Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-13
QUE WORTHY POOR
What /. s.I.s Done for Them,

The rayages of the fever and the
unusual severely of the present season
has caused much suffering, restitution
and want among all classes Of people
in Memphis. Not only are hundreds
of families of our own citizens actually
suffering for the necessities of life and
dependent upon the generosity of
others, but many, many strangers are
among US, penniless and INDECENT, who
at the termination of the scourge
aocked here with the expectation of
procuring employment, and in that en-
deavor expended their last penny for
board, and are now unable to obtain
ways or means to return to their re-
spective homes. The depletive state
of the city treasury debars any pessi-
Bile e of providing for our own in
digent denizens, but the surplus Of the
moneys remaining at the close Of the
epidemic having been placed in what
is called the charity fund, the mayor
has been dispensing it in a careful and
judicious name until in the neigh
borhood of $35,OOO has already been
disposed of, leaving but a comparative
ly small margin to last the balance Of
the winter, nearly three months.
Saturday last a representative of the
LEDGER had occasion to visit the
Office of the relief boards at 81 Adams
street. AT the time ofhis visit some
fifty or more persons were crowded into
the small compartment, all applicants
for relief, and it was surprising to no
tice how many respectable and tidy
persons were there under force of cir
cumstances. OF the apparent number
mentioned there were but three men,
two of them cripples. The colored
race, of course, predominated, but
most of the whites were evidently peo-
pie who had seen better times, and
were through necessity actually obliged
to solicit aid from the city. Captain
Bishop,the secretary of the relief com
mittee, was surfeited with business,
and as Systematically as could possibly
be done under such a pressure was
signing orders for relief.
Many ladies, members of the differ
ent church organizations, have been
materially and effectively assisting the
captain in investigating the claims of
the applicants, and as one of the ladies'
stated, it was alarming how true a
state of affairs existed. 1t was a rare
instance to find imposition. The peo-
pie are actually suffering and only APP
peal to US as their last recourse"
All how many more have we among
us who, through pride, will not ask
charity, but away from the public gaze
are slowly dying a death of hunger !
Through the courtesy of Capt. Bishop
we learn that since the first Of the
month fire and provisions have been
issued to six hundred and twenty
three families, ninety of whom we're
new applicants on Saturday last.
Reader, stop and reflect a moment.
How comfortably situated you are of
a cold, dreary night, toasting your toes
before a glowing crate, while possibly
within a stones throw of you there
may be some ones darlings huddled
together in a corner, scantily attired,
without fire or food. The widow and
family of probably one of your former
boon companions, a schoolmatc or a
business friend, who died during the
late terrible scourge, and his family,
heretofore provided with all they
needed, are actually dying Of want
through hat refined delicacy that for
bids them from asking aims from those
with whom but a few months since
they were upon an equal standing.
Look around you, make diligent
search and inquiry, and if your in
vestigations fail to find the worthy
poor, assist the mayor and these good
people with a contribution of a few
cents. 1t all counts it all helps to
alleviate suffering, and you will not
miss it.