The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-02-11


served from starvation. the pressing
wants OF thousands of human beings,
and our reputation as humane coin-
monwcalth, are matters of still higher
concern. THOMAS A. OSBORN.
Rooms OF THE
KANSAS CENTRAL RELIEF COMMITTEE,
TOPEKA, February 5, 1875.
Hon. Inos. Il. Osborn. G0UernOr:
SIR-Agreeably to your request adj
dressed to US, we hereby offer brief
statement OF our views Of the present
condition of the relief question, SO
lar as we are connected with that
question.
Within the last two months supplies
To large amount have been sent to
pur needy people By this committee,
md through other channels. In our
Judgment the local distribution Of
,hese supplies has been, Oh the whole.
airly aud indiciously conducted. As
"A result the imperative necessities
of our people have been met to this
time as fully as could have been cx-
prcied under the circumstances.
We have assidnonsiy devoted our
selves TO the responsible aud arduons
work assigned us, with the under
standing that our duiics would cease
upon the assembling Of tho legislature.
Now, however, we find these two
facts 10 exist:
First, that the needs Of our people
are increasing rather than diminish
ing. OF this we are assured by the
uniform testimony of reliable persons
who have the best opportunities for
becoming acquainted with the real
condition of the sufferers from the
calamity which last summer visited a
large portion of this state.
AS the season advances, the re-
sources of our citizens are being ex-
haustcd. 1t is specially to be borne in
mind that many persons who would
have maintained themselves, and who,
in the early part of the winter, ex-
pressed their intention to do so, have
generously shared with their less for
tumate neighbors until the restitution
of one family in given neiyhborhood
indicates the poverty of all. No fea
turc in the history of these sad times
,s more mark cd than tho diepoeitiot,
on the part of the people to divide
their supplies with one another to the
last bushel and the last pound.
Secondly, that our resources are de-
creasing. Our friends in the east
seem to expect that the legislature
| will provide for the needy people OF
the state. This expectation, combined
with other causes, has led TO u serious
\ decline in our receipts, and in reports
of shipments made to us.
These two facts, increase Of need
aud decrease of supplies, plainly show
that this committee cannot possibl,
furnish the food aud clothing and fue
which our destitute citizens absolutel,
require.
We do not assume to instruct Others
rs to their duties, but the belief tha
We can meet the wants OF those who
must be helped until new crops cat
be raised. is without foundation, ant
is wholly unauthorized by US; and W,
distinctly declare that we cannot justl,
he held responsible for the disastrou
consequences that may result from
such belief by wholnsoevcr it may b.
entertained.
In a word, our statement is this
We have performed to the best Of GU
ability the labor placed upon US; bu
we have not, in possession nor in pros
;,ect, the means demanded in order 4
provide with the accessories Of Lift
the thousands of families in the stat
that rightfully ask aid in their prescn
,nisfOrtunes.
Fully aware that q business pape
should simply present facts In pas
sionlcss style, we vet cannot forge
that the subject with which we ar
dealing involves the lives of multi
Jude of hardy men aud patient w0mel
aud innocent children. In their OK
tremity they have faith IN the execu
tive department and the legislator
aud the citizens of the better supple,
portion of the state. They cannot b
persuaded that VIC will suffer them t
perish. Their cry for help comes I
us on every fierce blast that sweep
over their rude dwellings. Every cou
>ideration of policy, every sentimeu
of honor aud humanity and religion
demand that their cry shall not be dis
regarded.
We have the honor to be
Very respectfully yours,
+. s. SrovER,
HENRY KING,
ORRIN I. WEIGH,
F. w. GILES,
i F. S. McCABE,
w. c. TENNEy,
NJ. NJ. MURDOCH,
THOMAS MURPHY,
ALFRED GRAY,
J, Executive Com. X. T. Il. Con