Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-18
Causes which may probably occupy tn

Causes which may proftably occupy the
attention Of statesmen who can spare
little time from partisan business have
brought into existence condition the like
of which has not been known In this city
Tor many years: a condition that calls for
the immediate exercise Of broad and equi-
table charity. Throughout a summer that
to the business world has been succession
Of financial disturbances. men and women.
whose livelihood was imperiled, waited for
the coming Of the promised brighter day.
Summer merged into autumn and yet in
dustries continued to suffer from the par
alysis consequent upon distrust and strin-
gency. 1t was said that relief could only
come through legislation and when the
House OF Representatives voted to remove
what many declared was the depressing m
fuence hope temporarily revived, only to
dwindle away as the tardy Senate tor
mented distressed people. Pressure that
could not be resisted finally compelled a
vote. but the delay had beea fatal to many
interests. A small proportion of the closed
factories re-cpened their doors and gave
employment to as many as possible Of the
old hands. hut 1t was soon evident that
rapid recovery from the shock of panic
was out Of the question. A trickling
stream OF the country's boarded capital
found its way into circulation, but 1t was
barely enough to moisten and give little
warmth to the shrunken veins of the man.
ufacturing and mercantile body. It is true
that the nation now moves steadily toward
financial convalescence but that fact will
not I'LL the stomachs of the thousands of
men and women who today know not
where to turn for sufficiency of the plain
est food, who tremble hourly at the pros
pect of being evicted from once comfortable
homes, and who, If permitted to remain
under shelter. for which rent cannot be
paid. have no means with which to pur-
chase fuel. How many such unfortunates
are now in this city Is not definitely known,
but the number would startle could the
figures be obtained and be spread abroad.
And yet this community is Comparatively
fortunate. In every other American city
there Is much more Of pinching poverty
than Is to be found within the District of
Columbia The ratio OF increase of those
VINO must soon perforce seek charity or
perish will be less here than elsewhere,
but II will be sufficient to tax local banef- |
ceDce more heavily than ever before To
relieve the present and prospective suffer-
ing will be a work Of great difficulty not
only because Of the magnitude Of the un- |
dertaking but because also of the character
or those, heretofore unaccustomed to being |
benefciaries, who will need assistance I'M !
til better conditions prevail. Thanksgiving |
Is at hand and in verv many homes the |
reasons for present gratitude will be few. |
1t il time when the hearts of the fortu- |
nate should be uniformly tender and their
pocketbooks be within easy reach Indis- |
cr'minate giving Is frequently condemned |
and those who indulge in 1t are often right
fully accused Of encouraging pauperism,
50 It would undoubtedly be best for those
who desire to relieve real want to entrust
their gifts to one Of the recognized dis
trfbLtins agencies. There will be use for
every dollar.