Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1874-05-30
The Distribution Cf RatiOnS
Editors RichlGaH B.nc03

80 ~ 'i''" NV .lldNt Ill NUuT
columns, to inform the people of our
Parish, what has been done towards
furnishing supplies for the dcs,i-
tutc, rendered so by the unprece-
dented flood /; al d to instruct the dis
trlbuting committees Of our Parish in
regard to the disbursement of the
same. There seems to be different
opinions prevailing in regard to the
means furnished, the source whence
1t has been derived, and as to who
should be recipients Of the same
Many colored people think they are
furnished by the United States Gov
ernmcnt for their special benefit, and
that this stream OF milk and honey
will continue to HoW the remainder of
the year; and, they being wards Of
the nation, it i unnecessary for them
to labor CT toll any more tbs season
and under this Impression, many
refuse To work frcm their homes, even
at high wages: they seem to hug the
deusive old idea Of forty acres aud a
mule" a great May white people.
who are tax PAYERS, think that it is
an appropriation made by the State
Government, and, they being the tax
payers. are therefore entitled to draw
full rations, although their larder is
pretty well stored with the necessaries
Of life These are all wrong Others
who have sufficient supplies to last
them for several months, say that a.,
b. and c., who have their supplies, are
drawing rations, and while Chicken
pie" is being dished out so literally
to those who are able to help them
selves, they too want finger in the
pie-and therefore apply for rations.
According to my understanding,
this is all wrong. The present funds
used in purchasing supplies, SO far,
has been furnished by magnanimous
and liberal people, from different
States, Cities, Societies, and individ-
uals, for the purpose of relieving those
who are suffering from the overflow,
and have not the supplies on hand,
nor means to furnish themselves and
families. 1t is not specially for the
white man nor the black man, but for
the suffering people; end, so con-
slider it, and am fire. 10 say, that any
who accept these oounties, who are
not overfowpi and are able to help
themselves, impose on the donors
do not believe that even those who
are in part, or entirely ovcrnowed,
who are able to help themselves,
should ask or receive these supplies.
While | do believe there are many
who refuse aid from this source,
through modesty or false pride, that
should accept it. Congress has made
an appropriation of $4,000 as a re-
lief fund. l am not aware that any
of it has yet been received for distri-
button.
The Relief Committee in New Or
leans, l believe, are doing all they
can to aid the sufferers; not only IN
purchasing and forwarding supplies,
but also selecting distributing agents
through the country where none have
been appointed. And here l beg
leave to drop suggestion to the dis
tributing agents of our parish Chose
appointed by the Police jury which
may be applied by others: Before
issuing any ration, take the name of
every head of a family in your dis
trict, and get the number of each FAM
lily, enquire into the condition, circum-
stances, etc. and discriminate those
who are not overlooked or only par
TALLY overlooked, and have supplies
or means to procure the same, reject;
and those who can get work and refuse
to labor, also reject; but those who
are willing to labor and earn some
thing, while their land is inundated,
give them supplies. This will en-
courage industry, and force the law
AMI the indolent to go to work. /
consider the honest mechanic, who
has been thrown out of employ ment
by the food, entitled to this aid
While | consider the claims of idlers
and loungers about towns, villages
and neighborhoods, should be rejected.
The Relief Committee in New Or
leans are only agents for the givers,
and have been selected by their fellow
citizens, as faithful representative
men to carry out the wishes of those
who place funds in their hands for
certain purpose; and you, gentlemen,
appointed by the Police Jury, are the
representative men of yonr section, to
receive and correctly distribute these
aims of noble generosity, and any
misapplication that you may make, is
wrong. The givers have right to
discriminate, and you have the same
right. l was informed by one of the !
committee (Col. Sandidec) that they
had received petitions, headed by /
leading men, for rations for the hill
country, which applications were re-
jected Thus we plainly sec that it is
the desire of the donors, that this .
help should extend alone to those who
have been denied their means of sup
port, and who are prevented, by the .
food, from performing that labor .
which they have been, and are still
willing to do, for living; while our
paramount duty is to carry Out their
desire. would also suggest regular
days for issuing, and urge each mem
her of the dist ribntinr c,,,,u;,tco 20