The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-19
no rIGnr
Preparatory Steps Taken at 81. Paui's
Church Last Evening.

A meeting OF members Of the churches
OF various denominations was held In
the lecture room Of st. Pauls Episcopal
church last evening. to agree on some
concerted action I'm assisting the needy
poor in this city during the coming
winter.
Dr. w. w. Parker called the meeting
10 order and on his motion Mr.. VIM.
IT,. Peasants was elected president, and
Mr.. c. Werner secretary.
Dr. Parker in explaining the object
Of the meeting stated that he had issued
the call in order hat an extraordinary
effort might be made to assist the poor
during the coming winter. He added that
he personally knew Of a good many in
stances where worthy people were i'm
want and the distress was bound to in
crease with the progress Of the win
ter and as the people continued 10 he
thrown out Of employment He. there
fore. moved that Mayor Ellyson be re-
oJes'td 10 Issue a call for a mass meet
ing 10 be held at an early day. at the
building OF the Young Mems Christirn
Association.
In abiding to the great suffering pre-
valing In this city some twenty years
ago, Or. Parker stated. that nc that
time the city appropriated several thous-
and dollars, and with that money a
commissary department Was established.
where rations were issued TO the needy.
He bad always decided 10 make a start
In the assistance of the poor. for by
tomorrow morning he would start out
wagons 20 make the rounds through the
different parts Of the city to gather in
what clothing he could obtain from the
better situated families. However. this
was not sufficient, and it was highly
important 10 secure provisions as we'll as
clothing.
Mr.. George Bidgood thought that the
invitation TO attend the proposed mass
meeting should not be restricted to the
male portion Of the population only. hut
hat the ladies should also be invited. who
know, far better than men, how TO
provide and dispense charity. He ex-
planned that some years ago. when q
severe snow storm visited this city. the
active members OF the Young Mems
Christian Association divided themselves
into committees and went all over the
city TO relieve the suffering.
IL was very necessary 20 go about IL
in a systematic way I'm order to be sue
cessful. II was very probable. that the
factories I'm this city would this year
shut down n week earlier than usual, and
would possibly not reopen until perhaps
January 10th. There would be naturally
increased suffering and IT would be very
necessary 10 make provision for the peo-
pie, who in tFat manner would be thrown
out Of work.
Mr.. Peasants called attention 10 the
fact. that he had beer informed by Mr..
r.. W. Carter. superintendent Of the City
Almshouse. that there are now about
1900 families in this city, members Of
which arc thrown out %
on last Wednesday eighty-two families.
md on Friday eighty-fve were added to
the list.
The motion Of Or. Parker was then
adopted.
Or. Parker requested that any young
men. who have time to spare. and are
willing to accompany the wagons on
their trips Of charity. should report TO
him either to-day or early tomorrow
morning.
The secretary was directed 10 request
Major Ellvson TO issue a proclamation
for a mass meeting 10 be held, II posi-
bic, some evening this week.