Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-03

OUTLOOK FOR THE WINTER IN wILMIsGToN-THE
NRoEssIToUs CASES LESS NUMEROUS THAN YEAR
AGO, BUT THE DEMAND FOR ORGANIZED RELIEF
BTfLL ExIsrINd.
The advent OF Winter has brought to light
many cases of want and destitution which had
been concealed before the cold weather set in.
FROM every portion Of the city there has come
up within the past few days appeals for help, and
some Of the cases are sad in the extreme. Only
yesterday COMMERCIAL reporter, while gather
ing information upon which to base some idea
OF poverty in our midst listened to the recital Of
numerous instances of utter destitution and
helplessness.
or one fact, however, we are assured by those
who are actively engaged in the work OF relief.
Itis, that there is less Of real want in Whining
ton now than one year ago. There is smaller
number OF men out OF employment many of
those who were helpless, last winter, have re-
moved from the city the peripatetic tramp Is
less numerous. and all the causes have con-
spired to reduce the number Of the needy Be-
sides, many OF those whose lots were 30 miser-
able, last winter, gathered wisdom from ex-
perience ana by a better economy in the
summer are better prepared to go
through the present season. A lady
whose opportunities for observation on ac-
count OF her conspicuous work OF relief in
forms us that she is aware Of but four cases
where the male heads of families are unemploy-
ed but there are great many others, no doubt,
as will be known in few days, when she re-
ceiyes the information which will be brought to
her by virtue Of her position.
Those most needy at present are the widows
and children. large number OF this class of
destitute persons are scattered all about the
city. They are the ones most needy of relief,
and appeal most directly to the public sympathy.
Up to this time the Young Ladies Relief Society
have been able to relieve many OF them. This
is the class which come within their especial
province. Their well devised system Of helping
people to keep themselves has been great ben
eft TO the female poor but now that All increas-
ed demand has been made upon them by the
presence OF the cold weather and the increase OF
applicants, they find themselves in most un-
comfortable situation. With means circumscribed
and with no revenues at command save az
they are obtained from the charitably
disposed, the prospect is not very en-
| couraging. Daily now they are receiy.
ing additional calls for help, and what can they
do? They feel they are engaged in good work
that their labors are amply repaid but they
| are without means to prosecute it as they desire
or the necessities require. People are backward
in supplying them with work and they are re-
ceyng less than they expected. Consequently,
they propose now as one step to greater useful
ness to make up common underwear which will
be exposed for sale at the Holly Tree Inn al
cost prices.
Pursuing our inquiry as to the necessity fol-
organized relief outside of the Young Ladies'
Relief Society, we were assured by conspicu-
Gus member of it that there il abundant work to
do. AT the best the ladies' now engaged in the
work of relief can only hope to reach limited
result. They feel that they cannot assume the
| responsibility of the entire city, and besides
| their system Inequalities them from it
Assistance in work is their method
but they have numerous appeals for help il
| other ways, many persons being unable to Dc
their work. Hence any organization which car
relieve this class, and those whom the sooiet,
now existing cannot reach at all, will not only b'
useful but become the means Of expellng thu
gloom and despair which we are assured is set
tling over many homes. The work may ais,
very well be begun now. Later in the winte
still greater work may be found.