NEW YORK, like every other great and populous city, is largely overrun with an army of beggars of both sexes, representing all ages and nationalities. Some of these are wealthy misers, retailing pretended sorrows to increase their gains, others meanly beg to avoid industry, a large number are improvident, and some hitherto industrious and successful are so reduced, in times of general embarrassment, that begging becomes a necessity. Many of this latter class, finding themselves thus sadly in decline, become demoralized, and sink down to the slum of common pauperism. It is hardly a virtue to give indiscriminately to all that ask, because dissipation, idleness, and needless vagrancy, would be thus greatly increased. All have not the time to inquire into the character and condition of applicants, hence the necessity of a carefully organized association, to whom the worthy poor may successfully apply.

In 1843 this Association was formed, and in 1848 it was duly incorporated. The wonderful increase of foreign paupers had greatly swelled the army of straggling mendicants. To meet the demands, more than thirty almsgiving societies had been formed, many of which gave far too indiscriminately; all acted independently, thus furnishing an opportunity for artful mendicants to draw at the same time from several societies without detection. This society did not design to supersede any other, but simply to supply what in others was manifestly lacking. But so wise and comprehensive was its plan, that in a short time most of the others disbanded, leaving a far greater burden for it to carry than it had originally anticipated. The Association divided the city into twenty-two districts, which are again subdivided into sections, so small that the visitor residing in each could call at the house of every applicant. No supplies are given save through the visitor. The Association gives no money, and only such articles of food and clothing, in small quantities, as are least liable to abuse, giving always coarser supplies than industry will procure. The design of the Association is not the mere temporary relief, but the elevation of the moral and physical condition of the indigent; hence, temporary relief is resorted to when compatible with its general design. It requires every beneficiary to abstain from intoxicating drinks, to send young children to school, to apprentice children of suitable age, thus making the poor a party to their own improvement. During the twenty-seven years of its operations, the Association has relieved over one hundred and eighty thousand families, varying from five to fifteen thousand per annum, amounting to at least 765,000 individuals. Its disbursements down to October, 1870, amounted to $1,203,767.53.

The labors of the Association for the elevation of the indigent and the suppression of unnecessary pauperism, have been crowned with the most gratifying results. Its last annual report states that the average number of families relieved for the ten years ending with 1860 was 8,632, in a population averaging about 625,000 souls; while in the decade closing with 1870, with a population of over 900,000, but 6,131 families had been the annual average number relieved. These figures show that during the first decade named there was an absolute gain in the pecuniary independence of the masses previously relieved of seventy-one per cent., and during the ten years closing with 1870 an additional improvement of fifty-four per cent., or the substantial gain of one hundred and twenty-five per cent. during the last twenty years.

It will thus be seen that the amount of relief afforded by the sums of money expended give but an imperfect estimate of the service rendered by this Association to the cause of humanity. Always managed by wise, philanthropic minds, it has ever been first to discover the source of public evil, and prompt to suggest and apply the true remedy. Indeed, to this Association more than to any other are we indebted for the successful inauguration of more than a score of our most excellent charities. Besides furnishing the public with volumes of statistics, accumulated with great expense, in relation to our population, the causes and remedies of poverty, the unhealthy condition of our dwellings, and many other things which have led to great reforms, it has waged unceasing war with the public nuisances of the city, its lotteries, Sabbath desecration, gambling dens, intemperance, and many other evils. In 1846 a system for the gratuitous supply of medical aid, to the indigent sick in portions of the city not reached by existing Dispensaries, was organized. This led to the founding of the Demilt Dispensary in 1851, and the North-western Dispensary in 1852. In 1851 it projected the New York Juvenile Asylum.

A Public Washing and Bathing Establishment was established in 1852, at an expense of $42,000, and the following year the Association procured an act to provide for the care and instruction of Idle Truant Children.

In 1854 the Children's Aid Society was formed by the demands of a public sentiment which this Association had largely created. The Workingmen's Home was erected in 1855, by the direction of the Association, at an expense of $90,000. During the war it held steadily on its way, and accomplished a vast amount of good in more ways than we have space to enumerate. We mention in honor of this society—last, but not least—in 1863 it organized the society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled, which ranks to-day among the noblest charities of New York.

The Honorable Robert M. Hartley has been the indefatigable corresponding secretary and agent of the society since its formation, and to the patient thinking and incessant toil of this gentleman is the public indebted for much of the good accomplished by this and by several other societies. We cheerfully acknowledge our obligation to the secretary and his associate, Mr. Savage, for various items of information embodied in this work.