THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

Evening Star, Issue 6914, 29 May 1885, Page 2

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

TO THE EDITOH.

Sir.,—lt is with very much interest that I have read your reports of the Benevolent Institution Committtc meetings since the caso of Mrs Wright came up ; and I cannot help thinking that the Committee have acted in a most harsh and unchristianlike manner in comfortably plastering the affair over by General Fulton's motion. Now, sir, do you think it right that the inspector should go and interrogate the neighbors of people who apply to the Committee for relief? How should a neighbor know the circumstances of a person next door ? And why should the inspector humiliate a man or woman who is unfortunately compelled to ask relief, by running to his or her neighbors to make inquiries, and so publishing the poverty of these unfortunates ? The Bible tells us to remember the poor, and not to let one hand know what the other gives. Some of the Committee must be. ignorant of the beautiful precepts of the good old book. With reference to the non-appearance of Mrs Wright at the meeting to confront tho inspector, the members who commented upon it did not think that poor people have sensitive feelings as well as those who profess to call themselves gentle, and are perhaps more susceptible. Indeed, both Committee and inspector seem to forget that the funds they hare for disbursement are simply given to them in trust for the poor and needy, and are not their own private charity. Perhaps some of those who now apply for relief have in better days contributed their quota as well as those wealthy gentlemen who give two figures. With regard to the respectable person's statement about the man being quite able to earn his own living, that may be right enough. But did the inspector or any of the Committee ever try the e.xperinent of looking for a job in the hope of getting one, and perhaps get a promise, which was forgotten as soon as the man left the promiser's presence ? How this promise cheers up the wife, and makes the world look a little brighter ; and then when he goes again he is told "Dear me; it quite slipped my memory," etc. Imagine the poor fellow's feelings (and if this should catch the eye of those who practise it, let them remember the poor and their hopes, fears, and struggles with poverty) when he goes home and tells the wife. Let the inspector and his supporters try this and see how they like it; then they would deal more gently with people who apply for relief from a public fund.

With respect to the work question, lhavc experienced what I have just inadequately described, and I have tried all sources without success so far. I have been idle a long, long time, and am one who would rather work for 5s per clay than go idle, yet work is not to be got. I trust that the Committee will keep a Bible on their table, and sometimes read a little of the "Sermon on the Mount."—l am, etc., Geokge IJoward. Upper Roslyn, May 29.