The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-26
SUGGESTIONS FOR RELIEF.

18th Inst. letter by +. ). SpruliI,
ESQ. Of LOuisburg, was Published.
It comes nearer to being feasible
plan for relief than anything We
have seen. We give 1t in full to
Our readers:
Louisburg. y. c., Dec. Ii.
Editor Ners & Observer The
mass-meeting recently held in Hall
fax county for the purpose Of devils,
ING means f. rslievin- the condi.lon
Of &c >a,rlI,u->. classes, i. :" SO"
L. Last ,ll.Iirsnt.
While the conclusion reached by
that meeting was clearly erroneous,
still the fact that the necessity exist
ed for any united public action, pain
fully suggests the deplorable condi>
ton OF our people.
In nearly all the Eastern counties
Of the State, the problem that pre-
sents itself to a great many people is
how TO escape starvation. The all
most total crop failure has brought
the wolf to the door OF families that
have never before known what
5unger meant.
Hundreds Of the smaller farmers +,
the tenants and troopers, have no
provisions on hand and absolutely
no means wherewith TO procure
them. Whatever of security, in
addition to the lien on their crops 4,
they had to Offer to their merchants
this year, has been required to pay
their debts, and even then the mer-
chants are heavy losers by the year 8
transactions. For the great majority
Of the farmers of this class TO get
advances for the ensuing year, with
out some SET urity to offer in addition
to the expected crops, is an impos-
sibility. Without aid they must do
one of two things-starve or steal
Either attentive is fearful to cons
template. What then must be dO2e!
The only plan that seems to me
practicable or feasible is the organi-
cation Of what, for want Of better
name, shall call q Corn Relief AS
ISOLATION. Let every man in each
county affected, who, realizing the
destitute condition of his people, is
willing and able to do something to
alleviate their suffering, at az early
day meet at the court-houses of their
respective counties. There are in
every county perhaps a thousand
men who could spare q barrel of
corn or its value in money. Many
could easily spare more. or this
thousand. l do not think I oyeresti-
mate the charity Of our people when
I say that one half Of them at least
would gladly do their utmost to better
the condition Of their unfortunate
and impoverished neighbors. Sup
pose that five hundred, or two hun
dred and fifty. or one hundred, or
even fifty, organize an association.
Each man among them contributes
TO the common stock voluntarily
what he thinks he is able, either 10
corn or in money. An accurate re-
cord Of each mans contribution is
kept. The fund thus raised is turn
ed over to 8 treasurer who has been
elected.
Now some of the class of farmer;
described above comes TO the towr
to make his arrangements 10 procure
supplies for the ensuing year, Hs
goes TO merchant after merchant
who, iDasmuch as he has no security
to offer save the prospect of an I'M
planted crop out Of which rent mus
first be paid, refuses to supply aim
Then when there Is no chance fol
help from that direction, and starva'
ton or crime seem the only alterna
tives, the Corn Relief Association
comes to his aid. Its executive COM
mittee, upon application made tt
them, investigate his case. If it b'
meritoriOus-If if 1t be shown that
from no merchant can the required
aid be gotten, the executive com
mittee gives him an order on tht
treasurer for so much corn, or pro
visions, as they deem absolutely
necessary upon q full statement O.
the facts to tide him and his family
over the hard season till the wLea
harvest, or till his garden provides
him vegetables.
For securing this advancement th'
Association takes q crop lien on th,
proposed crop. 1t charges jus
enough profit on the provisions fur
nishei TO pay the treasurer small
salary for the treasurer may be al
| oCfi 10 T10rrba0t in tho tou1 nc I