Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-02-19
something About Suffering Kan.s..
a FEW FACTS FOR EASTERN PEOPLE.
From the Boston Journall


The appeals which have been made to
the people of the East to relieve the suffer-
ings of the people of Kansas have excited
some surprise among those who know the
character of the majority of the people
who make up the population of that thrift
ty State. While we do not pretend TO ques-
ton that there is suffering in Kansas, as
there is in every State of the Union, we
have pretty conclusive evidence before us
TO show that the reports have been exag-
gerated, and that much of the money sent
out there had Letter have been retained at
home. A gentleman, for many years a
resident of this section of Massachusetts,
was written TO few weeks since by
friend in Boston, and solicited to give his
views of the condition of affairs in that
Slate. The object Of the applicant was TO
furnish such relief as he could afford, ir
the destitution of the people was as great
as represented.
In reply to this inquiry the Kansas gen.
tleman has seut two letters, not intended
for publication, but written with full
knowled e of the events. The first ex-
tract which we shall make is full of signif-
icance:
TN regard to destitution in Kansas.
there is some, of course, but l am positive
there is more suffering in the City of Bos-
ton than in the whole State of Kansas.
These periodical calls for aid have injured
our young and growing State in every re-
spect. They have retarded the influx of
settlers and have encouraged many of our
people in hal its of idleness, from the fact
that aid was to be had, and there was there
fore 40 necessity for labor
II will be seen that it is the free soup"
experience on a larger scale. Human ma
ture is the same the world over, and there
is in every community percentage of the
population who will not work if they can
have the necessares of life furnished TO
them. The New York Tribune, with
great flourish of trumpets, started a dollar
subscription to create fund for the relief
of the sufferers in Kansas. Every contrib
utor has the pleasure of seeing his name
IN print. Money has poured in from all
sorts Of people. Little girls who had been
promised dollar if they would not bite
their nails, have heroically won the prize,
and then contributed il 10 the Tribune
sinking fund for the relief of the poor in
Kansas. In all probability within ten min
utes walk Of the New York residences of
these iniantile humanitarians there were
ragged aud starving children, b 1t a git 10
them would not be recorded in the public
prints. In this vicinity appeals have been
made TO worthy men and women, under
the supposition that the people of Kansas
were dying of want-when to our certain
knowledge poor woman would have died
Of starvation in a p 'pulous part this city
but for the care bestowed by wealthy
clergyman. Here is another extract:
every township is amply able to pro-
vide for its own poor except in some of the
extreme western counties, and they are
provided for by the State. Quantities OF
goods have been sent for distribution, and
they have been wasted or lavishly bestow-
ed where they were not needed"
If we remember correctly, Governor Os-
born carly last fall announced in an adj
dress that Kansas was abundantly able to
take care Of her suffering poor. The coun-
ties of that State are as well organized and
oflcered as those of Massachusetts,. The
idea entertained here that Kansas is only n
half-clvlized community is an absurdity.
Taxes are paid by the people with prompt
ness, and the coupons on their county
bonds are paid with as much regularity as
those of the city of Boston. The writer
gives some facts of interest:
"a reverend gentlemen was through
here few days since for aid for Jewell
county. l was present when three sacks OF
flour were offered him which he declined.
He begged hard for filly cents TO help him
further east, where people understood the
case better and would do MORE
We need not comment upon the above
facts, for it shows the object which this
missionary had nearest at heart. 1t was
not flour but currency that he needed. To
continue
"The winter has been severe and ii has
been indeed hard for some to get through,
| but they do get through, and If they get
the necessaries of life they must not ask
| for the luXuries. Last week a carload OF
| corn came for the Western counties. Teams
were waiting TO carry it away, and after
| loading the wagons one load was driven
| away and sold, and the Transfers all got
drunk on the proceeds, and boosted that
| during the trip home they expected 10 be
long enough 20 get their horses fat"
But the correspondent takes another view
of the grasshopper question. He says:
81 look upon the drouth and the grass.
hoppers as a positive blessing in Kansas
| Kidding us TO some extent of thrillless,
| lazy set of people, who would be unable 10
make crop if they inhabited the Garden
of Eden, and whose only harvest, past
present and TO come, consists of aid from
abroad for Suffering Kansas
We will close by making an extract from
this letter, which we commend TO the at
tenlion of the public. 1t is very evident
we think, that there has been vast amour
of imposition in this appeal for aid. The
writer says that when he looks around and
sees comparatively wealthy people becom
ing iecipents Of thi. bounty he does MOI
see how his wife can get through the win
ter without seal skin sacque, and he al
ready finds himself hankering after a gold
headed cane;
"To show you how YOU bOunties are be
ing disposed of / will give a few example;
| of the applicants. One man with l25 cat
tie, horses, so acres of wheat, good stone
house, furniture, farming tools, and all,
applies for aid and gets it. One man will
two good cows, so fat sheep, and whC
would never thought of asking for help /
left to himself applies and gets it. On
| who applied at the very time the applca
ton was made had $500 in cash in his peck
ct. He got aid, however. 1 might fill +.
book with such instances, but merely stat
these few in order that your eyes may bC
opened. Some one is getting fat out Of thu
JOB, and it is full time that the people o.
the East had their eyes opened to the facts
Mind, do not say there is no restitution
but l do say we are fully able 10 take car,
OF all cases ourselves, and when it is once
understood that no aid is forthcoming on
people will be better off and will depend
upon their own resources, as they can anC
ought There was a splendid wheat crol
raised here last year, and the prospect i
| very bright for the future, and IL those il