The morning news., 1888-10-23
JAoKsoNvILLE RELIEF WORK.
Syuoothe and Effective Labor by the
AlxiliarU Association.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Oct. 22.-Great
bodies move slowly, it is said, but the most
ponderous machinery, when properly lu-
bricated and under the controlling hand of
a mas. .er, mechanic. runs as smoothly and as
noiselessly as sewing machine. Such is
the movement of the Jacksonville Auxili-
ary Sanitary Association in this place.
This organization was formed to meet t
emergency in which our people were placed
when the official announcement was made
that yellow fever had made its unwelcome
appearance here. A visit 10 the headquar-
ters of this society, and an examination and
investigation into its workings, would soon
convince one of this. 1t is composed of the
most prominent citizens. OF the original
organization, only five of the
official staff remain. Col. J. j.
Daniels, president; H. A. L'Enge, treasurer,
an c. Ct. Elliott, q member of the executive
committee, have gone to their last rest
Their vacant places have been filled by the
substitution Of others, among them j. C.
L'Engie, Peter Jones, chief of the fire
department, and the Rt. Rev. Bishop E. g.
Weed. The immense amount of work and
detailed labor which is imposed upon this
society is almost inconceivable, and the
fact that it is attended TO with 50 little
friction and the expenditure of SO inconsid-
erable an amount of money, cannot but call
out expressions of admiration. In the first
place, the proper handling of the large sums
of money which are pouring in, as if the
horn of plenty were being emptied into
their lap, is a matter of no little difficulty
This fund is equally distributed among the
different banks, a wise precaution and
guard against croaking and jealousy Each
day these receipts are promptly acknowl-
edged and list made and published in the
daily papers. The contributions from each
city is separately kept, SO that at mo-
ment's glance the amount in gross received
from any one place can be ascertained. t.
manage the details and work involving
upon the central committee proper, a small
force of only six men are employed, at q
weekly salary of about $780, None of the
officers of the association are salaried, per-
forming their duties gratuitously and with
an eye single to the crying needs of the
distressed city.
HARD WORKERS.
The secretary, Charles S. Adams, who
also fills the important position of secretary
to the Sub-tropical Exposition, and his CO.
adjutOr, Mr. A. w. COckrell, Jr., the cor
responding secretary, have the operation of
this office force well III hand, and under
their supervision and intelligent direction
the minutia and details of the offics go
along as uninterruptedly and smoothly as
many branches and departments which con
Stitute the matters which are under the
charge of this association, several sub
committees have been established, each under
the superintendence Of a trustworthy chair
man, a well-known citizen in whose faithful
discharge of the trusts imposed, not dis
sentient voice is heard. Among the more
important of these may be mentioned the
committees on nurses and medical atten-
ion an liaf
sanitation, committee on claims, committee
on transportation, sanitary police, and
quite number of others. 1t would seem
that every possible requirement was antici-
pated, and provision made for it in the con-
stitution of these numerous committees.
The purpose of practicing economy in every
direction is shown from the fact that lately
there has been established another commit
tee on livery, with the specific purpose of
checking the outrageous charges which the
liverymen have been disposed to make.
THE PURCHASING AGENT.
Oneof the most important positions is that
OF purchasing agent which is held by F. w.
Mumby, one of our well-known merchants.
Into his hands is placed the important duty
of purchasing and receiving supplies and
distributing them to the different depart
ments as their needs may require, and in
forwarding supplies upon acquisitions to
sister cities III our state when appeals come
from them for assistance notably Sander
son, Macclenny and other places. Not only
has aid in the way of provisions been sup
piled by this association, but liberal supplies
of money to afflicted cities throughout the
state. One touch of. nature makes all the
world akin. The system of disbursements
is now so thoroughly perfected that no money
is paid out on the requisition of the different
departments except to meet payrolls. The
question of the settlement of claims for the
destruction of property has been a perplex-
ing one and every imaginable precaution
taken to prevent imposition and the prac-
tice of fraud. A certificate is required
signed by the fumigating officer, who acts
under the direction of the board of health.
and the president of the board specifying
the number and nature of the articles de-
stroyed In addition to this the claimant is
required to make an affidavit as to the
value of the articles. Despite all these pre-
cautions, extravagant and unreasonable
exorbitant, and when the executive
committee, in simple justice, have
been compelled to cut them down, the
claimants have been loud in their denuncia-
ton and dissatisfaction at their action. So
beyond all reason, and running up into i'm
mense sums have these claims become, that
although at the first the association was
uouDIIul as 10 tnelr possibility or duty to
pay them, that they finally decided to re-
fuse to pay any further claims of this ma
ture.
AN UNDECIDED QUESTION.
Whether the government will ultimately
decide to pay for them is still one of the
undecided questions, and whether the CITY
government can be held responsible is an
other which will arise in the future out of
TINS matter. There is enough to attend to
at present without borrowing worriment
from this. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof. All claims sof other charac-
ters are paid only on voucher, stamped by
the chairman of the committee, with bis
approval and certifying as to its correctness.
EVERY voucher is numbered in rotation,
and the draft upon which it is paid also
numbered. These vouchers are fled away
In packages of fifty, SO that the number of
voucher given, 1t can readily be
referred to. An alphabetical list Of the
names Of all payees is also kept, thus
auordlng another check, as the voucher and
graft being numbered, by easily referring
10 1t the payment of duplicate bills is o6-
waited. The accounts becoming so intricate
ana enormous, it was found necessary to
engage the services Of an expert bookkeeper
Inc books will stand the most rigid exami-
natlon. The secretary, with commenda-
ule foresight, has kept a scrap-book filed
win clippings from the daily press Of all
Ioells and news relating to the inception, !
progress and spread of the fever, the
methods adopted for Its extirpation, the
Cles OF suffering, bereavement aud distress,