The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1878-09-02
The Distribution of Relief
STATEMENT FROM GRAND SECRETARY
J. L. POWER,
JAcksoN, Miss, Sept. >, ISIS

JACKSON, Miss, Sept. >, 1878,
Col. John W. Robinson, Huntsville, Ala.
My DEAR SIR AND FRIrNp-Our friend
Saunders has shown me your letter 10 him
Of recent date, in which YOU refer to re-
port that you have so kindly and justly de-
tied, that the funds which were being re-
ceived by me as Grand Secretary OF Masons
and as Grand Treasurer of odd Fellows,
were being retained here, SO that jackson
should be amply provided for In case of yell
l4w fever, Instead of being promptly sent to
the places where the pestilence has been for
some weeks prevailing. As this IS not only
another lie against Jackson, but as my OIL
cial aud personal integrity, as well as my
humanity is involved, | pronounce the re-
port an unqualified lalsehood. II those who
were mean enough TO conceive such thing
are moi satisfied with this declaration, they
can satisfy themselves by correspondence
With the Relief Committees at Ntckshurg,
Port Gibson, Grenada and Canton. 1t SO
happened that ON the 30th ult., made pub
lcation acknowledging the receipt to tina.
date since 10th of the month, of S3,6l4 %,
mainly from Masons aud Odd Fellows, and
that ! had forwarded, on seven different
dates, to the points named, relief funds, to
the amount OF $3.50 90. The receipts for
the last three days, Sunday ipcludcd,
amount to S2S00, aud this goes forward
G-day, by express, draft, or telegraph trans
AR orders, as may be most expeditions.
The disbursement of this fund Is left large
lg to my discretion, and / try to distribute
sccording to the necessities OF each place.
SO far as Jackson IS concerned, she has,
fortunately, had no occasion to ask tor
dollar of outside help. Its own citizens
have made up fund amounting TO nearly
two thousand dollars, which hold as Treas
1rer of our Howard Association. Of this,
two well known citizens subscribed $500 90
each; and have the authority OF yourself
and other absentees,to draw upon you free
II should 1t be necessary. As an Assoca-
ton, and as community, we have
done what we could to aid other places, and
II return we are charged with retaining
general relief funds, stopping railroad
trains, etc The idea of stopping either
the freight or passenger trains, was
never seriously entertainedin this county.
"a is true, one or two members OF the Coun-
u Board of Health urged such a measure,
but the authorities and the people of jack
son, and the other railroad towns protested
so earnestly, through delegations sent to
Raymond on Saturday last, that the Board
OF Supervisors unanimously resolved that
nothing shall be done by the authorities of
Kinds to interfere with the rapid transit
of relief to all communities whese the fever
prevails
When the pestlence seized upon Grenada
and Vicksburg, saw that relief must come
from some source, and feeling sure that the
great benevolent Orders which represent,
would deem it privilege to contribute,
sent out telegraphic appeals, which are be-
ing responded beyond all expectation.
propose to remain here distributing money,
supplies and nurses as they may be rendered
and are needed and but for the discharge
o. this duty, az well as the discharge of my
dlty as publisher, should have yielded
t8 the earnest appeals OF my family, and
gone with them to their place OF safety.
have freely advised all Others who had no
professional or public demands for their
presence, to leave the city. Those of us who
stay claim no credit beyond what is due a
conscientious discharge OF duty, and that
we shall endeayor to perform regardless OF
sensational kilograms based on imaginary
facts, and circulated through the country
tD the prejudice of our city.
Our physicians have, after diligent search,
discovered one case OF yellow fever, and we
cannot enjoy even the Holly Springs con-
| sDlation, that he was "refugee." No other
case has developed since his death on Satur-
day last. We shall maintain our quarantine,
| rs heretofore, aud now that the country i'm
mediately surrounding jackson, Is quaran-
lining against this 'nfected'' city, our
/ reets present lonely appearance indeed
| That the weeks may roll rapidly by until
! YOU shall be able to announce your usual
] fall "drve,' l remain yours very truly,
j. j.. POWER