Evening star., 1904-02-27

munity through the influence exercised
upon them there, when otherwise they
lower depths, until the end came in a
drunkard's grave and the abandonment
of the innocent family to the mercies of
the world
Destitute Workmen.
Destitute workmen who have lost their
employment through various reasons are
taken care of and helped to other positions.
Hundreds of these men come to Washing
ton every year, not knowing that the con-
ditions here. in a city which has practically
no manufactures, are worse for them than
those which they left behind. Their last
penny gone for food, they are forced to
seek some place where they can live. The
Home Of the Good Samaritan is one Of the
places in this city where they can find that
haven. There they work for what they re-
cetve in the form Of food, raiment and
sleeping accommodations, and do not feel
degraded by the necessity. Many who do
not know Of the home are arrested as va
grants, and sent to the workhO as such,
when they are. in fact, workingmen in dis
tresS.
1t would naturally be suggested to the
mind Of the observer that the operators of
the home are frequently imposed upon by
beggars and trampS who would not work If
they had the opportunity, but such Is said
to be not the case. The spirit of the home
Is said to have such an influence upon men
that they either Immediately yield to it's
influence or just as quickly leave, the
former being largely In the majority. The
records show some pitiful cases Of desti-
tuition and loss Of ambition through the
manifold influences that tend to that end,
with reclamation after a sojourn in the at
mosphere OF the home and the officials
have devoted themselves largely to the task
OF inspiring in the public mind the realiza-
ton that the establishment of more such
institutions would tend to diminish crime
O nd arfv ov,4 4lo
ennobling influences of Christ's teachings
coupled with practical encouragement and
the exhibition of humaneness in it's noblest
form.
humanity in all stages of adversely, mis-
fortune, poverty and affliction, all adding
emphasis to the worth of the institution
the purpose Of which is to uplift the fallen
and help them to help themselves The
home is always open to those who seek its
shelter, and President Downey has had a
long term of practical experience in the
work in which he is engaged For sixteen
years he has been employed in reform
work in connection with the special works
conference of the st. Vincent de Paul So
ciety, his labors carrying him among
prisons reformatories and similar institu-
tons, and he is thereby eminently fitted to
the task which he has set for himself His
knowledge is practical and it was during
the great blizzard of 1895 that he conceived
ana put into execution the idea of the
nOme, WHICH mas Deen, largely through his
labors, since carried to its present state
OF helpfulness to the needy and unfortu-
nate. With personal donation he founded
the home and has since received much
practical encouragement from many chari-
table persons throughout the District and
vicinity.
Contributions of clothing, fuel, food.
money or anything that can be used for
the maintenance Of the home are always
thankfully received and promptly acknowl-
edged. and since the treasury is at the
present time empty. through the unusual
innow OF poor men during the past severe
winter, and the home is absolutely free to
all, It ie hoped by the operators that the
people Of the city who are in circumstances
to warrant the giving of assistance WIN not
be slow to act in favor of the charity,