Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-15
WORCESTER.
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER Is, 1919.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER Is, 1873.
The BosroS CITIZENS RELIEF COMMIT
TEE" held 4 meeting, yesterday, to consider
what they ought to say in reply to offers of
pecuniary aid for sufferers by the FIRE There
was not entire unanimity of opinion. Some of
the committeeman thought that no pecuniary
assistance from abroad was necessary. They
believed that Boston herself could easily pro
vide for all the cases OF suffering. Hon. VIM.
GRAY expressed this view in brief speech which
we find reported as follows:
"Mr. Gray alluded to the many noble offers of
assistance which had been proftered by other
cities Immediately upon learning Of the fire, and
the only question which arose then was what
answer could be made to those parties. 1t was
necessary that some response should be made,
aud pending the investigation by which only
could the extent of our calamity he known
dispatch was prepared and sent by Mayor Gas
ton, with the full approval of the committee, TO
the mayors of Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Phila.
delphia, Chicago, Allegheny City, Providence,
and the president of the New York chamber of
commerce, informing them that pecuniary as
sistance would be received with hearty thanks
The responsibility ofthe dispatch should rest on
the committee, but believing that the people of
Boston could provide for the sufferers he offered
the following resolution;
Resolved that while we are profoundly grateful
TO the people OF all parts of the country who have
expressed their sympathy and rendered their
sstance to in calamity and with entire rea d
ness and thanksgiving to accept the same ii cir
cumstances made it necessary to do so, it gives
alloyed pleasure TO say that while our losses have
been great the providence has so blessed people
that the assistance sOigenerously rendered our cii
zens is not required,
This resolution was seconded by Hon. Thomas
RUSSELL but it was opposed by Mr.. Nathan
Matthews, Rev. William B Wright, Hon. Josiah
Quincy, Mayor CASTOR, and others. Mayor
Gaston's views were expressed as follows:
"The mayor said he thought nearly all of
them failed to appreciate the magnitude of the
loss sustained by the fire, not only by the
wealthy people, but by the pcor. There were
two forms of charity in this city, one of which
was aid bestowed by the city government in the
usual channels, and the other was private chart
", which existed only TO limited extent, nei-
ther Of which forms he believed the people of
Boston wanted to resort to in order TO relieve
the sufferers. As aid would not be asked by
those in need under these existing forms, the
question was, should we dare interpose and re-
fuse the aid so generously offered, and take the
fearful responsibility OF standing between charity
and suffering because we were too proud to re-
ceive assistance? He was as proud as any per-
son OF Boston, but in an emergency OF this kind,
where thousands of people turned out of en-
plOyment would soon need help, he knew no
state or municipal lines but would thankfully
receive the gifts so generously offered. Ii a fund
could be raised here sufficient to meet the wants
OF sufferers this winter, who would never beg,
but must be sought ont and cared for, then it
would be perfectly proper to say to other cities
we thank you, and shall not need your noble
offers oil assistance;' but unless that fund could
be guaranteed on the spot, he did not believe it
right under existing circumstances 10 reject
those Offers
Mr.. Gray's resolution was laid on the table,
and after considerable discussion, the following
resolution, introduced by Mr. Matthews, was
adopted unanimously:
Resolved, that the committee, in behalf of the
citizens Of Boston, return most sincere thanks to
their fellow citizens in all parts of tine Union for
the warm expressions of sympathy which they have
rendered at this time of calamity, and for the
friendly offers of pecuniary aid which they have
made, and that these friendly offers be- and they
are hereby gratefully accepted"
1t is undoubtedly true that the destitution and
suffering caused by the Boston fire are by no
means so great or so general as we saw caused
by the great fire in Chicago. Not many dwell
ing houses were burned in Boston. There was
very great destruction Of valuable property in
Boston, much greater in proportion to the ex-
tent Of the con6agraton than in Chicago; but
tilO Ap9o iabiiS NuCilN OLl wealthy DuSiltSS lhGil
and on the insurance companies. In Chicago
the families made houseless were sufficiently
numerous 10 people a city; families that lost
everything, and, for the time, were wholly des
titute A few families were made houseless in
Boston; but the suffering that needs attention
is chiefly among the men and women who have
been suddenly thrown out of business near
the beginning Of winter; and the number Of
these is doubtless greater than some of the COM
mitteemen supposed. The western cities are
manifesting their sympathy in substantial
way. The committee from Chicago was present
at this meeting with $50 ,OOO the irst installment
of their offerings. Mr.. Gray stated that $751;
900 OF the money raised in Boston for Chicago,
was still on hand, aud he wanted the gentlemen
from that city to understand that it was subject
10 their disposal A committee from Philadel-
phia, also, was present, offering peeuniary aid
and urging the committee to accept it. 1t may
be that Boston could provide all that is wanted
but il was not easy 10 resist this argument Of
the Philadelphia committee: of fire or any
other calamity should befall Philadelphia, she
could not accept Boston's aid, unless Boston
should accept what is now offered by Philadel-
phia."