Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-08-30


was held yesterday afternoon, Aid. Allen
presiding. The meeting YVES called for the
purpose of meeting a committee of the
chamber of commerce, appointed to place
before the council a resolution carried by
that body respecting the Rochester relief
fund.
On motion of Aid. Dowlan the commit
tee we're invited to take seats within the
bar.
Gen. Sanborn, chairman of the COM
mittee, stated that two resolutions had
come before the chamber of commerce;
one was for the appointment of COM
mittee to canvas the city for funds and
endeavor to raise $4,000 to send for the
help of Olmsted and Elgin counties in
their distress. The other resolution was
that the city council be asked to vote the
sum of $4,000 towards the relief fund,
the said sum to be paid from the city
treasury, but the unanimous feeling
seemed to be, the speaker said, in favor
of the latter resolution as it
was also the general opinion of the tax
payers. There are many nou-resldents
who own large estates in st. Paul and who
never contribute a cent to charity, while
gentlemen of the chamber of commerce
and merchants on Third street are solicited
almost daily to contribute toward some
n.ble work, and the chamber was of opin-
ion that the amount desired for the Roch-
ester sufferers being large, it was only fair
that all citizens should contribute toward
it-especially those wealthy absentees.
The same thing was done after the great
fire in Chicago, when the council voted
$4,000. Gen. Sanborn had spoken to
different persons, among whom was Mr..
Moon, ana the general opinion was that If
st. Paul contributed $4,000 to the fund it
would be doing as much as ought to be
expected. He stated that $682.90 had
already been collected by the chamber of
commerce, and the press had collected
some five or six hundred dollars, and bust
ness houses some hundreds, which, with the
$4,000 asked for, would make about $12,-
900 from st. Paul. The chamber did not
make an absolute demand upon the council
but made the request as the almost unani-
nous sentiment of the city.
Gen. Averell, as one of the committee,
spoke of the $4,000 guaranteed by the fifty
citizens, who signed the note upon the
moment of hearing the appeal from the
mayor of Rochester to the city of st. Paul.
He said there was difference of opinion
in the chamber as to whether the council
be asked to take that responsibility
from the hands of those gentlemen OF
only be asked to vote $4,000. He was of
opinion that the city should shoulder the
whole E$1O,OOO. And even then some
members of the chamber would raise sew
eral thousand dollars in addition.
Capt. Berkey referred to the Chicago
vote of former days. He moved at the time
to double it from a sense of duty to re-
spona to the appeal of persons suffering
from a calamity beyond their responsible
ity, and he argued that the present case
was as urgent aud necessary, for the loss
to individuals was greater. Many had lost
their all and were suffering from wounds
as we'll
Aid. Otis spoke at length upon the legal
points of the case, and as a matter of ''ex-
peiiency." The council had no right, he
said, to vote the money, but if there were
substantial grounds where benefit would
accrue to the city by taking even an ille-
gal act, there might be some reasons to
base such actions upon. Hardship and
suffering, he said, call forth our deepest
sympathy, and urge US to give our sub
stance to relieve their suferings, but have
the council the right to measure the dispo-
sition Of citizens? It would be bad pre-
cedent. More than charity and sympathy
should govern in measure of this kind.
The question is to in what measure the city
would benefit. He was willing to vote for
the chambers request if he could see the
good redounding to the city. In the case
of New Ulm the council did an illegal
thing, but it made staunch friend, and
New Ulm stood by st. Paul in the capitol
building. But in this case the people of
st. Paul would not all be ben
Gifted personally, only those with
whom Rochester would trade, and he was
in favor of voting $4,000 and allowing the
rest to be provided by those who would be
benefited PERSONAL---VERY. in other words
the wholesale merchants who are patron
lied by outside cities.
Capt. Baker, in a spirited reply, stated
the vote was made to Chicago without any
expectation of a return. The council were
actuated by higher motives, by those of
benevolence and charity, and this sum
should be free vote of the whole city, not
a part of it. There were many men, and
wealthy, who always got loft scot free, and
it was right they should pay their just pro
portion. "There is not a man, woman nor
child, gentlemen" he said, sin st. Paul
mean enough to complain if st. Paul
votes this $4,000 to these stricken people
The case was ten times as urgent as that
of Chicago.
Aid. Otis explained that no mercenary
motives Influenced him, for he was ready
to contribute according to his means, but
the council had no right to dictate the ex
tent of any citizens charity, and he again
dwelt upon the advantage to be expected
to individuals.
AAlderman Dowlan was of opinion that
the council should do all that it could dc
in the matter.
Alderman Johnson thought the council
should carry out the wishes of the people
as far as possible, and he was sure the PEG
pie would not hold them to the strict law
If the taxpayers are in favor of the vote
the council should make this contribution
to help sister city in her affection and hi
had not heard dissenting voice from The
people against it.
Mr.. Lee delivered most telling speech
He said there was no question of law
there is law higher than that formed
by councils-the law of humanity and o.
necessity. 1t was necessary that these
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