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The questions studied have been approached both from their theoretical and their practical side. They have been examined with reference to their multiform relations to individuals and to the community, as questions of government, of social organization, of philanthropy, of political economy, of public policy, of education, and of moral and religious obligation.

The work of the Conference has been purely voluntary and gratuitous. It has never had a paid officer. It has paid the cost of publication of its own Proceedings, and has distributed them freely without charge. Whether it needs, or would be benefited by the creation of, a permanent fund, in the nature of an endowment, is a question with regard to which its members are not fully agreed; but there can be no doubt that aid of this character, from persons in sympathy with its work, would be accepted, if freely offered, and that a wise use might be made of such a fund, if sufficient to enable it to enter more extensively on the work of publishing and diffusing knowledge upon subjects which are acknowledged to be of vital consequence to the welfare of society, but may not interest the public at large.

The nucleus of this organization is the State Boards of Public Charities, who originated it and have given to it a semiofficial character. The societies for the organization of charity in cities are also an important element in it. But it welcomes to its membership all persons officially or unofficially connected with charitable or correctional work of every description in every part of the Union; and every charitable institution or association in the country is invited to be represented at its meetings and take part in its deliberations. It has no formal constitution or conditions of membership, and no fee for entrance or annual dues. The governors of States in which there is no Board of Charities have been in the habit of sending delegates to its meetings, and they are requested to commission suitable persons to attend the meeting at Washington. That city has been selected with special reference to the convenience of the Southern States, and it is earnestly hoped that there will not be a single State or territory unrepresented there.

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