Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-12-21
WOMEN ASK FOR
LEGISLATION TO
HELP THE POOR
Circular Distributed by Pres
ident Of Federation Calls for
Suggestions From Char
liable People,

Santa lie. Dee. 20.--Mrs. Rupert +.
Asplund. president OF the New Mexico
Federation of Women's clubs. has Is
sued the following circular which i
being distributed generally over the
state.
1.-The arrival of cold weather and
the coming of the Christmas season
when the thoughts Of all kind-hearted
people turn toward the relief of the
poor and the unfortunate, should
make every thoughtful citizen of New
Mexico consider the conditions in this
state. standing practically alone, as II
does. among the states OF the union,
in making absolutely no provision for
public charity. There was time
when il was proudly asserted that
New Mexico boosted of her lack of
poor houses and poor funds, lack
which should be q cause OF shame In
stead OF pride unless the state couii
also boast that there were no poor
within her borders Unfortunately.
the poor We have always with US, in
New Mexico as well as the rest OF the
world, fact which may be quickly
corroborated by application to any one
OF the various benevolent organiza-
lions scattered over the state when
run the gamut from tag days to
charity balls in their efforts To coax
a few dollars from the pockets OF The
public to relieve the suffering Ia their
several communities.
I'm New Mexico. as elsewhere, the
greater part of this relief work Is car
ried on by women. either as individu-
ais or IN organizations so II seems
very fitting that the New Mexico Fed
Grafton of Womens clubs, represent
ing as II does, women's organizations
all over the state, should take the |
lead In urging some legislation which |
will compel some public aid to the |
poor and helpless and will provide the |
necessary means for giving this aid. |
While much is done by the charity OF I
individuals and organizations, and
while much must always be done IN |
that way, the present condition In |
this state which leaves the matter en-
tircly TO chance or individual Judg- |
ment Is certainly unworthy of civ
flied and progressive commonwealth /
like our own. As matters now stand
In New Mexico. If the unfortunate /
poor happen to live in part OF The
state where city or county Officials
are opcn-hearted and where (and this
is more to the point the city and
county treasures have any money to
spare: they may receive some pubic
help: if they live where private char
liable organizations are strong am
we'll supported, they may receive
some private aid, but If they should
happen to live in parts Of the state
where neither of these conditions APP
ply, what Is to become of them?
suggestions Are Invited.
I'm other states. the problem is at
tackled in various ways; In some by
state commissions or individual com
giving aid direct from the
state: In others. by compulsory APP
from county treasures or
the levying of county taxes for the
purpose to be distributed by the coun-
Is commissioners or any organizations
or individuals appointed by them. The
officials Of the state federation are
most anxious to support only that
legislation which shall be most effi-
cicnt and the best suited to the needs
Of the state. They ask only that the
system shall be such as To provide
some public relief for the sick, the
the aged and the worthy
poor ia general WITH II possible,
some provision for helping to self
support wherever people are able 70
work, and that the provisions made
for the distribution Of this relief be
such as to afford the quickest and
most efficient aid to the worthy and
10 most thoroughly discourage abuses
THE federation, therefore, begs
hat the citizens Of the state will
give this matter their most Thoughts
Iul consideration during the time thai
Will clapss before the conyenlug Of
he legislature. and requests advine
ma suggestions from all who are In
crested Especially are those public
officials and officials of organizations
Fho have disbnrsed charity funds
,ither in this state or others, urged
o give the federation officials the re-
Iults of their experience. All com
will be carefully consid-
red Il addressed to Mrs Rupert T.
Asplund, president New Mexico Fed
ration Of Womens clubs, Santa re,
Sew Mexico