The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-19

HowRaIeigh' S Charitable Peo-
Pile Got together and What
They are Doing.


Raleigh to see firmly established, wise
and helpful Board of Associated Charities
Now that this hope is fast becoming
helpful fact, its progress can but be a
matter of great interest. To glance for
moment at the history of the organiza-
ton and sum it up, in few. words for
those who may have failed to follow it, it
is as follows:
In the spring several well attended gen.
eral meetings were held looking to per-
tsnaanent orgaIliaa ton. These meetings
developed three well known facts: First,
that the people of Raleigh are very
charitable; second, that owing to the
want of system in distributing charity
house to house begging was becoming
alarmincly common and cases of the
grossest deception not unknown; third.
that this indiscriminate giving was paupeI-
izing many who should be self-sustaining,
Oh the one hand and taking from the
really sick and helpless on the other. 1t
was evident that only organized effort
could meet the conditions. The result was
the organization of the Associated Chari-
ties. of this organization the citizens
were invited to become members by con-
tribution and cooperation. The financial
management was placed in the hands of
a governing board composed OF a number
of the leading business men of our city,
Mr.. j. W. Bailey being president, and Mr..
Leo. Heartt, secretary and treasurer.
The executive charitable work was CIV
Ell into the hands of a general committee
of twenty-eight ladies. OF this committee
Miss Fannie E. s. Heck is chairman, and
Miss Narcissa Hutchins secretary.
Mr.. r. S. Stephenson, well versed in
such work in other cities, was made SUI
perintendent.
Such, in a word, is the outline OF the
organization The question is, did it meet
the approval of the people who had given
thought to their poorer neighbors? Most
assuredly. No sooner was the matter laid
before them than many contributions
were made with the heartiest wishes for
SUCCESS The canvass of the town is
vet far from complete. Much more IS
needed to secure the funds to meet the
demands which will surely arise when cold
weather comes, but we have the utmost
confidence that when the work of the As
ISOLATED Charities is fully known the ne
cessary money will be amply supplied.
Many have given intending to increase
their gifts if the organization proved a
success Recognizing this feeling and con-
sidering themselves the executives of a
trust from their fellow townsmen the
governing board and the general commit
tee wish to keep all contributors fully in
formed as to what is being done and to
this end will publish MONTHLY state
ment Of the associations work.
1t is about a month since the association
opened its rooms in the neat little build
ing at 10 West Ha-gatt street. Here
every morning from nine to twelve the
SUPERINTENDENT may bc found. a morning
with him would open the eyes of many
to the various types of woe, wants end
fraud which present themselves Just
here the cooperation of every contributor
is requested, for all are asked to report all
applicants for aid 10 the superintendent
during these morning hours. When
twelve arrives the Office is closed and the
hardest work of the day begins Every
new applicant of the morning must now
be visited the case investigated and help
rendered either by the superintendent or
one of the ladies of the general committee
among whom the town has been districted
for this purpose Thorough invest igation
is the cardinal principle. The inyariable
cannot help themselves. Work Is TIE first
step towards self-respect and to supply
this as the truest charity is ever the first
effort. When sickness or age make work
impossible. help, more liberal and systema-
tic than could be given by individuals, il
given.
How many apply who should be self
supporting is shown by the fact that in
the month of June there were 81 appli-
cants yet only thirteen families were,
after thorough investigation, thought real
ly deserving of aid. Many OF the latlaf.
however, were very needy and pitifuI
cases. A. careful register of all applicants
is kept and doubtless the number of un-
worthy applicants will decrease when the
care with which help is given is fully
known. On the other hand the number
of needy cases will be doubled or trebled
as the winter comes on and is in anti
cipation of this that the organization is
exceedingly anxious to get its work fully
under way At the last meeting of the
general committee two important commit.
tees were appointed. One on furniture
for the rooms of the association arr
now bare except for a borrowed table and
chair or two, the other on clothing
For the first it is believed that if the need
IS known many will be glad to contribut;
a chair. table or other piece of furni-
ture. set of shelves for old clothing
and several packing trunks are very muci
desired. The clothing committee IS cnarg
cd with the important mission OF gather
ing clothing for present and future dlstrl
hutton for winters cold. 1t is safe u
say that every person IN Raleigh wh'
roaas fbase words has something tina
ought TO be placed in the hands OF thi
committee Tt is an opportunity to d
GOOD TO those who suffer for what yo1
have and do not need Look about yo
and send what you find to the association
rooms. n
4 good deed quickly done is done we'll.