The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-13
PRODUCE MERCHANTS TO THE
FRONT.

welisf Meeting ut the Produce Exchange
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Addresses by
: Rev. job n Hall. Rev. A. Wiswall, Rev.
- Il. M. Pease and Rev. H. Newton-A
. Committee OF Fifteen Appointed to So
lictt Subscri pti0ns.
The meeting at the Produce Exchange yes
kerday afternoon was characterized by the
earnest promptness and despatch usual in
business meetings In this city. There was but
pittle applause. The speeches were short and
crisp and listened to with serious attention, and
NO time was wasted in idle discussion. At a
quarter past two O'Clock Mr.. Franklin Edison, the
President, called the meeting to order, and at
three O'Clock 1t was already adjourned. The mem
bers Of the Exchange who attended included nine
renths OF the produce merchants usually doing
business on the floor, and as there were but few
seats most OF the auditors had to stand upon the
Moor, on the staircase and wherever they could
dnd sufncient space. 1t was large gathering,
comprising many of our most respectable and
wealthy merchants, and the committee for solicit
ing subscriptions which was appointed Will IN
doUDtedly be able to relieve hundreds and hundreds
OF the suffering through
THE GENEROSITY AND BENEvoLENCE
of the members Of the Exchange.
In calling the meeting to order the CHAIRMAN
said This meeting has been called az the request
OF seventy-nve members OF the Exchange for the
purpose OF considering what steps should be taken
to relieve the suffering poor OF the city, and in
order that we may act Understandings in this
matter we have invited several gentlemen, who
are more familiar with the subject than any OF u.s.
to address you on this occasion. take pleasure
IN introducing to you the Rev. DR.. John Hall.
(Applause.)
DIR. HALLS ADDRESS.
The Rev. DR.. HALL was then introduced and
smoke as folows:-
Mr.. President and Gentemen-I have no partic
ular knowledge on this subject that Is not within
the reach OF every gentleman in the city, nor have
] any special wisdom to suggest system that had
better be adopted. In the early part OF this win
ter we were threatened with panic on the sub
ject of want nearly as alarming as the panic in
commercial circles. Measures were proposed for
relief large scale, the very discussion OF which
attracted to the city many persons who otherwise
would have taken care OF themselves IN the coun-
Try. We must take care that we do not repeat
THIS HAzARDo Gus PROCEEDING
in any public action more particularly at this mo-
ment, when the worst, think, has been reached,
and when things must rapidly improve. 1t APP
pears 10 me that the machinery OF bepevoence IN
this city is sufficiently extended already and
should regard IL as public calamity 1t were en-
larged. The channels are cut and open, and all
that can be required is sufficiently large current
70 now Ia them and 10 now TO the proper quarter.
would even go to the length OF adding that
enough flows all eady in these channels II it could
be confined TO those who have just claims on be-
nevolence. 1t would appear to me to be wise for
TINS body, assuming that you propose to give some
TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE
from among yourselves to examine the existing
agencies and determine which OF them you can use
beers OF the committee and not bad for charities.
There u further suggestion would respectfully
though It be at some nconvenisnoe Better to Iet
500 90 In that way 10 men under your own eyes
than to cut some Oh, save the money and give 1T as
Q subscription. so, the ladies at home might have
q hint from you that you woulc honor any bills for
seamstresses, If not in making up new things, at
least in that necessary work OF revising old gar.
ments, which ladies' so Wen understand. lAp-
pause) Nearly every house has some
from among which persons may be selected as
charwomen, porters, errand boys, and forth.
Iook tsem up for yourselves and aid them where
cheerful tone. in my opinion, formed on such ex-
peiience as working clergyman has, and his op-
mace BY public institutions there is no real cause
lor alarm To show you the grounds on which
rest the more cheerful view Of things let me give
themselves 10 my view. There are first OF al, the
paupers' criminals and unortunates-
49,, VERY HFELlCIToUs GROUPTNG,
Mucn nope VIII be amended, for whom the Com
mssiohers Of Charities and Correction provide at
the rate Of nearly si,2So,ooo year. II insurcient.
under proper management this can be Increased
easily. me commissioners report that they now |
give outdoor relief to over 10000 persons Sec. |
Ondly. We have the class OF emigrants who nave |
not yet been I'VE years in the country, who them
selves provide fund for their care az thew come
and Tor whom the Commissioners OF Emigration
provide at the rate OF 100000 a year. Then we
nave, thirdly, men out o. employment. because
trade organizations, with which they have yoIun.
tariy associated themselves, do not sanction their
working except on conditions
TO WHICH EMPLOYERS DEyrR
pity the wives and children OF these men, but I
or one 40 not feel the force OF these mems claims
Ior public relief Applause.l Nor do | believe
.nas any considerable number OF American work
men ny sustain their clam TO pubic aid. TAP
cents VINO candidly told me he could not and
would NOT WORK for less than So a day. Then
there remains q fourth class--the Respectable
poor-no included in any OF these and eminentiy
deserving OF sympathy in their difficulties But
the respectsble poor Will be found IN some one or
other 81 the chur shes, and hoad 1t TO be
THE DUTY OF THE CHURCHES
TO take care OF them and keep them In the