The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-09-02
REV. MR.. WHALEY
MAKES A CORRECTION

Editor Pensacola Journal.
In your note regarding the united
charities in this mornings issue, it is
said that the organization of the so
ciety was due to the suggestion OF
the late Mr.. Fisher. This is a mis-
take. Previously to Mr.. Fisher :
being made president the society had
been in more or less ac,ive opera
ton for two or three years. Somehow,
it seemed to lapse into a comatose
condition, just like so many other
good movements in this city, which
have started with flying colors but
have soon reached a premature de-
cay A reorganization was brought
about with Mr.. Fisher as president,
the general feeling being that he was
the best man to put at the head of it.
He was always willing to assist to
the fullest extent OF his powers in
all matters that tended to the gen.
eral good.
Mr. Andrews was appointed execu-
tive officer, a man who had and now
has larger acquaintance with the
number and needs of the poor in this
city than any one, I know, not ex-
cepting even Mr.. Arthur D'Alem berte
Owing to an unfortunate difference
between Mr.. Fisher and Mr.. Andrews
respecting some qUetsions of admins
trative detail, Mr.. Andrews resigned.
/ have always felt that this was a
mistake on Mr.. Andrews part, and
a misfortune for the society. We
have had no meeting of any kind for
several years, which has hindered
the work of the society The public
has known very little IL anything
about the good work of the society.
People cannot be expected TO contrib
EFfln In nh
about. Public meetings should be
held at least twice a year and full
details of the work made known by re-
ports and in the press.
MesSrs- Fisher, Thompson, and
the late Gen. Reese and myself met
frequently to consider the matter OF
charity work in this town, also Mr.
W e. Anderson. That was many
years ago. / had seen the operation
of similar societies elsewhere and
brought this method to the attention
of nay fellow laborers. Mr. Fisher
took a hearty and helpful interest in
the formation of the original society,
the constitution and bylaws of which
l drew up myself.
Let us now have a public meeting,
get together and re-organize the so
ciety. There should be an executive
officer whose business 1t would be to
investigate and keep a record of all
cases One serious difficulty with the
charity work here is that the same
cases recur all the time, while the
various churches are assisting the
same people, who soon become pro
fessional beggars. The object Of the
society is mainly to regulate as far
as possible what we may call the
general charities of the city as dis
from the special and
more private benefactions of the
churches.
Too much praise cannot be given
to Mr.. Arthur D'AIem5erte for his
continuous and generous services in
behalf of the society for the last
three or four years. Our people are
very generous toward the Door. and
but they are lacking in
the sense" of cooperation which is
chiefly created and sustained by pub
lie meetings for discussion and mu-
tua1 advice The state provides for
the chronic cases of need while such
a society as the united charities is
intended largely for occasional dis
tresS and temporary want. The So
ciety may be really injurious in some
instances by encouraging Inactivity
and laziness- To escape this danger.
[ have always urged the Keeping of a
rigidly correct list of all cases where
in assistance has been given. The
date and extent and matter of assist
ance should be recorded I do most
devoutiy hope that a strong ana per
sistent effort Will now be made to
revive and invigorate the society.
PERCIEAI. II WuaTEyv