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Editorial
January 27, 1895
The Washington Times
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial in Washington praises charitable aid for the poor amid unemployment-induced distress, noting the city's lack of slums. It argues the poor prefer work over charity and urges immediate public improvements, building projects, and citizen efforts to provide employment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THEY PREFER WORK TO CHARITY.
The poor of this city have reason to be thankful for the generous assistance given in their time of need. Much distress has been relieved by the charitably inclined and there is yet more to be provided for. The offerings have been liberal, spontaneous, and worthily bestowed, and all connected with the work of charity have rendered valuable service. The various committees are now thoroughly organized and want in all parts of the city will be cared for without so much display and brass-band accompaniment.
A stranger after reading the startling newspaper announcements of suffering during the last two weeks would naturally conclude that Washington was the most poverty-stricken community in the Union, when, in fact, there is no other large city so free from this natural result of ignorance and squalor. This city has no slums, no low classes that live in filth and bestialism, no localities where vice breeds disease and suffering, and if we have distress it has been created from lack of employment and not from natural causes.
If a way could be found to give work to the unemployed there would be no need of extraordinary efforts to assist the poor. Those who now accept assistance prefer work to charity, and every energy should be bent to give them employment. If there are improvements to be made now is the time to make them. If real estate owners intend to build, let the work begin immediately, and if our parks, streets or other public property need improving there should be no delay in employing our idle people to make the improvements.
Let every citizen look about and see if there is not some employment to be given to the poor. Work of the most trivial nature is better than none, and wages that would be insignificant in better times are more acceptable than idleness. Remember the working people of Washington are not beggars and if given employment would not accept charity.
The poor of this city have reason to be thankful for the generous assistance given in their time of need. Much distress has been relieved by the charitably inclined and there is yet more to be provided for. The offerings have been liberal, spontaneous, and worthily bestowed, and all connected with the work of charity have rendered valuable service. The various committees are now thoroughly organized and want in all parts of the city will be cared for without so much display and brass-band accompaniment.
A stranger after reading the startling newspaper announcements of suffering during the last two weeks would naturally conclude that Washington was the most poverty-stricken community in the Union, when, in fact, there is no other large city so free from this natural result of ignorance and squalor. This city has no slums, no low classes that live in filth and bestialism, no localities where vice breeds disease and suffering, and if we have distress it has been created from lack of employment and not from natural causes.
If a way could be found to give work to the unemployed there would be no need of extraordinary efforts to assist the poor. Those who now accept assistance prefer work to charity, and every energy should be bent to give them employment. If there are improvements to be made now is the time to make them. If real estate owners intend to build, let the work begin immediately, and if our parks, streets or other public property need improving there should be no delay in employing our idle people to make the improvements.
Let every citizen look about and see if there is not some employment to be given to the poor. Work of the most trivial nature is better than none, and wages that would be insignificant in better times are more acceptable than idleness. Remember the working people of Washington are not beggars and if given employment would not accept charity.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
Labor
What keywords are associated?
Poverty Relief
Employment Preference
Washington Distress
Unemployment
Public Works
Charity Efforts
What entities or persons were involved?
Washington Poor
Charity Committees
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Preference For Work Over Charity For Washington's Unemployed Poor
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Employment To Alleviate Poverty
Key Figures
Washington Poor
Charity Committees
Key Arguments
Generous Charity Has Relieved Distress But More Is Needed
Washington Lacks Slums And Poverty Stems From Unemployment, Not Natural Causes
Unemployed Prefer Work To Charity
Urge Immediate Public Improvements, Building, And Private Employment To Provide Jobs
Even Trivial Work Is Better Than Idleness