The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-09-06
THE GOVERNMENT RATIONs.

Our dispatches yesterday morning an
nounced that W. 2. Kellogg had had an inter-
view with the Secretary of War, and urged
that the rations appropriated by the govern
mont for che destitute of New Orleans should
be distributed through the Collector of the
Port. We see no objection to assigning this duty
to the Collector since the rations are given by
the government which has perfect right to
select It's own agents and direct the manner Of
the distribution. Besides, Republican though
the Collector be, we do not believe that, in o
season Of such general and overshadowing
distress, he would use public benefcenee
for the miserable purpose Of advancing par
tisan ends,
It is not, therefore, Kelloggs suggestion,
that the rations rendered by the government
be distributed by the Collector, that we object
to. What we denounce Is Kellogg's intima-
tion that the miserable feeling Of jealousy
was rife amongst our noble charitable institu-
tions-that the Howards, the Peabodys, the
Young Mems Christian Association, the Bene-
VIOLENT Association of the Army Of Northern
Virginia, and other similar associations at
such a time as this would quarrel over the
disposition OF the aid sent our suffering peo-
pie by the government.
Mr.. Kellogg should not make himself con-
spicuous by neddling in our charities in times
of epidemics. The country has not yet for
gotten that in 1873 he robbed the contingent
fund of $1,000. sent it as q personal donation
to the yellow fever sufferers Of Shreveport
and telegraphed his private secretary to "in-
form the papers of his great charity. Let
Mr.. Kellogg stand aside In this business. In
our drest calamity we want none Of him; we
want neither his advice, his charity nor his
help in any manner, shape Or form. -aa
The aid rendered by the government Is
wel-timed and generous and it is appreciated
by our people. No one will object to Its dis
tribution by the chief Federal official here.
Indeed, the Collector has shown a purpose Of
being guided in his action by the advice and
recommendation Of the very organizations
Kellogg has represented to the country as
being engaged in disgraceful antagonism
with each other.
A satisfactory reason why these rations
should be distributed by O government
agent exists In the fact that the appro-
priation is Of doubtful legality, and
will only be defended in the next Con-
EIEE5 Du SlDuLltt Va HuluHllbys Liz
government has no right to relieve, in the or
binary course of affairs, the INDECENT of any
community; but in q season of pestilence,
when sickness, want and death are desolat-
ing community, the higher law of human
ity will justify the wise and cautious interpo-
sition Of the government.
It may be better, therefore, that utilizing the
knowledge and instrumentalities Of our vari-
Gus charitable organizations, an official of the
government, who may be held to q strict &C.
countability for the appropriation Of the
largess Of the government to any other than
those who may have claims to it, growing out
Of the destitution caused by the prevailing
pestilence should be entrusted with the
distribution of these rations. The Collector
is in consultation with representatives from
all the associations, and VIC have no doubt the
rations will be placed where they will do the
most good, not in politics, but to humanity.
But In the meantime let.us have no more Of
Mr. w, 2 Kellogg.