Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-15
To the People Of Washington.

The undersigned, committee appointed by
the Provident Aid Society of Washington city
to devise ways and means for continuing Its
work of alleviating the restitution and suffer-
ing among the deserving poor of the city, desire
to present brief statement of facss for the con-
sideration OF the public and TO rs X at its hands
such material aid and active cooperation as
may be thought necessary and proper, in view
Of all the ircums tances.
In round figures, the receipts Of the Society
at the date Of its last meeting, on Tuesday last,
may be stated at $500. OF this sum, the col
Letting committees in the several wards have
returned the following amounts: First Ward.
$3.50; second, S26; third, 500; fourth, Sl,269
collecting from Government employees have re.
turned S2,275; five of the city churches and one
sunday school have contributed by collections,
1851; three lodges have contributed $lOs The
Metropolitan police ball produced $685. and
the voluntary contributions to the Treasurer
make up the balance.
The Society relieves, on an average, the wants
OF about seven thousand persons daily, at cost
OF over $1,000 per week. Its means do not, how
ever, warrant 1t in undertaking to supply the
wants Of all applicants, nor yet to relieve to the
extent asked those who are the recipients Of its
limited stores,-its rule being TO aid, as far as
possible, the most needy, without regard to age,
sex, religion color, or nationality. 1t has in its
treasury about $1,000, which, at the usual rate
OF expenditure, will maintain its operations
about three weeks longer. 1t is considered
necessary, however, that they should be con-
tinued up to the first of April, or Whereabouts,
when the rigors Of winter will have passed
away, and when, it is hoped, fields of LABOR
now closed to those willing and anxious to
WORK, Will be, in measure at least, reOpened.
For this purpose, the farther sum of $500 will
be required, and to raise that amount is the OBJ
Ject OF this appeal.
From the exhibit above, it Is manifest that the
duty OF caring for the destitute has not been
equally discharged by our citizens, whether
reference is had TO either their pursuits, their
places OF worship, or their geographical loca-
ton within the city limits. To equalize this
duty, and TO afford all an opportunity to con-
tribute as their means may Justify, four plans
are proposed, rs follows:
l. BY collection. for the benefit Of the fund
OF the Society, in all the churches of the city
(where collections have not already been taken)
on Sunday, the 23d instant. In this step the
active and hearty cooperation OF the reverend
gentlemen in charge Of the same is confidently
expected; and it is respectfully suggested that
such notice be gwen from the pulpits in ad-
vance as will enable the several congre cations
to be prepared to respond with liberaiity at the
time named.
,. BY careful and systematic canvass of the
different wards not, heretofore, thoroughly can.
yassed for aid. In this step the earnest and i'm.
mediate assistance of the ward directors anu
the ylsItng committees is urgently invoked.
3. BY special public entertain ments At places
OF amusements. These will include an attric.
tive matinee entertainment At the National
Theatre on the afternoon of Thursday, the both
instant. a series of tableaux, etc, and possibly
other similar exhibitions Al places, and times to
De nXed upon hereafter, due notice of all w hich
will be given TO the public in proper time and
in the usual manner. To lovers Of amusements
who can. in this way, and at the same time
gratify their tastes and do substantial good, il
is thought nothing more need he said.
4. BY voluntary contributions direct TO the
Treasurer, (Mr. A. X. Shepherd,) by those who
may not have the opportunity or disposition to
isr'hsr the ends OF the society through either OF
the plans proposed above
Individual cases of terrible destitution and
suffering. involving sickening details, might be
given, 10 arouse sympathy, but such recitals
are not deemed necessary. The whole case
may be summed up in a few words. The num-
Der OF suffering poor in the city is great,
beyond precedent or parallel; their wants are
many and pressing; the Proyident Aid Society
Is doing all in ITS power, with the means
furnished IL, and by the individual exertions
Of its members, to relieve them; and
without further contributions its efforts must
stop, when their continuance is necessary to
prevent actual stary alton. With this statement
OF facts the committee is willing TO leave the
subject TO the impulses of a generous public,
without argument or application, satisfied
that those who give as they are able will find
in their food new strength and sweetness and
in their raiment and fires new comfort, through
the consciousness of a divinely imposed duty
cheerfully performed.
PETER PARKER, JT.GIvEN
JAMES =. JUSTIN, s. II. KAUFFMANN
IHos. T.. LLOYD. Comm,nce.
iWAsHINGToN, 10Th February, 1s6e.