The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-12-28
CRIES OF DISTRESS
Many Thousands of Good People
Suffering for Want of Food.
ERA OF POVERTY AND WOE
Piteous Appeals for Temporary Relief
and Universal Clamor for Re-
vIval of Industries.

CHICAGO, Dec. 24.-Christmas festivi-
ties in this city were characterized In
marked degree by charitable phases, In
view of the prevailing hard times. In
addition to the resident destitute thous-
ands of impecunious visitors to the
worlds fair were stranded here unable
to return to their homes. To devise
ways and means to provide for the wants
of this vast army of INDECENT fellow
beings has been for many weeks the
constant study of thoughtful and phil
lanthropic citizens. In a recent procla-
nation the mayor outlined the distress
ing conditions, saying:
Whereas: Many thousands OF the good |
people OF Chicago, heretofore accustomed |!
only to independent self support, have, by |
reason Of severe stagnation in customary
industrial pursuits, became temporarily de-
prived OF al substantial means OF life and
! comfort, and many are already suffering for
food, clothing and shelter. This u .-ampled
condition in this proud and prosperous COM
munity demands prompt, energetic and de-
ceive action for it's relief and that our citi-
zens ore favored in fortune should unlock
their treasures with generous heart for dis
Greet and ample relief to our suffering fell
lows, and
Whereas The city council, itself deprived
by law OF authority to provide the necessary
aid, has promoted and procured the organi-
zation OF central relief committee, COM
posed of fifty of our leading responsible,
energetic and humane and women,
who have organized and are proceed
ing in their charitable endeavor. OF
this committee, Lyman j. Gage OF the
First National bank is treasurer. 1t is.
therefore deemed that the chief officer OF the
city for the time being, officially make known
the needs OF the unemployed and invite the
cordial cooperation Of all good people in
the humane and philantrophic objects con-,
templated.
Now therefore, |, George B. Swift acting
mayor of the city of Chicago, in virtue OF
the higher law OF humanity and in obedience
: to the charitable demands OF our people, do
hereby proclaim and make known that
hunger want and destitution already pre-
vail in our midsS to the extent that great
numbers OF our fellow men and women are
suffering for the common necessaries of life.
Some thousands are conRregated in cold and
unwholesome public buildings, yet many
thousand in their quiet cottages and apart
) ments are scarcely less destitute, and with
the approaching cold OF q long winter the
calamity is certain to intensity. This pitt
full condition threatens also the health and
good order Of our beloved city. Desperate
men do desperate deeds 1t must not longer
be that mon and their families, honest fel-
lows among us, shall longer suffer. The
famed wealth, generosity and benevolent he
roism OF Chicago assured, trust, u speedy
and ample remedy. Let there be- then, free,
cheerful and generous contributions in money
forthwith remitted to the treasurer of the
central relief committee, where it will surely
be discreetly expended in ftly exemplfying
the true brotherhood of man. "Love thy
neighbor as thyself" "Inasmuch as ye have
5 done it unto one OF the least Of these, my
brethren ye have done it also unto Me.
Given under my hand and seal of the city
I, of Chicago this 10th day OF December, 1898.
GEORGE b. SWIFT, Acting Mayor.
Cash contributions ranging from 81
to ST. 900 are pouring into the Chicago
relief fund, of which Lyman J. Gage is
chairman, and the fund has reached
, enormous proportions, but the daily de-
mands are far in excess of the contri
. buttons. Officials and employees in the
! public service, including mayor, alder
men, police and letter-carriers, have
shown high appreciation of their good
fortune in having employment and very
generous donations are received from
), this source. Coroner McHale, at hil
personal expense, in three hours passed
out 600 baskets of provisions, each suit
!, able for good dinner.
The Central Relief Association ha
!, districted the city and is distributing
over 81 900 daily among the poor fami
: lies. All the churches and benevolen
orders have joined in the work.
fashionable charity ball attracts
the cream of society and netted larg
:. sum for the unfortunate. In fact, dun
ing this usually merry season no put
lie entertainment is popular without
charity feature.
The people are resolved that none c
% tQOSe now III tuS City snail pcIlSu I
hunger or cold, although to prevent
ID herculean efforts are required To ca,
ry out this purpose and avoid impositio
nt through the invasion of professions
re tramps from other localities special p
I'd lice have been sworn in to guard th
1t railroads and other avenues of ingres
d. Chicago is not appealing to the ou
er side for assistance and only regrets tn;
n the strain upon her own resources re-
en- ders it impossible for her people to CO
IL tribute toward the relief of sufferir
be elsewhere, as they have ever done
TO the past.
tie Poverty at the Kansas Capital.
elf TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. 26.-The Min
er ter ial Union, embracing all the chur,
denominations in this cily, decid
tonight TO hold grand mass meetil