Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-01-04
AINCKLDY COMMISSION
a Letter From Senator Hodge Endors-
ing It's Work and Promising
Support.
NOTHING TO BE CONCEALED.
Secretary Hart Says a Full Report
Will Be Made to the Legislature
and the Public.

ST. PAUL, Dec. 28.-A few Of the
Pine City people still continue their
attacks on the members Of the state re-
lief commission. In the last issue Of
the Rush City Post the editor Of that
paper says that Senator-elect F. A.
Hodge twas very enthusiastic over the
stand taken by The Post" He then
goes on to show by the census that
there were in all !, 1000 people in Pine.
Mile Laos, Carlton and Otter Tail
counties entitled to relief, whereas the
commission states that 1900 people
were given aid.
commission spoke Of these charges and
in relation to Senator-elect Hodges at
titude handed the reporter this letter:
Senator Hodges Letter.
Pine City, Mimi, Dec. IL, 1884,
Hon. H. H. Hart, Secretary State Re.
lief Commission-Dear Sir: I have
just received your favor Of the 10th
inst, asking whether in my Judgment
the people of this county approve in
general Of the work of the fire relief
commission so far as it has gone, and
will endorse it to the legislature I
hasten to answer and say to you that
in my opinion the people of this county
will approve the work Of your commits
sion and endorse it to the legislature,
and that my opinion may be taken for
what it is worth, it is but fair for me
to say that since the middle of Septem-
Der I have had but little personal
knowledge Of the work. That of those
conversant with the matter with whom
I have talked, some have shown a dis
position to criticise and find fault, but
by far the larger number, and those in
whose Judgment and fairness I have
the most confidence,
Have Given It Their Approval.
and that this opinion is based on the
confidence I have that the report your
commission submits will indicate that
it has executed it's trust in a manner
worthy OF the distinguished gentlemen
constituting it's membership, and the
knowledge I have of the good sense,
kind hearts and fair Judgment of the
citizens of this county and the deep
N Of gratitude felt toward those
who have SO generously contributed to
their relief. The prompt and wise ac-
ton of Governor Nelson in selecting
this commission is universally COM
mended. It is we'll understood that
the high standing Of the gentlemen
composing it commanded the conf
dence Of all, and this increased by
thousands of dollars the amount Of
oop,f,rs ~, +;o,,o XII =, 1o&,ck,~l that %1o
plan pursued by the commission in dis
tribution Of funds in their hands was
approved by a large majority Of the
donors, and 1 know that the members
OF the commission in accepting this
trust and generously giving their val
liable time to its execution, must have
been actuated by the kindest and most
charitable motives, and I presume ex-
pected their most satisfactory reward
in the approval Of their consciences. I
trust they will continue the work in
the same spirit, and I cannot doubt
the legislature will approve their work
and reimburse them for the funds they
have so generously advanced. Yours
very truly, FRED A. HODGE"
The Number Relieved.
''The state commission" added MI.
Hart, twill make a full report of its
doings. The commission has nothing
70 conceal, and its doings will be given
to the legislature and to the public.
The commission has no exact number
OF people registered at Duluth, Pine
City and Hinckley, but I understand it
is something Over 2, 900 people, which
includes some people who did not live
in the district burned over at the time
Of the fire, but who were dependent on
those who did live there and so lost
their means Of subsistence.
nv yvOuTn ACCEPT