New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
DOING GOOD BY STEALTH
SOME CASES OF UNosTENTATIOUs BENEv-
OLENCE AMONG THE NEW-YoRK POOR

publicity to some instance of benevolence, unos-
tentatiously and systematically carried on for
years by the man who has suddenly had great
ness thrust upon him. There are many noble
souls in this city who. while carrying on sys-
ten of benevolence carefully evolved through
sympathetic study Of the condition of the poor,
have an emphatic objection to being written
las one who loves his fellow men," These
worthy dispensers of true charity deprive the
world through their objection 10 publicity in
any FORM of a good deal of genuine inspira-
ton. But, in spite Of all precautions, a tale of
this sort will and then come to public
notice and win for the unostentatious giver the
everlasting esteem OF those who become pos
sessed of the secret.
Perhaps there IS no time when man feels
more keenly the lack of money than when he
finds himself rightly or wrongly, accused of
crime Perfect rs the system of justice should
be and as the struggle of centuries has tried to
make it. the fact remains that money can secure
the service which is most likely to result in free
dom. Lawyers who help poor folk are not un
common but the strangest case of such quiet
benevolence is that of a wealthy man who
makes il the chief business Of his life to see
that all murderers have the best counsel. This
good man does not himself believe in the justice
Of capital punishment, and fights it whenever he
can do so. 1t is not unnatural to suspect that ne
opinion, unjustIy executed; but he speaks
If his work and resents any mention of it, so
that the facts as to the origin of this system are
sufficiently vague to encourage fancy. 1t is
known, however, that whenever man is ar
rested for murder this finds out. through
hs agents. whether not the accused has the
money to hire counsel. If it is found that the
prisoner is poor, his is given into the hands
OF lawyers who warned not to divulge the
n Of no xKrbo XHiII1l thairh Tta
men whose aid is secured are those of high
standing, able to take every advantage of legal
quibbles-in fact, of the stamp which insures to
the accused almost more than the right the law
is supposed to give to man until he is proven
guilty. The philanthropist who has this curious
lobby paid in one instance for three trials for an
accused murderer. and eventually secured the
prisoners release. Every precaution has been
taken to prevent his benevolence becoming
known; the secret was found out only because
to keep one of such magnitude for any number
CT years was impossible. But even now there
few who know the truth.
BENEVOLENT BAIL COMMISSIONER
Another instance of quiet benevolence carried
by a man who carefully sought TO avoid the
lublicity of thanks is that of a bail com
missioner who for years has not only waived
has fee in cases which seemed to him deserving
but has induced friends to stand as sureties for
the accused. Only in one instance did the re-
leased prisoner fail 10 appear for trial. where
upon the bail commissioner paid the necessary
aelount out OF his own pocket but Gid not on
that account cease his charities. His wife col
laborates as far possible, and expects him to
bring TO his own house any prepOssessing child
whose mother has been arrested for drunken
ness the like-any child, indeed, for whom
there seems to be no place at the station house.
he baKy nj. hi IL
md frequently call his attention to cases which
be might not otherwise discover His benevO-
lence is the more remarkable in that he care
fully cultvates gruff manner and is intensely
annoyed by thanks of any kind. He recognizes
neither church charitable institution, but
simply goes his rough way. stunning
publicity far more carefully than ne would the
pague.
Physicians are continually practising quiet |
benevOlence; this theme certainly needs no
elaboration. In connection with medicine how
ever, it is in order 20 note the fact that people
of wealth, who fear the approach of some dis |
ease, already it's prey, who have lost |
friends relatives through it. not infrequently
send special help to poor people upon whom the |
blight has already fallen. One woman of wealth |
sends cOnsumptives away to a proper climate. |!
This sort of thing, however, calls for so much |
money that it is naturally less common than |
other forms Of quiet charity.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO STRUGGLING TALENT |
The benevolence which comes from people of