essays-1-第22章
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e Poor； to serve without fee or reward： fourthly； by publishing； at stated periods； such particular and authentic accounts of all receipts and expenditures； that no doubt can possibly be entertained by the Public respecting the proper application of the monies destined for the relief of the Poor： fifthly； by publishing an alphabetical list of all who receive alms； in which list should be inserted； not only the name of the person； his age； condition； and place of abode； but also the amount of the weekly assistance granted to him； in order that those who entertain any doubts respecting the manner in which the Poor are provided for； may have the opportunity of visiting them at their habitations； and making enquiry into their real situations： and lastly； the confidence of the Public； and the continuance of their support； will most effectually be secured by a prompt and successful execution of the plan adopted。
There is scarcely a greater plague that can infest society； than swarms of beggars； and the inconveniencies to individuals arising from them are so generally； and so severely felt； that relief from so great an evil cannot fail to produce a powerful and lasting effect upon the minds of the Public； and to engage all ranks to unite in the support of measures as conducive to the comfort of individuals； as they are essential to the national honor and reputation。 And even in countries where the Poor do not make a practice of begging； the knowledge of their sufferings must be painful to every benevolent mind； and there is no person； I would hope； so callous to the feelings of humanity； as not to rejoice most sincerely when effectual relief is afforded。
The greatest difficulty attending the introduction of any measure founded upon the voluntary support of the Public； for maintaining the Poor； and putting an end to mendicity； is an opinion generally entertained； that a very heavy expence would be indispensably necessary to carry into execution such an undertaking。 But this difficulty may be speedily removed by showing； （which may easily be done；） that the execution of a well…arranged plan for providing for the Poor； and giving useful employment to the idle and indolent； so far from being expensive； must； in the end； be attended with a very considerable saving； not only to the Public collectively； but also to individuals。
Those who now extort their subsistence by begging and stealing； are； in fact； already maintained by the Public。 But this is not all； they are maintained in a manner the most expensive and troublesome； to themselves and the Public； that can be conceived； and this may be said of all the Poor in general。
A poor person； who lives in poverty and misery； and merely from hand to mouth； has not the power of availing himself of any of those economical arrangements； in procuring the necessaries of life； which other； in more affluent circumstances； may employ； and which may be employed with peculiar advantage in a public Establishment。Added to this； the greater part of the Poor； as well those who make a profession of begging； as other who do not； might be usefully employed in various kinds of labour； and supposing them； one with another； to be capable of earning ONLY HALF as much as is necessary to their subsistence； this would reduce the present expence to the Public for their maintenance at least one half； and this half might be reduced still much lower； by a proper attention to order and economy in providing for their subsistence。
Were the inhabitants of a large town where mendicity is prevalent； to subscribe only half the sums annually； which are extorted from them by beggars； I am confident it would be quite sufficient； with a proper arrangement； for the comfortable support of the Poor of all denominations。
Not only those who were formerly common street…beggars； but all others； without exception； who receive alms； in the city of Munich and its suburbs； amounting at this time to more than 1800 persons； are supported almost entirely by voluntary subscriptions from the inhabitants； and I have been assured by numbers of the most opulent and respectable citizens； that the sums annually extorted from them formerly by beggars alone； exclusive of private charities； amounted to more than three times the sums now given by them to the support of the new institution。 I insist the more upon this point； as I know that the great expence which has been supposed to be indispensably necessary to carry into execution any scheme for effectually providing for the Poor； and putting an end to mendicity； has deterred many well…disposed persons from engaging in so useful an enterprise。 I have only to add my most earnest wishes； that what I have said and done； may remove every doubt； and re…animate the zeal of the Public； in a cause in which the dearest interests of humanity are so nearly concerned。
In almost every public undertaking； which is to be carried into effect by the united voluntary exertions of individuals； without the interference of government； there is a degree of awkwardness in bringing forward the business； which it is difficult to avoid； and which is frequently not a little embarrassing。 This will doubtless be felt by those who engage in forming and executing schemes for providing for the Poor by private subscription； they should not； however； suffer themselves to be discouraged by a difficulty which may so easily be surmounted。
In the introduction of every scheme for forming an Establishment for the Poor； whether it be proposed to defray the expense by voluntary subscriptions； or by a tax levied for the purpose； it will be proper for the authors or promoters of the measure to address the Public upon the subject； to inform them of the nature of the measures proposed； of their tendency to promote the public welfare； and to point out the various ways in which individuals may give their assistance to render the scheme successful。
There are few cities in Europe； I believe； in which the state of the Poor would justify such an address as that which was published at Munich upon taking up the beggars in that town； but something of the kind； with such alterations as local circumstances may require； I am persuaded； would in most cases produce good effects。 With regard to the assistance that might be be given by individuals to carry into effect a scheme for providing for the Poor； though measures for that purpose may； and ought to be so taken； that the Public would have little or no trouble in their execution； yet there are many things which individuals must be instructed cautiously to avoid； otherwise the enterprise will be extremely difficult； it not impracticable； and； above all things； they must be warned against giving alms to beggars。
Though nothing would be more unjust and tyrannical； than to prevent the generous and humane from contributing to the relief of the Poor and necessitous； yet； as giving alms to beggars tends so directly and so powerfully to encourage idleness and immorality； to discourage the industrious Poor； and perpetuate mendicity； with all its attendant evils； too much pains cannot be taken to guard the Public against a practice so fatal in its consequences to society。
All who are desirous of contributing to the relief of the Poor； should be invited to send their charitable donations to be distributed by those who； being at the head of a public Institution established for taking care of the Poor； must be supposed best acquainted with their wants。 Or； if individuals should prefer distributing their own charities； they ought at least to take the trouble to enquire after fit objects； and to apply their donations in such a manner as not to counteract the measures of a public and useful Establishment。
But； before I enter farther into these details； it will be necessary to determine the proper extent and limits of an Establishment for the Poor； and show how a town or city ought to be divided in districts； in order to facilitate the purposes of such an institution。
CHAPTER。 II。 Of the Extent of an Establishment for the Poor。 Of the Division of a Town or City into Districts。 Of the Manner of carrying on the Business of a public Establishment for the P
