St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-09-28

abilities. OF course, there are excep-
tions to all rules. Nevertheless 1t
is collective fact that the church.
es here are SO organized and man
aged. They have no charitable or
carnations, and they do not organic
ally cooperate with the charitable in
situations. They live unto them
selves in select circles, regardless OF
the Scripture, which saith: mo man
liveth unto himself"
This lady Investigator says that she
called upon one of our most eminent
preachers, man whose fame is world
wide and whose sermons are printed In
hundreds of newspapers, and when she
asked him for charity. he replied:
''This is my home, and not place for
aims giving. I.have no time for such
cases. You must go to the police and
tell your tale" She was promptly
shown to the door in a deliberate but
dignified manner, and as she stepped
into the vestibule, she said: "lnas-
much as We did itunto one of the least
of these, We did it unto Me-" But the
great expounder of the law OF love
calmly closed the door in her face and
returned to his study" probably to
frame eloquent sentences for the de-
lectation of his audience of admirers
Of the following Lords day. It is no
wonder that the lady investigator says:
'sYour charities need church cooper.
ation," after an experience of that
kind.
The secretary Of the associated
charities has been informed of the
systematic begging which has been
done by this investigator, and he says
that impositions are made possible be-
cause of the carelessness OF the peo-
pie. The board has thousands of cards
printed for distribution, in order that
families and individuals may hand
those cards to beggars of every de-
scription. Instead of giving money,
the people should give these cards.
Then, if they want to give food, cloth
ing or money, they should send their
contributions to the board.
That is good system, undoubtedly,
but it will not work in everyday prac-
teal life. People will not carry cards
with them, and housewives will not
distribute them. The lady invests
gator says: IF they put cards in ev-
cry house in the District of Columbia
I could still make comfortable living
by begging here, simply by going after
the department clerks on their pay
days. The only way to prevent sue
cessful imposture is to have. police
men stationed about the departments
on pay days. Beggars dread police
men. Impostors will not venture to
beg if a bluecoat is in sight"
The secretary of the associated
charities says: ''It is better, far bet
ter, for people living in coy, comfort
able homes to turn beggars from their
doors than to give them aid. 1t is
better for the community and better
for the beggar. These people should
be sent to us or brought to us. Beg
ging is unnecessary, and refusing to
give discourages the beggar. Their
tales are always pitiful, and usually
heart-rending. The appearance of an
unfortunate at ones door, particular
" at night, arouses sympathy; but it
is misplaced sympathy. It is safe to
assume that all such cases are un-
worthy. This lady Investigator has
demonstrated that worthy people can
always find relief by coming to US. All
Of the worthy ones know this. It is
only the unworthy who impose upon
people"
It has been problem for the civil
ization of all ages to properly and
adequately provide for the sick, the
poor, the halt, the manned, the blind,
deaf and dumb. The claim of the sec
rotary is but an expression Of the sci
ence and philosophy of philanthropy.
The fact remains, as demonstrated,
that shrewd woman can make bet
ter living by begging than by work
ing, at least in this city.
The publication Of these facts in q
city very near to the national capital
will undoubtedly excite newspaper
controversy; and that may bring ID
more beggars. In that event the blue.
coats will be more in evidence about
the executive departments on pay
days, and professional beggars viii
not long prosper. SMITH D. FRY.