The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-02-26
RICHMOND, February %, 1867.

RICHMOND, FeDruary Z5, 1901.
Messrs. Editors,-The last appropriation
made by the city $4,000 was exhausted
last Thursday and / have thought it best,
now that careful roll of the poor has been
made out by Messrs. Martin & Cardozo, to
hand over to them what funds l have or
may hereafter receive. It would be i'm
possible, had the means, to issue rations
to the 500 or 1000 persons whom these
gentlemen have been so cheerfully supply
ing, in addition to those in the suburbs,
whom have been aiding for two months
past.
1t may be proper to state that the whole
amount Of private donations for the poor
made through me, and also put to my
credit at Messrs. Warwick & Barksdsle's,
is $S15.60.
Since the 10th of December this fund
has supplied 400 families with bread.
Many Of these applied but once, the city
appropriation coming to my relief. Others
applied occasionally, when out Of work or
in extreme need. About $50 have been
expended In shoes, tea, coffee, and sugar
for the aged and sick, and "cheap wood "
and coal for those in the suburbs not sup
piled with fuel by the city. Small sums
have been given to aid persons In getting
to the country. Several colored persons
received rations-one or two were sought
out who were known to be worthy.
Ihave got to- learn Of single person
aided who was not really in need. | have
met with perhaps O. hundred who had
never before sought assistance, and many
of these asked for 1t with swelling hearts
and swimming eyes.
In relieving 400 families It is probable
that 1900 persons have been succored, and
the forty contributors (some Of the most
liberal not yet publicly acknowledged
may congratulate themselves In having
supported and cheered 20 many In Q win.
ter Of unusual severity.
It is painfully probable that real poverty
will be the lot of many Of our worthy peo.
pie for several years to come and it is
highly important that other and better
means than issuing rations be adopted foI
their relief. They must not be forced II
acquire the habit Of begging. This il
almost worse than death itself. II seemi
to me that there are several methods Of al
least diminishing the number Of these sui
ferers: E ~ e,ir -. sr a
lst. By buying nothing from abroad tha
can be manufactured here. Thisis no new
suggestion. 1t has been repeatedly urges
by every newspaper in the city, but, un
fortunately, not generally observed. ]
rigidly carried ont, the, good effects Of !
would be seen and felt in thirty days. Bet
ter give little more here than 20 else
where. This Is no narrow, sectional policy
but Is demanded by our necessities. 4
gentleman lately sent his !" measure y
New York for q suit of clothes. Did d.
think Of the suffering mother who, hal
clad, wss seeking work from house Z
3. Give the, poor work; improve youl
property n you can-labor is very cheap
II 81 hoped that souue measures may b,
sdonted 20 establish . cotton or w6olca
| f1ctory here q A early day. This ofyer
| the most certain and permanent relief, ami
thers is no reason 20 doubt but that th1
ssock ckholders would Mud The investmen
stay the poor for work q soon as Dos
sible.. issued rstions to widow thi
Afternoon who had worked hard all day
bat was sent home 10 her children empty
handed. Let thoss who need instrucAic
here consult their Bible, OF rssd No lei
ter written by Sir walter Raleigh 70 hI
son the night before his execution, IN
they win probably dn no omore. -
There Is another suggestion IN regard >
trelieving tho poor, not confined TO Rich
-.