Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-29

often the case when several charities
afe being conducted separately. Out
sice OF the church organizations the
only other society now doing charity
work to any extent In the city is the
various circles of the Kings Daughters,
whose help is of u somewhat different
character from ours, and with whom we
are in close touch-co operating with
each other
as stated in my last report, the great
need in Norfolk is employment adapted
10 women and children. For men able
10 work during the past seven or eight
months there has been but little excuse
for ideness. Those disposed to work
could find it to do. but, unfortunately.
there are those who prefer 10 be idle.
anu again. there are those who spend
their earnings in drink-in both cases
ieavinE their families 10 suffer or de-
pendent upon others. What to do with
these cases has been, and is. an en-
barraSsing question. Our rule has been
TO decline help to families when there
Is a man in the family able to work,
nut we cannot adhere to 1t at all times.
women and children must not be al
lowed to perish because they have a
worthless husband or father. There
can be no greater aflliction to q family
Than lazy or drunken husband or
father. Better far he were dead. for
vide for them, but consumes what they
obtain from other sources. and besides
depriveS them of the sympathy and
help that they would otherwise receive.
Whit we need is Il workhouse, and
laws enacted that will consiSn men to
them who Will not support their fami-
lies when in their power to do so. In
my opinion there is no greater crime
that Il man can be guilty OF than fail
man who is able 10 work and will not.
and who when he does work Will spend
his money in saloons rather than for
his family, thereby depriving them OF
the necessaries OF life, should be pun
ished; and ii our legislators Will enact
II law for the protection of wives ana
children in this respect they will con-
fer Il great good upon all mankind.
have no changes TO suggest in the
way OF doing the work. l do not see
that we can do it any more effectually,
or economically with the means ut our
command. We have every possible pre-
caution taken by our visitor to see that
those in real need are furnished help:
and yet. us stated, when there are
doubts, to give to the applicant the
benefit of the doubt. What we need to
make our work more effective is more
general cooperation on the part Of the
citizens. y very small per cent. OF the
population have Identified themselves
witt the association either as members
or contributors.
To our faithful friends who have
stood by us we are deeply grateful, and
return sincere thanks. we are also in
debted to the press OF the city for the
hearty cooperation given us. and |
take this opportunity OF returning
thanks to those associated with me in
the management of the affairs of the
association.
You will now be called upon to elect
officers for the ensuing year, and again
beg to assure you that 1t will give
me pleasure to be relieved of the DO.
sition of president. l have now served
the association for seventeen years
ever since its organization; besides a
new name and new energy may bring
to the association new influence and in
crease its usefulness.
Respectfully submitted
JOHN l.. ROPER,
President