The New York herald., 1867-01-29
THE SOUTHERN RELIEF COMMISSION.

Meeting mt the Merchants Bank of the Ex-
ecutive Comrnittee-Election of Onicers ana
Committees-The Business Transacted, dc.
The Executive Committee of the oIthern Relief Com
mission met yesterday afternoon at the Merchants Bank
Wall street. W. M. yermilye in the chair; Messrs Ohm
sted and coleman acting as secretaries.
The following gentlemen duly elected members
OF the Executive Committee, with power TO add TO their
numoer:-Nathan Bishop John Taylor, Fred G. Foster,
Archibald Russell, Howard Potter John NJ Bruce, Eliot
Cowden, VIM 7. Coleman, Samuel D. Babcock J.
Pierpont Morgan, Rev. Edward Bright George C. Ward
Dr. Q. W. Agnew. Frederick L. Olmsted and James NJ
Brown.
Mr. COLEMAN suggested that in order to bring the mat
ter properly before the public and excite popular SYM
pathy pamphlet should be published setting forth the
objects and progress OF Commission up to the
time. Considerable discussion ensued and 1t was fnay
to make an appeal to the public in the shape
OF circular, which should be made brief and concise
as possible.
The committee proceeded 70 elect Mr. Archibald Rus
Messrs Brown Potter, Babcock, Cowden and Morgan
were appointed Finance Committee.
Mr. POTTER, on behalf OF the Finance Committee re-
quested Instructions in regard TO collecting subscrDtions
He believed that in order TO be pecuniary successful
the Commission must clearly define the manner in which
the money would be employed and the agents in the
South, through whom IL would be dispensed The
Secretary had already received offers to subscribe from
two gentlemen, OF whom stipulated that the money
should and the other that should not be dsbursed BY
agents OF the Freedmen's Bureau great deal Of di
Guilty would be experienced inducing people SUBJ
SCRIBE unless they first informed In what manner
the money they gave would be applied. Communca-
tons had even been received denying that any distress
existed in the South The best plan would probably be
70 write TO General O. Howard for information and
advice both the state Of affairs aud the best
means OF relieving the suffering OF the people, any
existed.
Mr.. COLEMAN said that the to be adopted for
dispensing the funds raised had already become very
embarrassing and very important question for the sou-
tion Of the committee II had occurred TO him whether
they had not better distribute relief through the most
reliable merchants and business men, who have
been business men, In the South such gentlemen
would be Trustworthy custodans Of the money ntrusted
to them, and would be respected BY everybody This
plan, nc thought also extremely practicable, espe
cally IN the larger towns. The Freedmans Bureau had
great many enemies to its working. Furthermore,
1t was government agency, and that account some
very embarrassing questions might be raised 70 the
proprety Of the Commission availing themselves Of H.
And, although such consideration was not deserving
of much notice. relief would be accepted by the Southern
people with less grace from the agents Of the Bureau
than from persons simply acting as agents Of the Com
mission. The Governors and leading politicians Of the
Southern States had been suggested ut agents Of the
Commission, but he certainly disapproved Of such .
The motion OF Mr. POTTER to request the advice Of
General Howard was then unanimously concarred IN.
working Of the Commission would be the great expense
OF transporting provisions clothing to those parts Of
the South where they were needed.
DR.. BRIGHT stated that the Southern railroads and
steamship lines would doubtless concede favorable
terms for carrying the donations Of the Commission
Apart from this he had informed that the Georpa
Legislature had already voted appropriation of
$40 600 for the purpose Of deaying the
porting the supplies 10 be gwen by the Commission
relieve the suffering classes that State The other
Southern States would, without doubt adopt similar
for furherng the ends proposed by the South
ern Relief Commission.
Mr. COLEMAN said chat In addition aAd offered by
the Southern Legislatures arrangements might be made
with the S0uhen railroad and steamship companies
grant considerably reduced rafes of transportation. He
personally acquainted with many Of the railroad
men Of ths 6uh, and he had hesitation in stating
thai an application for modified rates Of trans
portat0n would be fvorabY entertained. K
would no doubt, greatly quckan the benevo.
lence Of subscribers TO the Commission when
feeding and clothing the destitute people or the
south On the other hand U two hundred dollars had
TO be expended in order convey three hundred dollars
worth Of supplies to the suffering districts, would
dampen public liberatity considerably.
The committee will meet for the present, until the
organization ID placed In thorough working order twice
week, at O'Clock, every Wednesday and Saturday
1t 10 hoped that subsequently but one meeting week
will be necessary 70 transact the business Of the Com
mesiQn.