Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-12-07
THE POOR OF KNOXVILLE.
Meeting nj the Court House for the Relief
of the Poor

PURSUANT 10 the call published by Mayor
John S. Van Glider, calling meeting, a large
number of citizens assembled at the court house
last night to take steps toward relieving the
poor Of Knoxville, who are unable TO provide
themselves with tho necessaries Of life, and are
forced 20 depend on charity to avoid actual suf-
Fering
On motion OF Mr.. j. a. Rayl Mayor Van
Glider was called to the chair who explained
the object of tho meeting, in feeling and appro-
pirate terms There was great deal of suffer
ing now, and it behooved those who were able
to contribute Of their means for the relief of the
destitute. In the days Of slavery, the colorod
population were looked after by their masters
they had the best of medical attendance when
sick, and were comfortably fed and clothed
now they were dependent upon their own re-
sources, and in consequence great deal Of suf-
terlng had occurred among them.
He was in favor of asking county aid for the
relief of the poor, and thought the county should
be divided into four of five districts embracing
three or four civil districts, and the designation
OF proper persons to ascertain all the cases of
distress that might exist and take steps for their
alienation After dwelling at some length on
the subject, the chairman appointed tho follow
ing gentlemen committee for the city at large
to receive contributions of money clothing or
food and distribute them properly.
l.. &. Shepard, G. G.. Nelson b = STACY J.
7. Ambrose and Henry Davis
Tho appointment of secretaries having been
overlooked at the organization of the meeting
on motion, the reporters of the press were re-
quested to act as such
The chairman then announced tho meeting
ready for business, whereupon, Mr. Charlton
asked that the duties of the committee appoint-
ed above be defined, which was done. In add-
ton to receiving and disbursing charities, the
committee was instructed to keep an account of
everything taken in and given out in a book,
which could be seen at any time on applica-
ton.
Rev. DR.. Humes said that as the matter then
stood, the duties of the committee was very
onerous and that the gentlemen comprising II
could not give the subject the attention il de-
served without seriously ncgleoting their pri-
vate business, and moved the appointment of
subcommittee in each ward to assist them and
made motion 10 that effect.
Prof. kirkpatrick endorsed heartily tho mo-
ton of DR.. Humes, and hoped the names of
those appointed on such committees would be
published in all the papers ofthe city
DR.. Humcs accepted the suggestion Of Prof
kirkpatrick, and the motion as amended was
passed.
On motion of Mr.. Charlton, a committee of
| five were appointed by the chair to present the
action of the meeting to the County Court at its
| January session, and ask the assistance of that
committee: DR.. j. NJ. Boyd, Alfred Caldwell.
| Esq. Dr. T. w. Humes, Mr. T. IL Head and
Hugh L. NcClung, Esq.
| DR. Tsdlock made few remarks lie en-
! uOiseu all tnAI nau DeCn SAID on the rubleCt,
but while the immediate alienation Of suffering
was both praiseworthy and necessary yet the
| citizens of Knoxville should look beyond
| cphemeral charity. He looked to sonnet hing of
a permanent nature, and offered resolution
| providing the poor with medicine and medical
| aid free, where parties were sick and unable to
| pay doctors and druggists bills A city hos
| pital was needed very much, and with the
| growth of the city the necessity would increase
The resolution was read and elected much
| discussion.
Dr. Mcintosh said he thought the best plan
| to afford relief was by levying special tax for
the purpose, similar to the poor rate of English
! towns. 1t certainly was the most energetic and
just plan.
M. Charlton thought the discussion Of the
! city hospital question was beyond the province
| of the meeting, which was TO organize plan of
immediate relief, besides being a waste of time.
A large sum of money would be required to
| carry out such plan, and any ono working or
| talking for it would have their labor for their
pains. The churches were the most powerful
agents for the alienation of distress in all its
| forms, and Christians of all denominations
| should take the lead in objects of charity. He
did not know what others were doing but the
NJ T. Church, South, had set about the matter
| in systematic style They employed a female
missionary who looked after not only the spirit.
ual, but the temporal wants of the poor in Ger.
tain localities, whose salary was paid by the la.
dies sewing society.
Rev. DR.. Humes stated that about twelve
or thirteen years ago, Col Sneed had donated Q
plat Of land within the present corporate limits
on which TO build n hosptal-that the County
Court had appropriated 81 600 for its construc,
ton, which having never been used, owing Il
the late war, had been rsafirmed since then
and that when the East Tennessee Relief Associa
ton had disbanded, 90, 900 or $4,000 in money
and claims had been given to the hospita
fund.
Dr. Boyd said he had the money in his hand
as one of the trustees-that the foundation had
been built, but no other work done, as tho IT'LL
to the property was in dispute in the Courts
The vote on the question was then taken anC
DIR. rs resolution laid on the table.
A. Caldwell, Esq, moved that a special tax
for the relief of the poor be levied by the City
Council if agreeable to the people and that
vote be taken on it at the Municipal election
The following gentlcmer were appointed by
the Chairman to receive donations of money
food, clothing or fuel in their respective wards
LIST Ward. g. s. Mcdaniel
| I'd Ward-M. +. Smith.
Sd Ward G.. G. Nelson.
4th Ward-Samuel Newman.
9th Ward-Beniami Fahenstock
9th Ward-Goorge II. Smith.
18th Ward-Pat Sullivan.
| Sth Ward-El Hixon.
The following were appointed q committee e
distribute the articles received
! lst Ward-A. r. Formwalt
2nd Ward-Hiram Barry
Bird Ward-Henry +. Glass
18th Wards. B. Boyd.
9th Ward--T II. Head.
Oh