Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-03
CHARLEsTON's NEEDS.
Loans Wanted at Reasonable Rates
of Interest.

AOOhS w aBbCA at ASCdSOhdDlO AAN1Cs
of Interest.
NEW YORK, Oct. Capt. r. W. Daw-
son, of the Charleston News and Courier,
arrived in this city yesterday by the
steamer City of Columbia. A Tribune
reporter called upon him at the New York
Hotel last night. Capt. Dawson says his
visit is for the purpose Of seeking rest.
He felt that few DAYS at sea and a
change would be beneficial after the ex-
hausting strain of the last thirty DAYS.
Referring to the necessities of Charleston.
he said: "Every person needing food
and shelter has been provided for, and If
there is any suffering at all in this re-
spect it is because people have not made
their wants known. There is one
very important fact which [ would
like to state. Ii the contribu-
lions from our fellow-couutrymen receiv-
ed and promised shall amount TO any
where between $3.50, 900 and $500, 900, this
sum will in my judgment suffice to make
absolutely safe and haoitable every room
in Charleston rendered uninbabitable by
the earthquake, occupied or owned by
persons who OF themselves and without
assistance would be unable to make the
necessary repairs. We do not think we
will need more than that sum or that we
would really care to accept more. But
YOU will please understand that the class
of habitations | refer to is distinct from
the larger and more important class of
buildings damaged by the shock. 1t will
require SIS. 000, 900 TO place the city in the
condition it was before the earthquake.
Charleston is peculiar IN having so large
a number of houses owned by persons
who have no other property. These con-
slst of relics OF large estates-.the only
things preserved out Of the wreck of
property during the war. The churches
alone have been damaged to the extent Of
at least 100000. Now il we are obliged
to wait to accumulate the sum necessary
to effect repairs IL will be a slow process,
indeed, and If we are obliged to pay high
rates of interest 1t will break US down.
believe it would be perfectly practicable
to create a fund and conduct 1t some
what after the manner of the Credit Fon-
cier of France, to enable borrowers TO pro-
cure money at a low rate of interest. The
security could be made perfectly satlstac-
tory and safe. for it would consist of the
very best real estate In the city. We have
received about $500, 600 thus far for imme-
dlate relief. Some of this Is being APP
piled to the restoration OF the humber
class of buildings already encum bered by
liens OF building associations. Now one
word rs to the manner in which the sums
received have been distributed. | have
personal knowledge OF the way the work
OF relief has been carried on and can
answer for it that every dollar has
been dsbursed in the spirit in
which 1t was given. All classes and all
races have shared in il according to their
necessities, and without any discrimina-
ton. The colored ciergymeu have been
put on the same plane with white cler-
gymen. All we asked OF them was that
they should be careful TO see that not
dollar passed into unworthy hands. We
are profoundly grateful to our fellow
countrymen everywhere, and, as you
know, perhaps, almost all has come from
the North, New York and Boston together
giving the larger portion Of the contribu-
tons, though other points have been
equally generous according to their
means"