Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-15
Relief For western sufferers


 The Meeting at che Mayors Omce
 Last Evening-several Liberal DO-
 nations Made-systematic Werk Pro-
 posed.
 A meeting of prominent citizens was held at the Mayors office last evening. His Honor the Mayor was called to the chair and John C. Collins was appointed secretary. The Mayor submitted the following letter from Hon. George H Watrous for the considera- ton of the meeting:
 l NEW HAVEN. Conn.,, Feb. IA, 1884. Hon. Henry O.. Lewis, Mayor Of the City of New Haven.
 My dear sir-Seeing your notice in behalf of the sufferers by the western floods in the papers this morning called at the City bank 1 and left my pittance in their behalf with the cashier of that bank One very | tributions is the feeling of distrust 1 as to whether they will be of any value to | those for whom they are intended. I have l occasionally heard reports from the afflicted districts showing that the sufferers get com paratively little of what is contributed for 1 their benefit. Idon't know, considering the I suddenness of these calls and the necessity 1 of immediate action, if any, whether there is any remedy for this waste; but beg to sug- 1 gest Gas I cannot conveniently be at the | meeting to night in your office) whether, if l Haven, it would not be wise to send some ju- | dicions man from our own midst directly to | the afflicted towns with our contributions | and with instructions that he look after the l distribution of them, taking the advice of l course of the chief officers of the various | municipalities he shall visit for the purpose l of his mission
 am inclined to think that feeling on the part of the contributors that the sufferers | were sure to receive their benefactions promptly wolud tnde to increase the l amount of their gifts and that the result would be that more actual suffering would be | relieved If this thought strikes you with | any favor merely suggest that you have it considered tonight. Few men would hesl- l tate to assist in relieving the sufferings of 8 fellow man if they felt perfectly certain that l their sacrifices for his sake would inure to his benefit. Yours respectfully, | GEORGE Fl. WATRoUs.
 The following heading was adopted for subscription lists:
 "We, the undersigned, agree to give the | sums set opposite to our names for the re- lief of the sufferers by the floods in the Ohio l valley. on condition that the distribution of l the money so contributed shall be intrusted l to 8 committee to be appointed by His ! Honor the Mayor, of which he shall be chairman"
 H. w. Farnham, Esq introduced the fol lowing which was adopted.
 I heSOlVe0, That committee or nVe mem- | bers, of which His Honor the Mayor, shall be chairman, be appointed by the chair to | receive and disburse the money that may be contributed for the relief of the sufferers in the Ohio valley.
 The following was also passed:
 Resolved, That the presidents of the sev- | eral Christian, benevolent and social organi- l cations be and they are hereby appointed 8 committee to solicit contributions to the above object with power to add to their num- ber.
 Resolved, That the action taken by the Mayor in appointing the cashiers of the sev- eral banks and treasurers of savings institu- | tions committee to solicit subscriptions is hereby approved, and that he be empowered l to designate and appoint such other parties l as he may deem proper for said purpose.
 The contributions so far as reported are as l follows: George Bronson Farnam $1O0, s. E. Merwin & Go. $50, James Graham & Co. $25, Edward Lawrence $10, charity $5, Agnes H. Robbins $1.5O, H. B. Bigelow $50, Fl. w. Farnap $10O, making 8 total of $371.5O so far as known. Other amounts not reported were probably subscribed. It is thought that after the prompt and efficient action of the meeting last evening the contributions will be largely increased. That prompt action and generous donations are needed for 8 suffering community there can be no doubt.
 The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the Mayor.