Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-07-14
DISSATISFACTION.
TROUBLE ARISES At JOHNSTOWN.
Citizens Strongly DenOuncs the Methods Of
Distribution
or FUNDS GIVEN FOR RELIEF.
Resolutions Expressing Their Sentiments
Unanimously Adopted.

JoHNsTowN, PA, July 13-The Pres
bsterien Church with a capacity Of 1900
was filed this afternoon with thoroughly
body OF citizens, TO protest
againet the manner in which the relief
fund wss being distributed. Burgess Hor-
rel was called to the chair, and in brief
speech outlined the object of the mesting,
ard said that the people of this valley
should themselves have the disbursement
Of the contributions intended for them, as
the State commission had shown their in
capacity for the work. A committee on
resolutions was appointed and the follow
ing adopted:
Resolced, That We respectfully and ear
nestly request that the fund contributed
for the relief Of the sufferers by tie disas-
trous food which devastated the Cone
maugh Vslley, be as speedily as possible
distributed in money directly to the peo-
pie, to whose benefit it was donated, and
that all purchases, contracts and al ex-
penses to De paid for ont Of this fund i'm
medistely cease. That any boarding up OF
this fund TO meet problematical future
wants will materially diminish its useful
ness and only result in delaying 70 q more
distant time the restoration Of homes,
of business, of industry and of
confidence. 1t will do more good
in the hands of the people now than at any
tine hereafter. That we repudiste as in
sulting to the manhood and intelligence of
our citizens now that the avenues of trade
are opened up. the imputatiOu that they
cannot and will not wisely and economic.
ally disburse any funds placed in their
hands, and because Of this imputstion the
arrogant assumption that guardians must
supervise our expenditures, control our
disbursements, purchase our supplies and
make our contracts.
Resolred. That if the statemente imputed
10 his Excellency, Gov. Beaver, that "a
million and half OF dollars has already
been expended 10 Johnstown and vicin-
ity," has any foundation in fact, it is the
strongest possible argument that expend-
ing relief funds in contracting for build
ings, Quartermaster and commissary sup
plies, is not wise, judicial or economical
way of DISTURBING such funds when the
ordinary source of supply are opened up.
Only by gross extravagance and careless
ness could such sum have been used here
and the people have received no adequate
return for the expenditure Of 80 large an
amount.
Resolre9. That the disbursement Of the
fund subscribed for relief directly to the
sufferers by the food, will stimulate busi-
ness, Will provide work for our builders
and trade for our merchants, will provide
labor for our artisans and will tend to re-
store confidence in the community, and
will thus directly and indirectly help those
for whom the fund was intended. While
any other course at this day osvors of jobs,
rebounds to the benefit Of nonresident con-
tractors and business men having no inter
est in the community, and uplustly DIS
eliminates against our own citizens.
ResolUed, That it ia unfair and unjust to
exact an oath as to private income and re-
lief before the bounteous charity OF our
countrymen can be distributed TO its ben
e6ciaries.
Speeches were made by Col. Linton, Col.
Rose, Capt. Kuhn, EY-Burgess Chal Dick,
Rev. D. ]. Beale, Rev. W. II. Bates, Hon.
John NJ. Rose, Mr.. A. J. Haws and o num-
ber of other leading citizens supporting
the resolutions aud they were unanimous
ly carried. There was strong expression
OF opinion throughout that the fund Was
not being handled for the best interests OF
Johnstown and at the close an additional
resolution was passed requesting the state
to furnish an itemized state
ment OF expenditures TO date.