The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-04

And Were Present at Library Hail
last EvenIn%-Tne Number or Poor
Increasing
It is to be hoped that there is no i'll
luck in the fact that there were just
thirteen persons-seven women and six
men-at the public mass meeting Of the
Associated Charities at Library hail last
evening.
The association is just now realizing
how the average man feels occasionally.
Ii is broke"
There are yet q great many poor 70
look after, however, and the number is
increasing in an alarming proportion. II
was for the purpose OF discussing the
situation that The meeting was called.
President Smith was in the chair and
Secretary Russ got the floor first. After
reading = lot of grateful letters from
people who had received Thanks
giving dinners from the association he
repealed the plan OF ablisAing j stone
yard-rock pile sounds bad TO sensitive
ears-near the office Of the association
for the purpose Of having rock broke
for the food and clothing and fuel given.
lie also suggested that a washnonse be
established on the same plan for women
who had no men folks to break rock for
them.
Lets put the laundry question off for
q month"; said Mrs. Thorpe, land think
over it,"
The meeting agreed to this by a vote
In speaking Of the rock breaking
question Mr.. Russ said:
IAN old lady came TO me the other
dav and said that her husband, who was
more thaa seventy years of age, wanted
to know when the rock pile would be
ready as he was too proud to accept
aims. but would work at fifty cents day
10 support himself and wife"
There was loud applause from Mr.
Wilder's corner at this. and after the
women wiped their eyes the discussion
proceeded.
Mr. Wilder. who had not said any
thing for almost five minutes, arose and
asked to be allowed to repeat his plan of
employing the poor.
Accord ng to the laws of the state"
Mr. Wilder said, 1T devOlVes upon the
county to support the poor. Although I
have in person presented the question Of
cheap employment to the consideration
Of the county TnmissiCners, they have
steadily refused 10 consider It. think
II would be good plan TO have some
one draft = resolution that would call
their attention to the matter in the
srr0ngest way, and have it signed by a
large number Of our largest tax payers
aud then have it presented to the county
commissioners by the strongest com
mlttee we can summon for the purpose.
Mr. smith then got the joke on Mr.
Wilder bv nominating him for the com
mitfee. but SIR Wider said he had not
had his supper yet and did not feel
strong enough to draft strong resOlu-
ton. SO Mr.. Russ, who had had his sup
per. was appointed as the committee on
resOlut5Ons.
At the suggestion Of President Smith
motion was made to allow Secretary
Russ SO to start a rock pile with, and it
was carried with the additional sugges-
ton that BIZ. Russ get up early in the
morning and rustic around 10 borrow
some stone hammers 70 work with
The financial question had not been
settled vet
Il believe / promised to find ten men
who would give 50 each per month to
the association said AIr- Wilder Il have
been tardy about it. but l can do il, yet"
This reminded Dir. Smith that he had
intended to do the same thing, and that
he. too, would make an effort 70 fulfill |
his promise.
citation.
Mrs Thorpe had bright idea
could not the school children help |
mittee be appointed to ask the city SUI
perintendent if the children Of the city
schools may not assist IN getting UP an
entertainment in the high school build
ing TO be given the week before Christ
mas for the benefit Of the association"
This struck the meeting as being
good idea and the motion carried. It
will take hustling but the plan viii be
carried out if possible and President
Smith WAS made the committee 70 see
the school officials.
Prescott & Co. have removed to No