is placed in somewhat Of a
predicament until subscriptions roll up to
his rescue.
The most implicit confidence IS felt in
his ability to carry on the affairs of the
institution to the satisfaction of all. He
has not made a study OF charitable asso-
cations. but being a gentleman kindly dis
posed, he has noticed the working of the
machinery of such organizations IN Bos-
ton and New York and has valuable IDEAS
on the subject which ne viii inculcate
into the work here. Everything possible
has been done to get the association organ
lied on a practical basis and the promo
tiers now hope the people will rally to their
support and contribute to making the
movement a success.