Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-10
HELP FOR CHICAGO.
Meeting of Employees at the Govern
ment Printing Oniee-Address of
Hon. A NJ

meeting of the employees of the Government
Printing ONCE was held this afternoon, and was
called 20 order by II. T. Brian, who said:
FtiioIr-'r0TkBien We have assembled here 10
devise WAYS 10 swell, 80 far a. our means will
permit. the generous and noble contributions
for the calamity-stricken people of Chicago. L
need not attempt TO paint the horrors Of that
dreadful scene, the reality outstrips even the
imagination. | am happy, however TO announce
that the terrible confagration has been Provi-
IDENTIFY arrested. What action. fellow-work-
men, will you take 10 further the objects of this
meeting?
ON motion, Hon. A. VI. Clamp was chosen
Chairman, and John +. Perkins secretary.
ADDRESS OF Mr.. CLAP.
Mr.. Clapp, upon taking the chair, made the
following wcll-tmed remarks
Gentlemen of the Government Printing Office
ana Blndery: We have assembled upon this
Unexpected occasion in response to that nObess
impulse of the human heart, which prompts as
to do unto others as we would that they should
do unto us. A cry of distress comes to us from a
heretofore favored section of our beloved coun-
try A young and fourishing city, which, but a
few short days since was the pride, admiration
and wonder of the world, has been reduced by
the hand of Omnipotence to a smOuldering pile of
ruins. Under an inscrutable providence the fire
hend has been let loose upon the fair
city OF Chicago, and il is now a desola-
ton. One hundred thousand of its
people have been reduced from a condition OF
Opulence and comfort to absolute restitution
and want by this fearful and sudden catastrophe
Neither house, nor home, nor food, nor raiment
are left TO shield and preserve them from the
piuless blast and the approach OF hunger. One
hundred and fifty millions of dollars in property
have taken To themselves wings and flown away
IN this devastation. The millionaire OF last Sat
urday Is the paupeI OF to-day. And now, gen
tleinen, the cry comes up from the charred re-
mains of that late beautiful and prosperous city,
" Help us. or we perish!'' Shall we. who are
enjoying the blessings of comfort, if not OF
wealth, turn deaf ear to this startling appeal?
No, forbid il. As God has given us the
ability, let each one connected with this
great national institution extend help
ing hand in this hour of disaster
and distress. Eventhe widows mite will be ap-
preclated, and God, will bless the hand that
drops IT into this pgent and worthy charity.
Ihisterrible calamity appeals to the more gen.
erous impulses OF us ALL and in this hour OF aic-
ton we are reminded that cit is more blessed to
give than TO receive" and that as we give we
shall receive our reward. We will now proceed
with the important work before us, for starving
people cannot brook delay.
Mr.. X. W. ClaNtop then offered a preamble
and resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted, that the employees in the Government
Printing Office appropriate a days pay 80 for the
benefit of our distressed cOuntrymen of the city
of Chicago. as an evidence of our sympathy in
their aftiiction and desire to help to ameliorate
suffering humanity"
Mr.. Clapp then stated that ,as he might not be
counted as anemploye. he would there announce
that 500 (his share) should accompany tie gov
ernment office contribution