The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-13
Mrs. Barrett and Miss Bar,
nard Arouse Enthusiasm
at Big Meeting.
WESTERN GIRLS STORY
OF LABOR FOR PEOPLE
Convention Will Come to Close
Tonight After One Of Most
Successful Sessions in It's
History-Many Inter
esting Papers Read
Yesterday.
Yesterday

EroHES Llc general SeSSlOn OIL LuG
National Conference OF Charities
and Correction last night. two
IL women, one Virginia matron
with the grace and charm and
dignity OF the old South, and the other
, chip OF girl. brimming over with
The enthusiasm OF the West, drove home
the thought that there must be equal
representation OF the sexes In State
boards Of charity. The speakers were
Mrs. kate Wheeler Barrett. OF Alexan-
bria, national superintendent OF the
Florence crittenden Mission. and Miss
Kate Barnard. commissioner OF chari-
ties and correction OF the new State
of Oklahoma.
First on the program were papers
by two men. but somehow near the end
the audience seemed to have lost sight
of that fact, fair regard for the truth
and not an idle pleasantly demanding
the admission that the women carried
off the honors OF the night.
Skill of Western Girl.
While tho men kept their eyes On
typewriter sheets and read without
regard to eloquence or gesture. :he
women looked sauarely into the eyes
OF those who looked back. Occasion
ally. Miss Barnard glanced at a card
upon which there must have been a
multitude OF notes, for she was hsvsr
lost in the rush OF IDEAS. and fin;tlly
suffered gentle reminder that she had
raced over her time.
But while she held the floor and the
attention of the conference she told
wnat had been done in framing laws
and a Constitution for the welfare OF
Western humanity. 1t was remark
able story, related in the tones OF
conversation. but fun OF astounding &
proof of young girls skill and
courage.
Naturally as a result Of the closIng
pleas the men were los: In the shadow
OF greater achievement. Mr.. Ruther-
ford II. Platt. member of the Ohio
State Board OF Charities. who sub
ml,ted report on State Supervision
and b1r. Amos ". Butler, secretary OF
the Indiana State Board OF Charities,
State Board to the People" spoke
wisely of conditions that are and con-
ditions that should be.
Then toward the end. Miss Lathrop.
of Chicago. who was called to the front,
Rnd who described herself as an "old
Btager," declared that in the compeu-
tion for female honors on the charity
boards the Virginia woman and the
Oklahoma girl would put her out OF the
cunning.
Platt Called for Help.
Apparently convinced that the sterners
sex had not been equal to the occasion,
Chairman Platt brought Mr.. David w.
Tilley. of Boston. to the chancel OF ST.
Paurs. In her addres. Mrs. Barrett
had denounced the easy fashion In
which charters are granted by the
States.
II don't think she could have mado
application IN Massachusetts" said Mr..
Tilley FOR she would have found that
the applicants have to give proof Of
their reliability"
"But got a charter In Massachu-
sets. all the same" was the quick
rejo!nder from Mrs. Barrett. Not 20
he outdone, Mr.. Tilley replied that this
was an evidence that she was weighed
and not found wanting.
With section meetings to-day and
general session tonight, the confer
ence will adjourn, members being sat,
tsfed that in point of attendance and
high value of the addresses, 1t must
take front rank OF all since It's foun-
dalton thirty-five years ago.
Relief Demands Grenteat.
In the report OF his committee,
Chairman Platt commended the organ
ization of a,ate Board OF Charities
in Virginia, expressing the belief that
1t would be a source Of help to the
people. The tendency" he said. us
for the State to take over the charl-
table functions more and more. and at
present 1t seems that the only effective
barrier against making Of the State a
universal providence Is the financial
difficulty. Those things which promote
the common welfare are Legitimate
State functions. Education which i'm
plies the turning and development OF
character as well as tlls imparting of
knowledge Is the greatest OF preyenta-
tive agencies. The relief Of individuals
and the care OF the unfortunates have
more or less always been State func-
tions, but the tendency has unfortu-
nately been that the demand for relief
tends always, to equal or outrun the
supply
This is true, whether we are speak
Ing OF State hospitals for the insane,
of limiting child labor, or providing
employment for those out of work or
q dozen other forms Of philanthropic
activity,
THE Idea. that State is under a
duty to relieve the unfortunate should
be repelled. The real duty draws the
State the other way. Justice, not benev-
olence. Is the true function OF the State,
ITO raise hopes OF relief, whether true
or false, which for financial or other
reasons cannot be carried out, is un-
fortunate,
The inquiry should always be: Will.
the common welfare be promoted--no
.&ill the individual need he relieved.' :
Importance of State nonr,is.
In showing the relations between a
State board of charity and the people,
Mr.. Butler explained its mission, its
plan of organization, and how the best
results might be attained. MANY In
lelligent persons,' he said. "look wholly
Upon the financial slide of an institution.
Its real purpose Is for The proper care,