Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-23
s. The Poor We Have With U.s.,

Eot1or Stdr:-I have observed with pleasure
lnaG HE STAR is always ready to cooperate
, Mii any ~ ieaslole measure which may be pro-
pGseu III oenal1 OF the helpless poor of this Dis
u .Iice. II IS with this assurance that venture
subject. " ' 0"A "foA '-'
During the war thousands OF colored people
. ucheu 10 ms city, where, at the time, the gen.
eIai government had made temporary provision
t tEf tRelr support Following the suspension OF
me tTeedmen's Bureau 1t so CHANGED that the
i district Board of Public Works was in a condi-
.ion 10 AFFORD employment to large number OF
stitni,o aoohers Upon the suspension of this in
noa.u.,oi, however, these men and their families
were left in a condition of poverty and wretch
e0iesS never before witnessed perhaps in this
country. Ihrongs of beggars, composed largely
ct women ana children, are to be seen in every
ssieet, ringing door bells and imploring assisS-
aI!ce, and hundreds die every year from diseases
snci nUa 70 exposure and want. This wide
Spuau iinolgence is not properly an American
INSTITUTION, for In ga land OF plenty" where
nllllOnS OF broad acres still slumber in their
prlmeVa! Verdure, it Is difficult to perceive why
uDe.Dodled poverty should be allowed to exist
WIN tnlS view OF the subject, prepared some
tlme since memorial praying for the adoption
oy the general government of such measure
as would enable these helpless freedmen to
locate as farmers and grazers upon our public
lands in the far west. This memorial was fin.
trcducedfnto both branches of Congress through
the 1nstrumentality OF 1.-The Western Emigra-
uon society" an institution composed with the
exception OF myself of colored men living in
this city. The memorial set forth, in detail a
pan Dy Wnlch the money thus advanced could
which every dollar thereof, secured by mort
gage upon the land could be refunded in a Ger
tain term OF years.
i has been said by some that Congress, evenif
SO disposed, would not be justified by precedent
or authority In adopting a measure OF this
character. In answer to this, contend that
congress has as much right to expend money
soup-houses and similar Institutions, which not
Only afford an impermanent relief, but are sad
~ degrading in their influence upon those
tone to accept this species Of charity; that
trict occupy, like the Indian, a sort OF non
descript relation to the general government
except that unlike the Indians they have spent
their lifelong labofS in developing the nations
BILE for their present condition, in allowing them
to be deprived of the fruits of their toll and in
casting them adrtft, penniless and ignorant, in
community where many OF the avenues to
against them.
Again, it is said by some, that these people do
not want work: that they would not '.g0 west
and grow up with the country" even if given a
chance. This Is matter which the adoption
OF the plan proposed would itself soon settle.
once offer to these people a fair chance to bet
ter their condition, and if the opportunity thus
afforded is taken advantage OF, then the govern
ment Will be relieved from their support as
paupers and at the same time profit by their
development Of the country as husbandmen.
on the other hand, If this opportunity should
be rejected, the government would in future
be justified In withholding its assistance. and
the people OF this community would have good
reason for driving mendicantS from their doors
as unworthy OF charitable consideration.
These are IN brief my notions respecting this
modern type OF slavery in the District OF Co.
lumbia. VIII not THE STAR or some OF It's con-
trloutors point out any defect or impracti-
sure proposed for its adjustment?
Respectfully, j. NJ. ADAas.