The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-12-20
MANY WORSE CHRSTMASES
Than This One WILL Be
Canton Has Few Poor to Look After This
year--lnfrequency Of Application to
Authorities For Aid An Eloquent
Testimonial to Csnton's
Present Prosperity.

Testimonial to Canton's
Present Prosperity.
- ANTON can we'll congratulate
~ herself upon the fact this year
there are fewer poor people in the city
than ever in her history, taking the
total population into consideration.
This is the testimony of the charitable
people in the churches, members OF
the Associated Charaties, and all who
having to do with caring for the unfor-
tunate ones of the city. The best tes-
timony in support of this statement.
however, comes from the township
trustees, who have charge Of the out
side relief in the township, including
the city.
A reporter called upon them to as
certain the amount of relief being
given out, and secured the information
that the number of families who have
to be furnished with food, fuel and
clothing is much smaller than ever
before. The trustees under the law
are required to furnish partial relief
TO those who are able to earn some
money or have resources that will aid
in keeping them. 1t is cheaper TO
make certain allowance to them than
to maintain them at the infirmary.
FEW CANTON POOR.
In this way these officials get in
touch with the poor people and are
kept posted as to the conditions all
over the township. In Canton and
Canton township, there are upwards
of $4,000 people, representing over 10.-
900 families, yet there are only about
$50 of all these families to which aid
has to be given. Some of them are al
lowed to purchase certain amount of
groceries at stores and have the same
charged up to the township. Others
have to be furnished with a portion
or all of their fuel, while clothing has
to be furnished in some instances. Oc-
casionally the breadwinner In a home
will be sick or for some other reason
trustees furnish aid until such time as
the head of the family is able to earn
wages, thus saving much suffering ani
the necessity of removing the parties
to the infirmary.
When asked as to whether any
extra allowance would be made to the
dependent ones at Christmas time, the
trustees said that it was their custom
to not refuse any moderate demand
at this time of the year when all others
were getting ready to feast on luxu-
ries.
SOME PATHETIC CASES.
There are few pathetic cases of
poverty in the city that are unknown
to the public, and which never reach
the ears of the trustees or any other
charitable body. 1t is where pride
prevents the subjects from applying
for public aid. and though the suffer-
ings become extreme, they are borne
in silence rather than the world should
be made aware of their condition
Charitable friends in many cases look
after this class of people, but there are
others who suffer in silence and even
their nearest friends never know of
their privations.
With this number OF poor in the city,
1t ought to be an easy thing for them
to be looked after. This should be no
reason for the relaxation of effort upon
the part of the charitable people or the
organizations that have taken the mat
ter in hand for this holiday season.
There are many Of course who are not
objects of public charity to whom lit
tie help would be very acceptable. For
them to feel that they are remembered
will bring more comfort than the
articles that are given.
ONLY BARE NECESSITIES.
There are homes where a mother is
struggling to keep her family together,
to shield them from want, and to avoid
the necessity of applying for aid. Sick
ness has invaded other homes and
brought penury where plenty had
reigned. Then there are the homes
where the habits Of the father have
robbed the wife and children of their
means of sustenaIce. This class
should not be neglected.
The authorities are not allowed by
law to purchase anything but the bare
necessities for the poor, SO that the
little luxuries must of necessity come
from the charitable organizations and
the good people Of Canton. The prep
arations making are an earnest that
no one will be neglected. The churches
Will look after those of their own
membership. and kind neighbors will