Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1907-02-12
San Francisco, CAL, Feb. S, 1907.

San Francisco, CAL, Feb. S, 1907.
Mr. J. E. Mercer,
Editor, "The Enterprise,
Fitzgerald, Ga,
Dear Sir:
We are now engaged in gathering data
for our Final Report aud we contemplate
Incorporating in this, statements of the
work done in various communities. ] note
that we have received from the citizens of
Fitzgerald, Georgia, through your valuable
journal, $40 so. We would appreciate it
if you would assist ds in obtaining list of
contributors to this fund with the amount
contributed by each and an analysis of dis
bursements- We were not able to keep an
accurate account of the car loads of pro.
visions, clothing, blankets, bedding, ETC.,
forwarded in the days Immediately follow.
ing the fire, and it is only through the
communities themselves that we may
hope to arrive at any approximate idea of
the amount of such. relief. Manlfestly
our report would be incomplete without
reference to this, and we will be great
ly obliged if you can assist us in obtain
ing a complete report of all relief work
done ia your community.
Respectfully yours.
w. M. Brace Chief, Sub. Dept.
We have lost the list and another list for
more than $500 sent to San Francisco and
will not be able to comply unless some read
er has the information.
Merceritis is new one on us. However,
from the definition gained from a neighboring
contemporary, it is but another name for hon
nd
but the name is new and fitting tribute to the
man of whom Ben Hill county should be proud
to boast.-Ocilla Star.
We are not unmindful nor unappreciative of
the high compliment paid us in the above from
our Ocla neighbor, if we have merited half so
much as is intended, we lad much pleasure in
that fact.
Some mighty good people in Ben Hill coun-
ty tell US they are proud of and the Enter
PRISE but while that s true, there are many
who feel quite d ffereutly. Men who would think
more of us if we did less for the county, men who
would ordinarily be friends, if we were
passive, submissive aud concerned ourse1f but
little about public affairs. They dislike us for
what we have accomplished for Fitzgerald and
Ben Hill county.
If Merceritis is outspoken honesty we have
MM
From time to time the Enterprise has taken
a strong stand against the street beggars. Not
that we ever turn one down or that we are lack
ing in sympathy for them, but we have insisted
constantly that promlscuous street begging is
all wrong. We have believed that charity, like
every thing else, should be systematsed. Under
the old plan the least worthy get lions share
of the aims. Our efforts have not been with
out results in this community.
The organization of the Benevolent Society
and an ordinance forbidding street begging are
some of the results. AS rule, begga1s who
come to Fitzgerald referred to this society of
ladies organized for the purpose of looking after
the needs of the helpless and the worthy poor.
Macon is catching on to the Fitzgerald way
as is indicated by the following, taken from
yesterdays Macon paper
"A letter was read by all the pastors of
the various churches yesterday from Mr.
Campbell It. King, vice-president, and Mr..
B. P. Walker, warden, of the United Chari-
ties Society, asking the cooperation of the
chu, ches in taking care of the city's I'm.
fortunate poor especially during the winter
months.
The society seeks above all things to do
two things-relieve the distress systemati.
cay, aud to prevent begging on the streets.
While it is admitted that the people them
selves are to blame for the constant begg-
ing, by not turning them away, the society
desires to impress upon all that they will
find that by giving one dollar month to
the society to be given only to the real de-