The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-11
ONLY REAL CHARITY
THAT DISTRIBUTED ALONG. THE
LINES OF CAREFUL ORGAN
lzATION AND WORK
HOW IT WORKS IN ST. PAUL

OF the Various Officers suhmit4ad
--Rev. s. G. Smith Paid tho co.
pifment of Fourth Re-eIect,on
to the Presidency.
Ihe active interest that the men,
pers or the corporate body known as
the Associated Charities Of ST. Pau;
nave In that institution was demon
strated yesterday afternoon when IL
was SHOWN that the large office In the
mayors suite at the city hall was not
capable of holding the ladies and gen
tleiheh VINO had come together for the
purposes or the annual meeting of tba
association. The meeting was not
large, but at once representative of the
interests allied in the name OF charity
ana included all creeGs and conditions
OF men and women. The meeting was
largely given up to Listening to
routine reports and the extension of
congratulations to the varied interests.
The president, Rev S. G.. Smith. was
IN the chair, and during the meeting
he was paid the compliment Of fourth
re.elect1on to the presidency, the other
OIHcerS being also reelected
In calling the meeting to order DR..
smith desired to say incidentally that
the work of the association during the
past year had been quite as satisfac-
tory as any of the preceding years,
and that it had demonstrated very
clearly that organized, scientific char
ity was the only real charity.
Secretary 7. A. Abbott, Of the board
of trustees, called the roll Of the allied
charities and it was shown that there
were thirty-five of the individual hod-
les represented. Mr.. Abbott then read
the report Of the board Of trustees. In
part as follows:
1t may be well to review the objects sought
20 be accomplished and, at the risk of be-
Ing tiresome, refresh our minds as to the
need OF this machinery.
First is investigation. We have now records
OF over 1900 cases and have carefully IN
Yestigated more than 1000, of which, over l, 200
have been added during the year just closed
This means that all measures Of relief by the
city and county. or by the different charitable
bodies, are carefully administered usually with
wisdom, so that money paid in taxes or vol.
unfairly contributed for the relief OF the
poor, the sick, the suffering is well spent;
that no one in authority has a crowd of un-
worthy dependents who are fed at the public
crib and supported in idleness; that none are
recipients Of bounties from several (differenO
sources, while others are neglected by ALT
that the poor are not pauperized and so hand
1capped in the struggle of existence.
Let me cite two instances of what is being
accomplished: The chief almoner Of our city
and county is the board OF control. which
last year expended nearly $4,000. $50 SIS. O5l
for provisions and fuel alone This body as
you know, is non-political and non partisan
and its work is so admirable that no deserving
person is omitted from the ministratons 1t
has been our duty to serve it by investigating
applications fer relief. and our intimate and
cordial relations with it have excited the
wonder and envy of our sister organizations
in other cities. Now note the result: Less
money per capita appropriation is expended
IN Ramsey county for out door relief than in
any county of like size and surroundings in
the country. This per capita has so decreased
since 1892, when we were organized, that as
compared with other cities, we now spend
66 per cent while formerly we spent 100 per
cent 1t total expenses OF the Associated
Charities were now added to the outlay OF the
board of control, each citizen Of ST. Paul
would still be taxed less than the citizens OF
any other town in the United States SINH
lary situated For these reasons we be-
lieve that If all our money and energy were
spent in investigation alone they would be
well spent.
But, besides Investigations a good share of
time and money is spent in friendly visiting,
of which you already appraised.
This is the second line along which we
opened our energy and income. The third Is
provident savings whose object is to tsach
the value and virtue Of thrift and to show by
direct example how quickly cents grow to
dimes and dimes to dollars.
FRIENDLY VISITING.
In directing the acceptance of the re-
port DR.. Smith said that he wished 1t
to be understood that the board by no
means assumed credit for all of the
work performed and desired particular
ly to commend the work of some OF
the minor bodies.
Miss Clara Sommers made the re-
port for the Friendly Visitors. She
said in part:
The modern idea of charity teaches that
charity lies in the prevention and cure OF
pauperism rather than in giving material
aid This aim the friendly visitor attempts
to accomplish by seeking out the poor. visit
ing them, and giving FER friendship. he
growth Of this movement in this city has
been slow so far as N mbers are concerned
but judged by the kind Of work done. rather
than by the number Of workers. We h-vs
every cause for congratulations.
All the desds ard kindness and love VIII n
one friend does TO another are done by the
friendly visitors for their poor friends, and
in all their intercourse there never is a, d
never can be any thought OF giving aims.
SECRETARY GUTRTDGE'S FIGURES.
The general secretary, Mr.. Gu'rdge, in
his report amongst other things, said:
During the past year we investigated 1871
cases of need, of whom GAG were new. Dur
ing the previous year the corresponding
figures were 1903 and Gel; statement which
shows less distress last year than the pre-
ceding year.
'EOf the e46 new cases which came to US
"a were not in need; besides this % were
false addresses, a plan sometimes resOrted to
by undeservng applicants when they dis
cover an Investigation is to be made Thus
1T Of the CAS- 20 per cent, required nothing.
It is sometimes very difficult. almost impossi-
BILE to trace the underlying causes OF the
distress Those which frequently appear.
however, are we'll known: IntemperGn ca, i'm
providence or extravaganza, laziness or SHIFT
lessness, inefficiency or brainlessness and un-
wise philsnthrophy or giving without char ty.
The highest expression Of charity is that
whose purpose it is to prevent pe1p,e from
coming 10 want This the kssCCats d Charities
aims to do by its parlor c)nfere &C. md IL
its departments CT provident savings and
friendly visitors.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
D. r. Noyes moved the adoption Of
the report of the nominating commit
tee on officers for the ensuing year and
the secretary was instructed to cast
the ballot OF the association for the
following list:
President, DR.. S. G. Smith; vice pres
ident, Rev. j. T. Dolphin; treasurer.
e. W. Peet; secretary, IT. a. Abbott:
board of trustees, T. A. Abbott, Rev.
J. f. Dolphin, J. f. Jackson. Mrs. c.
G.. Higbee, Rev. J. J. Lawler. d. r.
Moves, E. w. Peet. P. NJ. Kerst, Rev.
S. G. Smith, Mrs. G. B. Young.
Treasurer f. w. Poet made a brief
burt very satisfactory report. He show
ed that the association received 1881
during the past year and had dis
bursed it all With the exception Of $40,
which still remained in the treasury.
The following delegates to the state
meeting of Associated Charities. to be
held at saltwater. Oct. Is, were named:
w. w Wilson, A. w. Gutridge, Mrs.
G.. B. Young, Mrs. H. s. Fairchild,
Georoa Gerlacb Mrs c. =. Severance