The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-05
THE REALLY NEEDY.

The response which has been made by
most of the communities to which Louisiana
appealed in her need, has been most lib
eral, and there is every evidence that the
overwhelming calamities that have befallen
our people have excited the warm and
active sympathy of our fellow countrymen.
But, while this is true, It is very greatly to
be feared that the real sufferers, the people
| whose fortunes have been totally wrecked
who, though in comparative affluence
yesterday, are destitute to-day, will not re-
ceive their just proportion Of the means
provided for relief purposes. 1t is not just
that the white and colored farm hands,
who were dependent, from day to day, upon
their labor for their daily bread, should
receive either the same amount or character
of support or relief as those who, accus
toned all their lives to luxury and comforts,
suddenly find themselves thrown upon the
world with their wives and children, their
crops under water, their houses either in
undated or swept away by the rushing
waters.
These are by far the most to be commits
serated and the NEST entitled to relief. We
families Who have been compelled to aban-
don their homes and fly to the city for sue
cor, and to tender them simply the rations
that are issued to farm laborers and nothing
more would be little short of mockery. They
have no money and they need many things ;
they have been compelled to board. and
boarding costs money. We call the especial
attention Of Mayor Wilt AID the Relief
Committee to those unfortunates who have
come here relying upon the large-hearted
liberality and kindness of our people, and
we feel assured that the appeal will not be
in vain. A subcommittee might be APP
pointed whose duty it should be to inquire
into any and all such cases, with power to
render adequate and appropriate relief.
We append as an evidence of the business
of cur remarks letter from gentleman
who, with his family, was compelled to
abandon hls home to save the lives of his
family:
Mr.. Editor-Pe adventure YOU have been annoyed
by many complaints like this, but would respectfully
beg your indulgence to my statement;
am, together with my family consisting Of my
wife and four children, Of those have been
compelled to flee and abandon their homes account
of the angry waters. was conducting fine planta-
ton the Bayou Bout, flor prudential reasons do
not re to mention names) and at the commencement
Of the year INDUCED in the most sanguine expscta-
tons; but with hun reds Of Others the fatality which
has rendered our Sta wretched, and impoverished
and spread desolation thous tire holds has
rendered me destitute with suffering family looking
to me for assistance.
call these facts to your mind, Mr. Editor not be-
cause desire to seek special aid from the Relief
Committee, but because that committee makes no
discrimination in its distributions between the en-
ployer aud the employee. The former are utterly |
bereft Of their homes and household effects, their
crops are ruined and they literally desttute |
whereas the latter while sufferers doubt. to some
extent, losers only far the food i.terferes
with their daily labor. I would respectfully submit
that discrimination should be made, and that the |
money which has been so lavshly scribed for the
relief Of the overlooked should be applied so as to
relieve those who are really most in need.
Yours, etc.. SUFFERER.