The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-21

THE RICHMOND RELIEF AsSoCIATI0N.-AS
had been anticipated, the means at the dis
posal of the energetic managers of the Rich
mond Relief Association have been gradually
diminishing, and now it is with great regret
that we learn that sufficient funds are not now
on hand to meet the ordinary demands of the
current week. 1t was intended at first that
provisions and clothing should be distributed
as far as possible in place of money, but this
has been impracticable on account OF the
small amount which has been placed at the
disposal of the Association. The gentlemen
who have conducted the affairs of the Associa-
ton have been actuated by the purest and
most benevolent motives, and 1t remains Tor
us to give them that additional power which
they well know how to exercise with prudence
and discretion.
A plan must be formed for organizing per-
manenL subscription, and for this purpose we
suggest that members of families should
engage to subscribe limited sum, say TWEEN
ty-fiye cents n week, payable monthly In
advance. The visitors of the Associa tion in
the several districts would assuredly canvass
for subscriptions, and no person could hesitate
to contribute so insignificant a sum as the cost
of one cigar per week. or the value OF less
than one yard of ribbon Several citizens in
the city have also Informed us that they are
willing and anxious to make contributions OF
clothing and provisions, and 1t Will be Well
for the President of the Association to inform
the public by whom, where, and when, such
offerings will be received. A regular monthly
subscription, which can be depended on, Will
give permanency and stability to the Relet
Association, and the managers will then know
| from week to week how much relief they Will
be able TO afford.
The purse-strings of the charitable are
ALWAYS more readily loosed when pleasure can
be combined with duty and in order to meet
the wants of our poor until a permanent fund
is formed, we suggest that series of concerts
be given at the Theatre, and course of lee
lures at the churches, which will assuredly be
we'll attended in view of the attractions when
lxr tod n n
audience. We have distinguished and eloquent
diyines in our community who Will readily
lend the aid of their great talent TO succor the
poor, whom we have always with us ana
the musical amateurs of our city will take
pleasure in arranging musical entertainments Us
for the purest of all causes: These things,
however, will be but occasional, and, as has
been already said, the success of the Relief
Association will depend on the formation of n
permanent subscription list, regular and cer-
tain in time and amount, however small each
individual contribution may be.
Since it's organization, the Relief Association
has received, in contributions, three hundred
and ten dollars collected in this city, and nine
hundred and fifteen dollars collected In Balti-
more and New York. Also, in provisions, one
barrel OF -four and one barrel OF sugar and
three thousand pounds of pilot bread from
New York, and five barrels of herrings from
Halifax, Nova Scotia Three hundred ana
fifty persons have already applied for relief,
and this is not one-hah the number who re-
Qulre lmm6QlaIe dSSiSLdHCc hc hao
been dis istributed in sums of from one dollar
TO three dollars to each applicant.
These figures have a mute eloquence which
will be more forcible, perhaps, than any ap-
peal which we could make. The citizens OF
Richmond have never been tardy in Offering
assistance to those in af1iction and distress,
and we are sure that, SO soon as the melan-
choly condition of the pecuniary affairs OF tne
Relief Association is known, the old spirit and
old energy will reappear, and we shall have no
cause to make a second appeal on behalf OF
those who, through no fault Of their own, are
now incapable of supporting and maintaining
themselves.