The Daily Gate City

Notwithstanding the vigilance of the Ladies' Benevolent Society to dispense its charity only to those who are really in destitute circumstances, we fear the society is imposed upon by unscrupulous persons.

We were in a boot and shoe establishment yesterday when a woman entered who presented woe-begone appearance. She called for a pair of shoes, and after examining the stock selected a pair from the most valuable shoes in the establishment. After they had been wrapped up she presented for the payment of the same an order from the Benevolent Society. She was informed by the proprietor that those were not the kind of shoes the order called for, and then showed her the quality of shoes he was instructed by the society to give those coming to his store with orders. The shoes shown were good and comfortable ones,—but not being fine enough for the woman she shrugged her shoulders, and with a disdainful scowl said the shoes were not good enough for her, and that if the society couldn't furnish better, it had better sell out, or words to that effect.

After she left we ascertained that she had been imposing on the Society that she owns a large brick house in a certain portion of the city, in which are four families, the rent of which is ample to keep her self and children from want. And it is the dishonest conduct of such that often prevent the truly needy from receiving that succor which their pinching poverty demands.

Be these things as they may, vigilance may be used to prevent them. They will occur as long as dishonesty is allowed lodgment in the human heart. The labors of our ladies in the cause of suffering humanity have been noble and praiseworthy, and now that we are in the midst of winter, when everything without is cold and drear, we hope they will make renewed efforts for the alleviation of the poor. Another promenade concert, or anything that their judicious suggests, would, we feel, be responded to by our citizens.