The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-16
CHARLESTON.
THE PROCLAIM ALTON OF MAYOR
lnIrRrNE N- ON TIIE SITUATION.


CUAR1EsToN 3 c September S.-Things are
settling down in Charleston and slight tremor OF
earthquake felt once or twice Il day, attracts niue
more attention than the rumblng or passing
wagon. Laborers are at work in every direction
cleaning away masses of fallen Drlck ana stonei
and strenuous efforts are made to protect injured
buildings from expected rains. everywhere are
signs of a restoration of the normal conuulons 9l
things and business is transacted just as usual.
The relief cOmLlttee, organized saturday, IS av'
work and has now provided accommouauons Ill
tents and huts for over three thousand persons
Besides this, the subsistence committee Is IN lull
swing and is serving out, to-day, ample rations Vi
meat, bread and sugar to all worthy appncaa9.s.
The plan is to make the distribution hereafter
upon the recommendation of the clergyheh Vi lne
different denominations of the city Subscriptions
continue to come in very freely, and the aSgrega.u
now is about SlU0,0UO. This will go long way
towards relieving the present distress IN Ie i
but is only drop in the bucket in comparison
with what is required to make Charleston Wha.N
was little more than a week ago. a,
Mayor Courtney has issued proclamation 10 ~. ihe
people of the city, in which he says: Il nav UNA
day returned to my loved city amid the wldespresu
desolation. Its homes shaken to their to9hua,
tons. Many of them are utterly wrecked, anu lew
without serious injuries, and find many Vi lou'
my fellow citizens, with Your dear and tender lam
lilies, sleeping still under trail sheleIs, anu
some under the sky. With the recent terrible "a
lamity and its awful suspense still lingering IN
your minds amid the ruins of this far reacnihs
calamity, | am profoundly thankful SO hucn VI
life and property have been spared, ana reolc9 t
the same fortitude and heroic patience IN tne uss
of God and His providencehas always charactermeu
this people is now their stay in this time OF ulre
trouble and am thankful to add IN this past week
| of disaster the good order and helpful co-opera
ton of all classes of our citizens have condnced W
! the maintenance of the public veal. 900
II Is inspiring to behold amid these grave DIM
culties the resumption of the business life OF our
city and the quenchess faith of our people In the
| future The open exchanges, banks and leading
houses in all departments of business, the
uninterrupted commerce OF railroads, steam
ships and the sailing fleet and the ready
wharves, busy workshops and the usual routine or
| all avOCatiOns and employments of our city, pro-
claims that we are already going for~ ard to anew
future. That future is based on work, not ldle-
ness, and call on every one to seek work IN every
way possible,
Although the situation is critical, it is not insr-
muuntable. it dem.Lds from every citizen III our
midst calm judgment, The broadest view, resolI Gu
deter ninatiUn iii work, and an uhtalterng trust III
| God to tide over the unparalleled calamity winch
has so Unexpectedly come upon us.
THIS is Il disaster that reaches every home anu
| every part of our city, and can only be met anu
overcome by moral courage and the united ef1OfIs
of the whole people. -.
An immediate and serious duty before rs IS the
protection and succor OF the houseless, SIGN AID
INDECENT unfortunates, and the helpless that cr3wu
around lis. As the cutiye of the city, my 9usy
is to create an organization looking 10 geasi"
with the different problems before US, ana a. shis
have to act at once, have therefore inltiateI ti
work by asking the services of some OF my ell4 ;.
citizens in the worthy attempt to organize VIZ is
such plans as will mitigate the suffering anu Hib
tress so universally surrounding us, and wnlo ~
threatens such serious consequences to nany S
our people These plans will be expi n,ing
| if found in any way wan tbifs
in completeness as the work progresses. In tnis
effort it is source of great gratitude to us 70 So"
we are not graphing with this unspeakaoe Of
ter alone. The sympathyiof the whole alaUn
states has touched us deeply, and the sPonnia onr
giving of practical and speedy aid in TINS n oS.
struggle shows the large and true heart Oh ne y il
pie of this great country, beats with lis No" q"
| will hereafter. .,.or,ising
In this hope, and cheered with this prqhIi9iinr
future as part of great people, whose netPfi
hands are outstretched to us, let us turn set on
ly to our heritage and many umen . tls ~ cod,
this very spot, work ont under the blessing u
the new future but dearly loved city.
(Signed) WILLIAM wv Mayor