, 1889-06-06
BENZ. F. HARRISON.
He Desires Washington to Lead
the Benefactions.
His Presence Lends Enthusiasm
to BenevOlence.
An Eloquent Spec eeh-PSompt Response
$4,000 Raissd In Few Minutes
to Aid the Sufferers.


ing was called tn order by Com missioner
Douglass, who introduced President Har-
rson rs the presiding officer OF the meet.
ing. Upon taking the chair the president
said: EVERY one here to-day ~ distress.
ipgly conscious of the circu umstances which
have convened this meeting. 1t would be-
impossible to state ilore impresssively
than the newspapers have ALI eady done he
distressing incidents attending the calam.
ity which has fallen upon the city OF
Johnstown and neighboring hamlets, and
upon large section OF Pennsylvania stu.
ated upop the Blu, ,Quehanna river. The
grim pencil of Dore would be made auate
to portray the horrors OF this visitation. In
such q meeting ss we have here in the ns-
tional capital, and other like gatherings
that are taking place In all the cities Of this
in general gloom. When such q calanii-
tous visitation falls upon any SEQ.
tlon Of our country We can do no
more than to put about the dark picture .
golden border OF love and charity" ZAP
plaus8 lit ID In such fires rs these that
the brotherhood of men is welded, and
whero Is sympstby and help more apprO-
pirate than In Their national capital. am
glad to SEQ that early this morning, from y
city not long ago visited by peslilence. not
long ago itself appealing to the charitable
people OF the whole land for relief, the
city of Jacksonville, FLORIDA, there came
THE RBB OF THAT TIDR
Of charity which flowed toward II In the
time Of its need, in y telegram from the
Sanitary Relief association authorizing me
to draw on them for $1,000 for the relief Of
the Pennsylvania sufferers. (Applause.)
But this is no time for . speech
While talA men, women aud
Of the relic, which We plan to give. One
word or two Of practical suggestions and
will place this meeting In your hands to
give effect to your impatient benevolence.
Il have dispatch from the governor Of
Pennsylvania advising me that conmuni-
cation has Just been opened with the
Williamsport branch Of the Susquehanna
river, and that the losses In That section
have been appalling that thousands Of peo-
pie there are homeless ana penniless, and
there is an immediate call tor TODD to re-
lieye their necessities. Ii. advises me thai
any suppligs OF food that can be hastily
gathered here should be sent via Hsrris-
burg to Williamsport whore thoy will be
distributed. | suggest therefore that 4
committee be constituted, having in charge
the speedy collection of articles OF iOod.
The occasion Is such that bells might we'll
be rung through your street TO call atten-
ton OF the tnoughtless to this great exi-
gsncy. Ia order that train load OF Fro
visions may be dispatched tonight, or In
the early morning 10 this suffering people,
l suggest secondly, as many OF those peo-
pie have had the entire furnishings Of their
houses swept away, and have now only
temporary shelter, that committee be APP
pointed TO collect snch articles of clothing,
AND ESPECIALLY BRD-cLoTHINo,
That can be spared. Now that the
summer season i- Oh 1t, CAL hardly be that
y single house in Washington cannot spare
a coverlet, and, third. l suggest that from
the Substantial business men and bankers
there be appointed committee, VINO shall
collect money, Tor, after the first exigency
is past, there will be found in those COM
muuities very many who have lost their
all. who will need aid in the reconstruction
Of their dem oished homes, and in furnish.
ing them 80 that they may be again iuhab-
tied. Need l say in conclusion, that, AS
temporary citizen Of Washington, 1t
would give me great satisfaction II the ma
tional capital should so generously
respond to this call of the r distressed fellow
citizens ss to be conspicuous among the
cities of our land. / feel that, a. am now
calling for contributions, should say that
Saturday. when WAS first apprised of the
disaster, telegraphed a subscription TO the
mayor OF that city. | do not like to speak
Of anything 30 personal at this time, but
felt 1t due TO myself and to you, that l
should say 80 much ~ this. A list of vice.
presidents including members of the cabi.
net, Chief Justice Fuller, Chief Justice
bingham OF the supreme court
prominent business men OF the
the city was chosen and secretaries and
a treasurer also elected. Calls for subscrip-
tions were then made, and responses were
numerous and for quite large amounts.
half a dozen being for 5000 each About
$4,000 was raised In the hall. The presi-
dent, in dismssing the meeting, said: May
I express the hope that thus work will bs
earnest and thorough" Before the III otion
to adjourn could be put, however, n reso
luton was proposed, rendering the thanks
Of the meeting to the president for the SYM
pathy with distressed humanity which he
had InaDifestdd by assisting al the meeting
and the president, before it could be car.
ried, arose and requested it Withdrawn. In
n graceful speech he expressed his spprrci-
alton nf the kindly motive which prompt
ed the resolution, but asked that IL be
withdrawn, which was done.
-------------------