Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1912 — The Lord Loves A Cheerful Giver, But-. [ARTICLE]

The Lord Loves A Cheerful Giver, But-.

The Democrat does not want to throw cold water onto ariy worthy object, but really, isn’t this charity stunt being overworked in Rensselaer? The promiscous giving of charity is apt to breed indolence and a tendency to depend upon the efforts of others rather than the exerting of one’s own self in keeping the wolf from the door. There is no excuse at this time for any able-bodied man or woman in Rensselaer asking or expecting charity, unless sickness or death has perhaps entered their homes. No good citizen wants to have any deserving man, woman or child suffer for the necessities of life V in our midst, but those -who idle away their time should not be supported by the industry of others. To help such people only encourages them in their indolence and they come to believe that the public owes them a living. He who will neither sow or reap deserves little consideration from those who do both. *.We have seen charity extended here time and again to many people who do not need it and who are better off than some of the people who gave to the charity fund. And this has gone on from year to year until they have become accustomed to expecting it and believe that they are entitled to it. At one time here the township

trustee was extending aid right along to many families who wero better off than some of the taxpayers who were helping support them. They had pianos and telephones in their homes and other luxuries. They had come to believe that the poor fund was an easy mark and that they were entitled to a regular place on the list of beneficiaries. Some of them were arrogant in their demands for aid and resented the inquiries of the trustee who followed as to their real needs and condition, with the result that the list of “regulars” was cut in two. And no suffering resulted, cither.

As previously stated there is no reasonable excuse for any abk-bodied man or woman, with a few exceptions, being in need of charity in Rensselaer at this time, nor has there been in many years. There is always plenty of work here for those who desfre it, but the man who wants to get a job of harvesting ice ir. July and plowing corn in January, and will do nothing else, is neither deserving of assistance or sympathy. The promiscuous giving of aid, whether needed or not, is setting a bad example and should be frowned upon. More real kindness can be done in finding work for those really wanting it, or giving them work, and thus teaching them to depend upon their own hands for support, than in giving them a sack of flour or a ton of coal and assuring them that more will be forthcoming when mis is gone. Permanent charges should be discouraged, and this can only be done by investigating each iiidiridual case and giving aid only where needed and deserved.