The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-08

| hllluk Hle Huu ACclihk tAo PnAbo " Sss-'
vation, When we asked when they las
tasted meat, the couple looked puzzled, ant
we had to explain that we meant butchers
meat. The bewilderment turned to laugh
ter. Neither had tasted butchers mea
this year-and the woman is advanced II
consumption Still they will not apply
for parish relief, and the Charity 0rganiza
ton (which they now absolutely refuse to
have anything to do With would not, wher
asked, assist them.
HRARTLEss TREATMENT AND PooR ADVICE.
"Our first friend-he Of the well-furnish'
ed room-was more successful with the So
ciety, but he spoke bitterly OF what hi
considered the unnecessarily brusque, ant
unsympathetic treatment he received. Fol
instance, on the first application he wat
asked. "Why do you come here, there are
many worse off than you." As he had
lived on begging for month, and his chill
dren were gradually sinking before his
eyes, 1t was a revelation that others were
worse of. He did not know it, and that
was why he had come there. He
was also recommended to go on q
tramp for work, and when he ex'
planned that he was unfit to do SO, he
was told that many men walked 90 miles
day in search of work. We pushed our
way into third room, in which on the
straw, a man was laid fast asleep. He had
the first half.day's work for q week, but the
wages had not been paid, and be slept
instead OF supping, his children hungering
at school, and his wife begging for a bite oi
something to eat. Another individual had
sung unmusical enough no doubt, through
every street in the West End. and had
earned for the days food for himself and
five children the munifcent sum OF 2!d.!
A PrrIFUL CASE.
stumblingup flight stone, but broken
steps, we entered another room, the only
furniture Of which was a box lid made
into table, and the usual bundle oil straw.
The poor creature who lives here is young
(about SO), good looking and Interesting" :"
She has five young children, the father be-
ing on tramp in search Of work, and though
without bite in the house until thesociety
sent something along that day, she refused
10 seek parish relief. Much suffering is
wearing lines in her brow, and hunger is
throwing over her comely country face his
own pale cast. Starvation will be victor;
we shall meet her again before the Guard
inns, and shall perhaps also see her de-
sparing look when she is told to
"come into the House." At present
she prods the cinder heaps for fuel, and
knows not on each morning where the
first bite for herself and children is to come
from. Across the way again there is anoth-
er woman. She is aged and widow, with
several children. Her rent is 1s. I'd. per
week. She also possesses the bundle OF
straw, as also four bricks which make ad-
mirable chairs. In prosperous times she
earns about Is. per week, which has TO
suffice for rent (which on pain OF expulsion
must be paid), and food for herself and
children. Yet she has applied for assist
ance, and has been refused. We do not
care to continue these illustrations.
A POOR RELIEF SOCIETY.
We can give score Of such; and many
more where the particulars are still more
sad. Not one case has been mentioned
that we cannot prove to be in every sense
Of the word deserving. Yet all these bit
terly complain Of the Society" One man
said to US, ave are told when we apply
that the Organization Society is not for US;
but Tor those who have helped to make the
town what it Is" This is the prevailing
impression which is corroborated on the
authority Of policemen (who are
certainly not by any means soft
hearted), and persons who know more
about the starving wretches than anyone
else, who confess that the aim OF the So
ciety, through their officer OF course, seems
more to drive people out OF the town than
succor them. Verify the many are made
to suffer for the few. This much we feel
bound to add. The existing channels Of
relief are insufficient; and unless some
greater effort is made there will be IN in
evitable ghastly ending to many Of these
our fellow mortals. For five weeks now
the bulk OF them have not had full meal.