The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-24
A VALID

While we understand the almost i'm
possibility of distributing relief funds
among the unemployed in such a way
as to satisfy everybody and arouse no
hostile criticism, 1t seems to US that
the criticism of the method adopted,
Of payment in commodities instead of
in money, is thoroughly we'll founded.
1t is right that, in the use of the small
sum which is all that we have avail
able for the purpose, every possible
safeguard and precaution against
abuse should be adopted. This has
been done and nobody finds fault. The
selection Of the persons to be relieved
and the distribution of funds have been
placed in worthy hands. We know Of
no organization so fitted for the work
as the Associated Charities, and no
mar who could be better trusted to
bear the responsibility and discharge
the duty with absolute fidelity and up
rightness han Mr.. Jackson. We be-
lieve, also, that it was proper and nee
essary to disregard the request that
OAAS AC p1CN IAA1A4S WdSC 1dlS aIIlOLtS
those regularly employed should be
paid. The fear that a smaller pay
ment would affect the general average
OF wages seems to us to be not we'll
founded. This is a special case. and
special cases do not make laws. There
is little or no danger that wages paid
to the unemployed will be made a.
standard for ordinary occupations, and
1t is the plain duty Of everybody con-
nected with this work to make the
city's small resources &C as far as
possible. At the best, according to
the plan adopted, this SO, 600 will serve
only to employ LOCO men for ten days,
or, according to the scheme accepted,
300 men for a little more than a month.
1t would have been scarcely less than
criminal to appOrtion it differently and
exhaust it earlier for the sake Of ad-
herring to the wage scale that con-
Germs regular employment and has
nothing on earth to do with the relief
Of the distressed.
When it comes, however, to the pay
ment for services rendered, we believe
that, on every ground, those now I'M
employed have right on their side
hen they protest, as many Of them
10, against payment in kind. We
can see, indeed, no good and sufficient
reason why this system should be
adopted. The relief measures taken
are not intended as a charitable con-
to paupers, and ought not to
be degraded to hat level. They con-
template furnishing work to men both
able and willing to work. and Tins
keeping them in the status of working
men and not Of dependents. Now, when
a man works he is entitled to be naid
Tor IT and to use his in
such manner as will best serve his in
terests. If this empIoyment wera oop
eral' n there were no sitting of
worthy from unworthy applicants. one
can understand why such preca11tion
should be taken; but, with the whole
matter in the hands of the Associated
Char1t1es, n with all persons barred
from the benefits Of this work except
those who have been residents of ST
PauI Tor six months, and whose Cir
cumstances are known to the secretary
OF the Associated Charities. It seems
unnecessary to hedge the b~enefaction
about with further restriction. and TO
treat the individual as If he were a
spendthrift or a beggar who could not
De trusted to use a few dollars for his
own best advantage.
1t Is probably the case with most of
THESE unemployed that they can spend
these little earnings to far better ad-
vantage than any n else could spend
the same for them. Most men ont of
work have incurred small obligations to
tradesmen, or it may be that thew are
a little behind with their rent. or that
the payment Of a few dollars will save
their homes from mortgage f~orecIo-
sure. Wh.< should not the deserving
W-orkingman, who alone can pass the
scrutiny Of the distributing author
tiles, receive the little wage and use
1t where it will do him most good. in
stead of getting an order for groceries
or dry goods Or coal? Both his seIf-in-
terest and the preservation of his self
respect would seem to urge this
>hange. Against payment in kind the