Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-06-25
RELIEF.
Meeting OF the Citizens of Augusta In Bt
half OF the 81. John sufferers.

In response to the call of the Mayor, meeting
of our citizens was held yesterday afternoon in
Granite Hall. for the purpose of devising means
for the relief of the 81 fl by the recent fire in
St. John.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Nash, who said we come together to show in a
substantial manner our sympathy for the suffering
city Of St. John. city is full of people suffering
for even the necessities of life. They suffering
for food and clothing Other cities have contrib
uted it remains for US TO do the same. A tele-
gram from Mayor Hamlin Of Bangor, states that
the pressing need Of the people was for clothing,
bedding and money.
Judge Titcomb was called to preside, and prayer
was offered by Rev. ii. w. Tilden.
The chairman remarked that the proportionate
loss TO the people of st. John was greater than
that of either the Chicago, Portland, Boston. or
Montreal fires, and by the side Of 1t Que own fire
of '65 dwindes into insigni6cance. They are not
our couptrymen, but our immediate neghbors,
closely allied to Maine. We should respond liber-
ally, according to our ability.
Hon. j. W. bradbury said the cry Of distress
comes from neighborng city. and We are APP
pealed to for immediate assistance. 1t does not
need eloquence to move us. He thought con-
venent way TO proceed was to appoint commit
tee to solicit sub.cI ptlons, and would therefore
make such a motion.
Subsequently Mr.. Bradbury withdrew his mo.
ton, ana substituted the following resolutions Of
fered by Mayor Nash:
Resolved. That the citizens OF Augusta feel great
sorrow for the people of St. John, and sympath ze
with them profoundly in the dreadful disaster
which has befalen them, in the loss of life, the
destruction of property and the inevitable suffer
ing thereby caused.
Resolved, That we cheerfully tender to them
such aid as Is within our power, and that oil the
people OF Augusta are earnestly requested to join
in systematic and energetic effort toward The re-
lief of the great number of persons now without
homes and the common necessaries of life.
Resolved, That q Relief Committee, consisting
OF ladies' and gentlemen, be appointed TO make all
necessary arrangements for the collection of mon
ey, clothing and be 0ding, and the forwarding of
the same for the relief Of the sufferers, in such
manner as they shall deem best.
The resolutions were passed, and the following
Relief Committee appointed Charles +. Nash,
w. X. smith, Joshua Nye, Seth q. Whitehouse,
S. w. Lane. Rev. III. W. TildeD, Darius Alden,
II. S. Osgood, II. A. Dewitt, DR.. G. +. Brickett,
Father Wisscl, l. ID. Siurges, j. A. Holman, j.
w. Patterson.
A committee of ladies was appointed, whose
names appear below in connection wit b q notice
for the meeting.
Mr.. w. II. Smith said he understood the imme-
date want to be for food and ramept. Money
will very nicely come in afterwards. He thought
the Mayor ought to send one thousand dollars
worth OF food to st. John Tomorrow and then call
on the citizens to pay for it. He thought the COM
mttee was too lsrge-large bodies move slowly.
Col. Osgood thought the need for clothing was
more pressing than that for food. He gave no.
tice that all clothing or bedding left ct the Eastern
Express Office would be packed and forwarded to
the sufferers, without any expense.
Mr.. Bradbury thought the gifts should be vol
untary and not by taxation.
Capt. S. W. Lane called upon the men Of means
to do their d1ty.
Mr. Holman thought that while clothing was
needed, money was the very best thing could
send. Giving has also got to be continuous and
it will take time to do that.
Hon. j. G. Blaine asked the ladies' committee to
meet at his house Monday afternoon, at o'clock.
lie thought the pressing need of the people of ST.
John was FOR clothing. Thousands are turned in
TO the streets with but one suit of clothes each, and
that probably ruined He thought we ought to start
the money subscription here; and to make be-
ginning he would pledge one hundred doll ars.
This was received with great applause and was
quickly followed by Mr.. Bradbury aud Col. Alden
with pledges of similar sums each. Giving then
became contagious, and AS the chairman of the
committee took their names the following persons