Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-01-20
lNDIscRimlNATE GIVING
CAUSES PAuPERIsM
President Of Stone Settlement Home
Writes Strong Appeal il Behalf of
Wei Directed Charity.

4
the local papers to the public TO re.
member the poor this extremely Sc
we're weather. a number OF charitabTy
disposed citizens have sest money,
clothing and fuel to the Stone Settle
iaent Home TO be anportioned among
the poor as the superintendent felt
the need warranted. We deeply ap-
preeiate tho trust reposed IN us and
Twill endeavor. God helping MS, to give
the aid to those most in need
There are several families constant
/ ly in need OF assistance. due to the
fact that there is no bread winner
but the mother; and with house full
OF children with their various needs
makes it too difficult for her to carry
| the burden alone. 1t has been our
pleasure to regularly assist these in
6ividuals who are endeavoring to earn
living and keep their homes. Add
cd to these now are number of fami-
lies where sickness or death has laid
the bread winner Iowa pitiable con-
dition at this time of the year. Coal,
clothing and food are being supplied
and in one family a tuberculosis pa
tient is receiving fresh eggs and milk
daily.
Such are few of the cases being
cared for by the deaconesses and
these cases and others OF like nature
are no doubt the ones our patrons
prefer being the recipients OF their
charity.
The basis of all true charity work
Is to help people help themselves.
which eventually does away with
lpauperism and makes self-respecting
citizens Of them. Pauperism is a con
dition carsed by indiscrirmnate Civ
ing. SO all cases reported to the
Home must of necessity be investi-
gated by the deaconesses. who fire.
quently make these visits with pro-
| visions near at hand to supply should
the want be urgent.
While there are worthy POOR in our
city, there are a number who will rot
WORK at any time and take this se-
we're weather to appeal to the public
for aid. Persons end conditions are
not always what they seem and all
who ask help are not always needy
Dirty, torn clothing does not always
indicate that new clothing and money
are needed. nor that the vearer has
no food nor better clothing at home.
Something is needed, We grant, and
that something we are beginning by
teaching to impress upon the minds
OF all we come in contact with in our
work. It is this: That self-respect-
ire people may be poor but are never
beggars; that cleanliness is next to-
Goodness and that a clean person who
tries to oarn his way is never without
friends when distress comes.
Many of our poor have been render
ed paupers by indiscriminate giving
on the part of the general public who,
either through ignorance or because
il consumed too much time, have not
investigated cases when appealed to
but have given so beautifully the re-
cipisnt loses his desire to make his
Own living and is willing to be kept.
Such being helped at stated intervals
by the deaconesses who also had Sc
cured light work for the mother for
which she seemed grateful, until var
ious kindly disposed persons sent in
so much food. coal ana clothing. she
gave up her work and sat down to
enjoy her donations. Sipoh GIVING is
not helpful but harmful to the re-
cipient. We want to assist our I'M
fortunate brother and sister upon
their feet, give them start aad then
let them earn their wGy and BE self
respecting citizens.
Another nuisance indiscriminate
giving harbors is the profes sionai
beggar who, by his easy method of
getting a good living by simply asking
for it, Influences many to follow his
example.
One instance among rs is that of a
woman. Mary Deever by name. who
originally came to Martinsburg from
Winchester, We understand She is
alone. has no one depending upon her,
and, though helred Iy the deaconess
many times and a good home found
for her, she refused to go; but pur-
sues her calling of begging and spends
some of the money given her for
dope" When told public charge
Ike her should be in the county farm
she curses the speaker. Not belong.
ing to our county the authorities do
not feel 1t incumbent upon them to
use force in sending her to the coun-
ty farm. Had We an Associated
Charities in this city she and others
like the man who last winter collected
from various soft-hearted individuals
$S6 with which to bury his dear son
In Cumberland, and who was proven
to be fraud. would be sent TO the
places from whence they came, and
Martdnsburg's charity could be given
to help make citizens. not paupers.
GRACE S. HETzEL. President.
! Eireiet