The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-11-26
THE STATE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
Organize ton, Action and Address.

THE STATE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
Organization. Action and Address.
A large number of the designated
members of the Kansas central relief
committee met in the senate chamber
Of the state house at Topeka last
Thursday morning. The day was
spent in examining statistics and re-
ports and listening to information
from variou, portions of the state; 10
reading letters from people cast, fur
nished by the governor and other state
officers, and also reports Of the say
ings and doings of unauthorized par
ties who have been for some time can
wasting eastern states, but which I'M
authorized agents had never reported
or sent anything back to those stand
ing in need of aid.
In the evening Il permanent organ
ization Of the committee was decided
upon and accomplished by the election
OF Gov. Slower as president: Captain
Henry King, secretary: and f. W
Giles, treasurer.
The organization was completed By
the election Of an executive commit
tee consisting of Rev. +. 5. McCabe,
@. T. Welch and Hon. VIM. Sims, of
Topeka Rev. ". G. Tenuey, of Law
renee: Hon. Thomas Murphy, Of Atch-
ison and NJ. VI. Murdoch, of Wichita.
who were to act with the permanent
officers
The hundreds of letters received
from the east as also the demands of
eastern and Kansas railroads made the
organization of the committee imper-
alive. The railroads universally de-
clincd to send relief goods and grain
free unless committee of responsible
persons would agree TO receive AID
see them properly distributed, while
many charitably inclined persons cas-,
would only send to a regularly organ
lied and responsible committee.
The general conclusion arrived at
was that prompt and aggressive
movement should be made to collect
and distribute relief, and to that end
Rev. Dir. McCabe, Gen. John Fraser
and NJ. NJ. Murdoch were appointed
committee to prepare an address to
Tie people Of Kansas and TO the pco-
pie of the east, which address we pub
lish in connection with this article
GOV. Osborn appeared before the
committee and expressed his approval
OF the proceedings, and announced his
readiness TO cooperate in the propos-
ed work. lie stated. also, that in pur-
suancc of an order from the depart
ment, issued a; his earnest request, a
consignment Of army overcOats, trous-
ers. shoes and blankets would be sent
TO him within a few days, by The depot
quartcrmaster at Fort Leavenworth,
and that when received they should be
promptly turned over to the commit
tee for distribution among the needy.
The details of the plans of the com
inittee's operations were left to the
executive committee. The general
features of the plan may be briefly
stated: 1t is designed, first, TO collect
authentic data concerning the amount
and seriousness of the destitution in
the state secondly, to furnish a chan
mel through which the charitable of
our own and other states NAV safely
send donations, of which an account
is to be kept and published; and
thirdly, to illustrate the operations of
unauthorized and unprincipled solic-
itorS of aims at the east. The COM
mitecc do not contemplate interfering
tees in the state, but is anxious TO pro-
mote that work by cooperating with
such local organizations. 1t will be
aimed to provide as far as possible,
for having donations sent direct TO the
needy districts from the places ~IIciv
such donations are made, record be-
ing kept at headquarters Of all sup
Plies thus furnished, aud as equal
distribution as possible secured. ac-
cording TO the degree of dcsti;ution in
different localities. The committee
does not contemplate sending out So
licitors of lis own, but will recon-
mend to the governor for Endorsement
such agents as the counties or town
ships needing aid may properly recon-
mend as intelligent and trustworthy.
All the leading railroads of the coun-
try have agreed to transport free of
charge all relief goods consigned to
the committee, or shipped under its
direction. Each solicitor under the
authority of the committee will be
furnished with blanks and reports so
that the committee may know just
what such solicitor is doing and W no !
makes the contributions.
The Commonwealth speaking Of the !
says it is composed of some |
of the most prominent and reputable |
citizens of Kansas, who are known all |
over the state and in other states east.
and whose names are Il sure guarantee /
that the arduous and difficult task |
which they have voluntarily undertake
IN, without any hope or desire of any
reward save the thanks of grateful /
people. will be honestly, industriou,ly |
md discrcctly performed. We be /
,pcak for them the earnest support
md assistance Of all good citizens,
md cheerfully certify TO the outer
world that they are in every way
worthy of confidence
To local committees of Sedgwick.
sumner. Harvey. Butler, Cowlcy. How
nd. and other southwestern counties
where the EAGLE is read, we would
urge that they immediate
Y make reports 10 the society setting
orth all known eases of restitution.
he general condition Of their respec-
i've territories or townships and an