, 1875-01-17


facts relative to tho alleged s11tferings by the
grasshopper invasion of Kansas, which como
from reliable source, and this information
should be given to the public to project it
from further imposition. There hos been
proof enough to satisfy the public that there
haa been considerable suffering in some Of the
northwestern counties OF Kansas; but subse-
queut information shows that the truth has
been grossly exaggerated for the purpose Of
working upon the sy1npatlies aud pockets Of
charitable people in the Middle and Eastern,
as we'll rs the Western, States, and getting
contributions for the relief Of ssSu1fering
Kansas" The country is literally swarming
with beggars from Tint State, who arc magni-
flying tho accounts Of suffering, and collecting
in proportion to tho dimensions of their
stories.
When the Legislature Of Knnsas, or the
call Of the Governor, met in extra session
short time ago, it authorized all the County
Of the people in each county who had suf-
ferod from the II grasshoppor scourgo," so IS
to enable them to put in their winter crops
and obtain seed for the spring sowing. Only
o7ae county, Reno availed itself Of this priv
iego, and that county, through the ope~ct;ons
OF q ring Of spectators, had already issued
bonds to an amount exceeding the selling
value Of the property in the county. In I'd
dition to this, it is notorious fact that
Kansas is full Of cattle, fodder, grain, and
fruits Of all kinds It's farmers were never,
better off financially than now. Notwith-
standing this, nothing has been done in
tho Stats towards relieving itself. Tho
begging committees in the State itself,
which is ovar1owing with producta and
which boasts its 5000 miles Of rnilroad and
its six or seven hundred thousand population,
have not tarried at home, but have set of on
their mendicant pilgri1nages through the East
and the West, and are now nnrrating their
stories of destitution and obtaining provisions
and money to the valuo Of tens Of thousands
Of dollars. A single instance will show the
character of this inlpoBition:
Near Beloit, little place in the western
part Of Kansas, the grasshoppera injured
part Of tho crops Of few farmers. Three or
four Of them came into the village one day
and announced that they were going East to
obtain 9'relief." They had letters, drawn up
by themselves, setting forth an exaggerated
condition Of destitution, which, through the |
influence Of a dsma6 ogue, were indo1sed by !
ths town authorities. They also induced the
Council to pass resolution setting forth the |
impoverished condition Of that region, and
obtained a copy Of it, certified by the Mayor,
ard personal credentials, as well as certif- |
Gates from olergymen. Armod with these
documents, they started East, taking |
in St. Louis first, which yielded |
them handsome sum. Loaving St. !
Louis, they took tho towns along the OHIO
River,-Louisvillo coming down handsomely, |
and finally reached Cincinnati, where they
srcated frst-clasa sensation. The news
papers aided them BY publishing columns of |
It interviews" with them. The churches,
The public charitable organizations, the Cham t
ber ct Commerce, and private citizons, all
contributed, 1ayishly. LII this manner they
obtained iln':'*oss amounts Of provisions and |
clothing, t..,ss thousands of dollars in |
and kept the roads busy Transporting
their supplies, they themselves mean
xhilo getting out Of the operation property
the entiro value Of their, farma |
Having successfully "worled" Cincinnati, t
hog moved On, Like ths srnsahoprar, md +
srs now talllna their tfstla stodaa md sal-