Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-06-07
ADMINISTRATION OF RELIEF FyNDs.

Z ..
While the sympathies of the people of
the United States are deep and broad, and
their charity of the noblest order, and
their outpouring of money for the dis
tressed unparalleled, there nevertheless is
entertained by not few fears that where
such vast sums are contributed as for the
relief of the sufferers by flood in Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland, some of the money
will fail of the object for which it is col
3scted. 1t is accepted by very consider
able number of people that some portion
Of the charity fund will be misapplied :;
Or, worse, distracted and converted to the
Uses of some of the handlers. Suspicious
OF these possibilities have been communi-
Gated to US.
We have no hesitation in pronouncing
Tears OF that order unworthy, and such
suspicious of maladministration of the re-
lief funds groundlesS. We do not recall
single instance in which there has been
Tzllful misuse of funds raised for relief in
great calamities. The truth is, that in all
these splendid charities there is such pub
LEFTY of contribution, and such public
knowledge Of the application made of
them, that even if disposed there is very
little opportunity for the custodians to
Eaisappropriate the funds. The vast sum
collected for the relief of the sufferers by
The Chicago fire was accounted for to the
last cent the relief accorded to Jackson
VILE and TO Charleston was so disbursed
chat not penny went wrong-and so, in
all other cases that we can recall, the COM
mlttees receiving the funds have faithfully
and honestly accounted for every dollar.
They may have been imposed upon in the
distribution of relief-doubtless were, but
that they nave ever been guilty of abuse
Of the trust repoSed in them we not only
doubt, but cannot learn that such has ever
been the case.
Il Is an age Of suspicion; there is much
eEcuse for it, since official corruption and
public venality have become rank in
growth, and have put nearly all men in
trusted with public responsibilities under
the eye of suspicion, however uniustly it
may operate. Governor Beaver of Penn
sylyania, to whom the relief funds for the
Pennsylvania sufferers are in large part
forwarded, is sensible of this spirit of dis
trust, and has announced that the admin
istration Of all the funds is to be prose-
cuted through the State Board of Char
tiles, body of men of high character and
tried integrity and capacity The work
Of this Board is supplemented by the sew
eral Relief Committees of the chief cities,
and the direct application of the funds
Will be made through responsible local
bodies. Through all these channels every
dollar will be checked by vouchers, and an
accurate account kept of all details of dis
Oursement. The Pennsylvania State Board
OF Charities is, as we happen to know, one
0f the most trustworthy, best organized
aud experienced arms of charity in the
world. It's record is of a very high order,
and the people of the Keystone State place
Implicit trust in it. There is, therefore,
no reason to entertain for an instant the
shadow of a doubt that a single dollar sent
on to relieve the distressed people of Con-
emaugh valley will be misappropriated.
\ signal instance of the faithfulness
with which public committees of relief in
this country prove loyal to their trust is
chat of the Jacksonville (Florida) Aux
iliary Sanitary Association, that had to do
With yellow fever epidemic of 1888. We
nave the report ofthat Association before us,
Il having been received but yesterday. 1t
IS a volume of some 400 compact pages.
It Is as complete. exhaustive and compre-
hensible an account of the administration
of the funds sent from all over the United
States for relief of suffering in Jackson
vile, as could be demanded by the most
exacting accountant, and the whole is
given over the signatures Of the several
committees and with proofs of verify in
plenitude.
The report gives a full history of the
epidemic and record from day to day OF
every step taken by every local, general,
public or private organization to stay the
plague or to relieve sufferers. Not only is
the report exhaustive as to jacksonville
but as to all other Florida communities
visited by the fever. Indeed the detail OF
correspondence, of costs, of treatment, OF
quarantine, of supplies purchased and OF
whom and prices paid, and hundred
other matters is absolutely wearisome. Not
only is every donation of money or sup.
plies set forth, but the person who made
the donation is named wherever it has
been possible to obtain the original lists
From this report we ascertain that the re-
ceipts from the distant parts of the coun
try were as follows-cash and supplies:
, a..