The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-09

honorary committee. Among these
names are those of Mrs. L. W. Je-
rome, Mrs. w. B. Astor, Mrs. August
Belmont and others. The committee
also included the names of all the
District Commanders, as well as Go
vernors of ten or twelve States.
I'VE understand, by information
received at police headquarters, that
the whole affair is 'swindle from he
ginning to end, and the explanation
Is this: A number of philanthropic
ladies in this city organized a society
immediately after the news of the ut
ter destitution prevailing in the South
reached the North. This society was
intended to aid in the grand move
ment for relief then organized in all
:ao States. and was presided over by
Mrs. James j. Roosevelt, who was
ably aided by an energetic board of
vice-p presidents and committees.
Scarcely had this Ladies' Society for
the Aid of the Destitute of the South
fairly commenced operations, when
the gift enterprise just alluded to
made its appearance. Handbills and
circulars were scattered broadcast
throughout the land, and the result
was that the original society found
themselves followed by gigantic
shadow, which derived all its Shape
and movement from their efforts.
eve have been unable to ascertain
whether any of the ladies and gentle
men, SO prominently mentioned as
lending their influence to the enter
prise, really did give permission for
this use of their names or not. In
some instances the police have ascer-
tanned that names of several have
been used without even asking per-
mission. The report of the police
regarding some of the Executive
Committee and the officers of, this So
called society is quite unfav5rable-
we do not feel called upon to say
more. Since the enterprise has been
started, II dozen rumors have been rife
regarding it; one was that the Trea-
surer had absconded, and another
was that the police had interfered,
and so broken up the affair, with
others of similar import. Exactly
how many tickets have been sold will
probably never be known, but it is
very certain that the greater part of
the holders will not receive any re-
turn whatever, while the prizes
even should they be distributed
not be found to represent the value
specified in the bills
The proprietor OF the PAeni.e, as
an act of justice to himself, deems it
necessary to make statement of the
causes which induced him to agree
to dispose of tickets in this so-called
gift enterprise. During business
visit to New York, in June last, the
subject was broached by individuals
in whom he had confidence of
them a gentleman from Abbeville
District, and another q latter day re-
sident of Columbia; the object stated
being to dispose of 100000 tickets,
at 50 each. and to distribute prizes
valued at $500, ,OOO-leaving q margin
of $2O0,000 profit, after deducting
the necessary expenses, which was to
be distributed among the different
Southern States. The first prize-a
house in Fifth Avenue-was de-
signated. The parties proceeded to
the residence of the acting secretary
Of the Ladies Southern Relief Asso-
citation, in Fifth Avenue; and after
some conversation, the proposition
was made to insert an advertisement
i'll the Phenir, tickets to be accepted
as pay for the same; and also to take
number to dispose of in Columbia,
for the benefit Of the society-all of
which was agreed to. The adver-
tisements and circulars, contain
ing the names of many of the frs.
families of New York, were dis
tributed freely about the Northern
States; and it really appears very
singular why those parties allowed
their names to be used, without pub
fishing denial of the authority.
Remittances from the sale of tickets
were made to Bentley, Clark & Co.,
Washington-in which city it was
stated the DRAWING -yOuld come off