Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-16
HOW A GREAT CHARITY WAS HANDLED

coming into sacramento.
HOW A GREAT CHARITY WAS HANDLED,
Governor Beaver, of Pennsylvania, and
the Johnstown Relief Commission, have
made an elaborate report of the receipt
and expenditure of funds for the relief of
sufferers by the Johnstown flood. 1t makes
a thick, closely-printed book.
Since the spirit of charity is so strong in
the American people, and their response
to the cry of distress in great disasters is
so prompt and generous, it is well that
such reports as that referred to should
have wide publicity, that the people may
be encouraged to similar deeds of relief
and feel assured that their contributions
are faithfully applied.
From the yoluminous report we learn
that the loss of life by the Pennsylvania
disaster was 2,l42 persons, 923 being fe-
male and 1919 males. Only 617 females
and 49S males were found and identified.
1uCIG HCIC YOU vi DOLu SCACo lOulu WuOSS
bodies were not identified.
The result of the food was that 124
women were made widows, and 1913 men
lost their wives by drowning and by fire.
OF orphans made by the food, 81 are
fatherless and 100 motherless; SO children
lost both parents, and SO whole families
met their death in the raging waters.
The applicants for relief and having no
means left, were 6,229. The widows were
given Of the relief fund about 81, 500 each,
or total of SlS3,2S and their children
received or had set aside for their benefit
$10S,500. For the orphans annual annui-
ties of $50 year were purchased payable
until they are 16 years old, and S119,-
GIG Sc were required to effect that end
The sworn Individual losses amounted to
$9,674,105 These were scaled % per
cent. by local committees of investigation.
The corporation losses amounted to 3d.
107,500, but corporations were not listed
for relief nor given any. The cash con-
tributions for the relief fund aggregated
$4,l16,S01 As. Of this sum California
sent on 500, l42 AZ, Sacramento contribut-
ing $4,4l6 GO. Not all of these sums
passed through the hands of the Commits
sion or of the Governor, some of the money
going through local committees and pri-
vate avenues, and some considerable sums
going through society channels or directly,
OF which no account can be had.
The relief given was in the burial of
the dead, care of the wounded, shipment
away of the helpless: in furnishing food,
clothing, temporary houses, ready-made
houses, tents furniture, tools, and means
to resume work. 1t required $4,000 to
erect, equip and fit out hospital and sup
ply it with nurses, and this hospital will
be needed for some time to come. 1t is
intended to make this building permanent,
a memorial of the generosity of men to
their suffering fellow men.
The cash paid out to recipients by the
Relief Commission was S2,37S.275. The
Commission received in all, $2,9l2,S46 80,
and its entire clerical expense in disburs-
ing the fund, in ascertaining need, in adj
justing relief upon an equitable basis, in
taking proofs. guarding against fraud, and
its general work, was S5,72S SO, or less
than one-6fth Of one per cent. When the
magnitude of the task is considered, and
the great difficulties encountered in adjust
ng distribution of funds according to
scale of equity and mercy combined is
taken into account, this achievement de-
serves to rank among the most remarka-
bic of human benefcence.
The Commission has now in bank $751;
205 AZ, which is held to meet emergen-
cies and to aid sufferers who are trying to
regain their feet without assistance, but
who may yet have to be aided by the Com
mission. The labor involved in deciding
upon the merits of claims made and what
would be a just award, was very great, say
the Commission, but we know from private
advices that this is too mild a statement
it was enormous, and called for the exer-
else of patience, frmness, gentleness and |
business skill that has no parallel in his
tory. The Commission worked through
eighteen local investigation committees,
each one operating in well defined dis
trict.
When all losses, deaths and needs had |
been ascertained and carefully registered,
with the proofs in each case, all claimants
were classified and to each class sum per |
capita was allotted as first distribution. |
Then, when the classes were better defined, |
a final distribution was made. Thus 4,6l6 |
received head money sl4S,S9e; 735 furni
tire and houses, S147,S71; $3.50 first dis !