Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-06-01
The Citizens Relief commission.
THEIR WORK THE PAST WINTER.

~
yesterday, Mr.. VIM. Stickney. President
of the Citizens Relief Commission, sub
mltted his report 10 the Commissioners of
tie District. He states that the labors OF the
commission commenced December o. 1874
and terminated April 10, 1875: that the sys-
tenn pursued was substantially the same as
In previous years. Personal application for
relief was made at the rooms of the commits
sion. when the address was taken and placed
in the hands of a visitor for n personal vista
lion and inspection of the homes of the appli-
cantS, relief being granted Ordeclined accord
ing as the visitors report was favorable or
otherWlse. The aid furnished where the Wis
TORS reports were favOra BILE usually consisted
OF ten pounds of flour, twenty pounds Of meal.
and quarter of ton of coal. Sometimes q
dollars worth of kindling was added. No
helpwas afforded Oftener than once a month
After congress made the appropriation of
$1,000 for the poor of the District the COM
mission Included shoes in the articles fur
nished, and as pairs OF shoes were submitted
al an average cost OF Sl.22. y summary of
the work is given. showing: Number of or
ders issued for provisions, 3, 800; for fuel SOP
families visited, 1896; individuals aided
l0,O9S. at all aggregate cost of so. SSH. EX-
elusive OF this there were supplied Ssh mems,
NomenS and children's garments, most of
which were kindly furnished by the quarter
masters department of the United States
government. The balance were supplied by
private donations. y number of ladies' gem
eIOusly gave their labor in altering the arti-
cles of apparel furnished by the government
and adapting them TO the use of women and
but = 600 of $4,000 appropriated by the act
OF Congress approved March ,. $50. is ac-
counted Tor by the commission. OF this ap-
preparation there was assigned 10 the CITY of
Washington. $1,000; TO Georgetown, S2OOO
and 10 the county, S20O0. The county has ifs
separate board of almOnerS with which the
rellei commission of Washington has nothing
10 DO. OF the $500 assigned for the benefit
of Washington and Georgetown. we have
expended - ZOO, for all of which vouchers
are submitted, leaving still 10 the credit OF
finn
District, II 600 available for future use.
HE discusses the subject of public charity
at some length. and refers to the legislation
IN England on the subject as not having had
the desired effect. He SAYS the ignorant
Idle and vicious are generally the first To
claim the benefit of public bounty. TO the ex-
clusiOn OF the really needy and deserving
who not only do not thrust themselves for
ward, but prefer suffering and want in soli-
tube. That there was great restitution among
the poorer classes in Washington during the
past winter there can be no doubt; and it is
generally obvious TO my mind that the num-
Der OF those who applied for and received re-
Ilei; VINO were unworthy. was not inconsid-
erabIe. That outdoor relief is often made
the occasion for vicious indulgence and is
often prOmOtive of improvidence and idle
ness. is unquestionable; and after several
years experience in connection with the re-
lief OF the poor in Washington. following the
best system practicable. by voluntary SER
wee on the part Of the alnloners. entertain
serious doubts whether. considering the sinh
iect in all its aspects the dement's are not
more iban couhterbalanced by the evilS-I
say voluntary service. 1t is known
mat the gentlemen who constituted the
relief commission were active ousi-
ness men, whose time was largely en-
gagged in their private affairs. Often
we could with difficulty secure the attend
aHce OF a quorum at the meetings, and our
operations were impaired in consequence
what IL needed is a central bureau with
some intelligent, discreet, benevolent man
at its head, who shall be amply compenSafed
A al 10
devised 50 that the names and residences of
any applicant for relief should he recorded
az me cehtIal bureau, 10 which also should
az once be transmitted the names of those
who apply 10 the numerous other benevolent
societies. individuals and Orga nizatiOns that
row so extensively aud success
July practiced. might be effectively pre-
vented Such service, requiring talents and
discrimination, can only be secured by fair
compensation, and it is evident that econ
Ofny ana morality could both be greatly
promoted by such method. The skill and
snrewdness often displayed by these SONS
anu 9aughlers OF poverty to defraud the be-
neNoleht ana impose upon the charitable
renders the exercise of the greatest possibie
care necessary 10 guard against deception
~ \. mas oeen well said that "psuperism is a
disease OF the body polite, anG every effort
should be made 10 prevent IL becoming
chronic and contagious" 1t is Questionable
whether the defective system prevailing
among us does not rather encourass and dis,
seminate the disease"
A
CASE.-1 fStprI
in the Circuit Court. Judge Humphreys. the
case OF Abrams agt. Lincoln and Willard and
de Wandelaer was called. This is a suit 10
recover payment for mixing and superintend-
ing the laying of concrete pavement known
as The Scarn pavement, ON 5th street, between
g street and New York avenue The plaia-
TIN claims that Lincoln and Willard had a
contract for such work, and made a contract
with him in September, 1873, and he mixed
the preparation and superintendent the Law
ING OF $50 square yards of the pavement.
n. is contract was verbal one, and he claims
ma by their direction he went 90 de Wan
ieria>a ar and made a written contract of the
.ame import The defendants, l.. and W..
lain IN At the contract was wi In de Wander
aer, and that they are not liable and that
he suit a, ainst them jointly will not lie.
A fer argurn ent this morning, Judge Hum
Dhreys decided that the plaintiff could not
recover under n evidence offered. The case
was postponed IN. I'll tomorrow.
CLOSING SALE At THYSoN's To-MoR-
Row THE balance of the hardware, paints,
)tls, varnish, wooden ware and housekeep-
ng goods generally will be sold to morrow.
laNgrA .s.fsa