Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-01-05
- .-.I-l..----------- -
STATE ITEMS.

ton AMI that it was proposed to take
energetic means for their relief. 1t
now appears that the benevolent citi-
zens Of that place, grown weary in
well doing, are qnarreling over the
acts Of the Relief Association, while in
the meantime the poor are again star
wing. The UeraW thus speaks of a
part Of the difficulties.
After considerable urging, effort and
squirting, there was Relief Association
formed here a while since. An asso
citation was formed, because it was
thought that system would accomplish
more than dcsultory individual effort.
Things went on swimmingly for little
whiIc-thc most urgent cases were
placed in comparative comfort. Excel
lent, so far.
When the Association was formed,
a Treasurer was elected, and by the
Constitution, all funds were to be paid
to him. A short time since, an exhib-
ition was gwen, which in one sense,
served to exhibit the physical confor-
nation Of few who acted in it, but
which, on the part Of the city, was de
signed for the broader purpose of re-
licving the poor. The whole city at
tended literally. Some 5000 we're
raised, and this instead Of being dis
tributed over the city, was with the
exception of five dollars or Whereabouts,
kept in the Third ward. Those citizens
who paid their contributions at the
tablcaux, who have not the honor of
residence in the Third ward, feel that
the retention of the money in that
ward was unjustifiablc, and the as
sumption Of a right by an individual
which is, to say the least, superrogative.
They think that money has been, or
will be applied for purposes of relief,
but they seem to think that report
to the public from whom the money
came, of the manner in which this
money has been applied, would be both
customary ard satisfactory.
The public constituted no one in
the Third ward, the exclusive almoner
OF its gifts to the tableaux-the whole
city wanted to give the money for the
benefit of the mhoie city, and not for
any special precinct, dwclt in by those
who mnistercd to the qualification of
the public at the Peoples Thcater.
SO much for this matter. The
Treasurer says he has not received
dollar yet; the various ward commit
tees have in vain attempted to get up
meeting and, in fact, the relief cx-
tended ont of the Third ward, has been
done mainly by half dozen individu-
ais, who have given themselves poor
almost, to relieve those about them.
The matter must be remedied. If
we pretend to work upon system, let US
have system. Let the public be in
formed why a fund made up by the
whole city should be retained by indi-
viduals, instead Of being paid into the
treasury of the Association. Let the
Association be organized under such
officers, that when they call meeting
that they will take the trouble to at
tend. Things are getting back to their
original statc-the relief thus far has
been merely spasmodlcaI, and must be
constantly repeated to insure perma-
nency.
| COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER.-A COM
| plimentary supper was given to Hon
Isaac Cook, on New Years Eve, by the
bar and officers of the District Court
at Marion, Linn county.
FIRE.-On the morning ofDcc. ed
the house of S. Abbey, on the west side
OF the Wapsipinicon river, at Indepen-
dence, was destroyed by fire. The house
cost SlOOO-insured for 800. So says
the Cirilion.
GONE UNDEE.-Thc Index, the Re-
publican organ of Davis County, pub
lished by IL. Il. Horn is discontinued
We understand that the press is to be
removed to the county seat of Keokuk
county for the purpose of publishing q
Democratic paper. Hope it is So
That able and staunch democratic
paper, the Clarion, has now q clea,
field. 1t deserves, and we hope viii
receive liberal patronage.
FEsrIvAL.-The ladies of the Pres
byterian Church at Marion, Linz
county, gave a supper on Christina,
Eve, which Melted to about S64.
NIGoRous LoNGEvIrY.-The Du
buque Herald says: "Mr. II. C. Swain
the gentlemanly telegraph agent o
this city, has an aunt, living some four
teen miles from Dubuque who is a,
evidence Of the healthful character O
Iowa soil and climate. The old lad,
is aged seventyeight, and, to use tn,
expressive language Of her nephew
she lis just in the prime of life" She
reads the finest print without glasses
has beautiful and perfect set of teeth
which have grown in within the las
the last ten years-she was never sicl
an hour in her life. She has neve
seen railroad or locomotive engine
always travels alone in sulky, neve
wore hoops, is extremely good look
ing, and is said to resemble her nephew
or rather vice rersa.