IRRESPONSIBLE INSTITUTIONS.
The Independent, in its Symposium of December 11th upon Gen. Booth's Plan, has an article from Charles D. Kellogg, Superintendent of the Charity Organization Society, in which, referring to a certain irresponsible piece of charity, he says:
We do not believe that it is right for any one to ask for the support of such an individual enterprise, except from those who give it because of personal knowledge and confidence in the manager. When the public is appealed to, such contributions take on the nature of trust funds, the receipts and disbursements of which should be audited and accounted for in the fullest and frankest manner. To encourage such private, uncontrolled and unaccounted for undertakings, is simply to open the door for any number of conscienceless schemers who are quick to impose upon the benevolent public.
The same is true of irresponsible educational institutions. All who receive funds for such charitable purposes, are virtually stewards of trust money and ought to give an account of the same. All properties thus developed ought to be put into a shape to be held securely and perpetuated, and not left to become the personal possession of the solicitors. Pious zeal and "faith" do not prevent the waste in such a case. "Wisdom would not put cut and hammer-faced stone for the foundation of a mountain school house, and costly glass in the windows," but "faith" has done this, and keeps on doing similar things.