The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-12-11
Letter from the Capital.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9Th,


EDIToR JOURNAL The indianapolis Be-
nevolent Society held its 25th Anniversary
Meeting in Wesley Chapel on Thanksgiving
evening, the goth ult. The Society was
formed in the building that stood on that
site, 25 years ago, and that fact gave special
interest to the late Anniversary, several Of
the original founders being present on the
occasion The Society too deserves honor
able mention in consequence of its doing
much, in quiet but effective way, toward
solving the important social problem, how
to provide most practically for the relief Of
the poor. The practical operation of our
Soci,iy Is simply this. The city is laid off
into districts of convenient size, and Com
Mite, consisting Of a lady and a gentle.
man, appointed for each district, who, on a
specified day, visit every family in their
district, aud solicit donations of clothing
aud money. The male clothing is deposited
with an individual appointed for that pur-
pose, TO whom applicants are sent, and who
supplies them according to his Judgment
and his stock on hand.
A similar arrangement is made for the
deposit and distribution of the female
clothing, and these two Offices involve no
small part of the labor of the society
Money is deposited with the Treasurer The
district committees are expected to acquainf
themselves with all cases of restitution
within their limits and when such cases
are found, whether by their own search, or
by solicitation made, they procure clothing,
fuel, provisions medicine, or whatever may
be necessary. A special committee takes
charge OF transient persons in distress, and
such is the confidence of the Railroad
officers in the Society, they every year pass
numerous persons tree, on its written re-
quest.
Some of the advantages secured by the
Societys operation are, that sure relief is
afforded to all cases of real want, not those
alone that are approximately presented, but
also those where, from sickness or failure OF
employment, cold or hunger are crowding
in, but honorable pride makes an application
hnmhling and notifying to the last degree.
Street begging is also thus precluded. II
charity is asked of family or an individ-
ual. nearly every citizen knows, as all may
Know from the Society's cards, the names
of the Committee in the district where such
application is made, and the applicant is re-
TERED accordingly. The care will then be
Investigated, and appropriate relief admin
istered. By this course numerous cases oil
attempted imposition are every year brought
10 light, and ingenious plans for making
money out of the sympathy of unsuspecting
persons blasted in the bud.
During the past year, the Society distrib-
uted 1900 pieces of clothing, and expended
a little over $500, in various forms of re-
lief do not know that any thing is claim
Cd Inv ha Of ho
score of originality, but it is simple and eff
feetive in its working and holds deservedly
large place in the esteem and confidence
OF our community.
The Presidents Message was circulated
in extras yesterday, and appears in our pa-
psrs to-day. Thousands, no doubt. will
read it. who in less disturbed times never
encounter such documents. al. B." looks
existing dangers manfully in the face
though his theory of accounting for them
will probably lind few believers in the
North. 1t sounds oddly enough to hear a
President in his final Message, adverting
50 freely to the President elect" and spec
ulating on his future course of policy
1t Is certain we have fallen on
troublous times, and the Presidential chair
is not now, if ever, an enviable seat.
Judge Treat, of the District Court of H.
linois, is now presiding over our District
Court in place of Judge Huntington. The
arrangement seems very satisfactory to the
Bar
There is no improvement here yet in con-
hdence as to Western currency; but your pee
pie need listen to no rumors as to the Branch
of the Bank of the State-either the Indi-
annapolis Branch or any other. have il
from high authority that they VIII not sus-
pend, come what may.