Daily National Intelligencer

Messrs. Gales & Seaton.

Observing in your paper a notice, for a meeting in one of the wards of the city, for the relief of the poor, at this inclement season of the year, I would recommend a meeting in each ward for that purpose. I will give a few hints on this subject, the result of much reflection, and of some observation and reading. I am convinced, that less than one half of what is now given to the poor, would fully provide for their wants and educate their children. All public institutions for the poor ought to provide for an examination into the wants circumstances and character, and for the employment of all that are able to work, and for the education of the children--The children of beggars generally follow the profession of their parents.--By giving their children sufficient instruction to enable them to pursue an honest occupation, and giving them at the same time moral instruction and industrious habits, you at once destroy a prolific source of beggars. When it is known to the poor that their conduct is regarded by their respectable neighbors, it gives a self-respect to themselves, and would be a great stimulus to exertion; and by obliging all to work that were able, how many lazy grog-shop loungers would be obliged to earn a living for themselves and family, who now make the distressed situation of their family the plea for alms, to indulge their own lazy and vicious habits?--Thus by conducting Industry and education with the relief of the poor, the lazy would be made to labor, and many of the drunkards and profligate would be reclaimed; and you would make their Children useful members of society, instead of being a disgrace, a burthen, and a reproach. Much might be urged on this subject; but neither my time nor your paper will permit my pursuing it further at present. I hope the time is not far distant, when penitentiaries for the criminal, and houses of industry & education for the poor, will not only Save MILLIONS of money--but what is of infinitely more importance, will give a new and happy era to the situation of the poor.

Until the public authorities shall see fit in their wisdom, to adopt measures obviously useful--I would recommend, that the distribution of voluntary contributions should always be preceded by personal examination into the situation of the poor, and by afterwards seeing that the bounty distributed is properly and economically applied to the objects and uses intended.

OBSERVER.