The San Francisco call., 1898-12-20
Check for Fifty Thou sand Proffered to
 Governor Budd.
Committee of Leading Citizens Appointed to Distribute the Re-
 lief Fund.

n LANS were devised and put into
 U effect yesterday that will afford
 ample and immediate relief for l the destitute farmers in Monte
 rey and San Luis Obispo coun- ties. In The Call of last Sunday state ments were published describing the extent and nature of the destitution in that region. The intelligence con- veyed to The Call was at the same time placed before Governor Budd. who announced at once that prompt meas ures would be taken to provide tenn porary relief and bridge over the dis tress until the Legislature convened.
 Yesterday a representative of this paper waited on Governor Budd and referred to the fact that at one time in the history of the State when no public money was immediately avail able for the support of one of the State institutions, Charles Crocker advanced from his own means the sum of $50 O00. and was subsequently, reimbursed by the State through action of the Legis- lature. The Governor remarked that there might be some difficulty at this time in finding man so generous and publicspirited as to advance the money needed to alleviate the distress in the counties mentioned. The representa- tive of The Call suggested that the Governor go with him and present the case to Claus Spreckels. The sugges- tion was readily accepted, and they called on MT. Spreckels. who listened with close attention to the Governors s statement of the situation. and then. without hesitation, MT. Spreckels prof. fered his check for $50 900.
 Governor Budd had no thought of suggesting a greater sum than s25.0OO. hence he was surprised and gratified beyond measure at MT. Spreckels' prompt and generous response. The Governor, upon reflection, decided that one-half of the amount named by MT. Spreckels would be sufficient to meet the urgent necessities of the situation.
 Very good" remarked MT. Spreckels. i've will make the check for s25.000 with the assurance that if s25000 more is required you can have it."
 The Governor. desiring that Mir. Spreckels should clearly comprehend the case. explained that the question of reimbursement would rest wholly with the Legislature. The latter manifested no uneasiness on that score. He said he had given away larger sums than that and if the amount should not be repaid he could get along very well without it. He said he was taking care of fifty families in that region and had already advanced $50, 900 to the farmer of that locality, which would be repaid, he fancied. when they were favored with good crops. A large tract of land which he purchased in that section of the State had been cut up into small holdings for the convenience of the settlers. He had asked families to set tie there and agreed to purchase the products of their land. but owing to the prolonged drought the land last season did not produce a spear of grass. There fore he had advanced money and con- tributed supplies to those with whom he was in that sense associated. Others no doubt were equally deserving and should receive assistance.
 Governor Budd returned to the Pal ace Hotel delighted with the happy re- suit of his expedition and immediately adopted plan for the proper disburse- ment of the relief fund He decided to appoint three well known men of high
 
 of money and supplies to the end that the relief should be at once afforded to those in need of it. Ho named as the committee A. B. Spreckels, President of the State Board of Agriculture; J; mes D. Phelan, Mayor of San Francisco, nd F. W. Dohrmann, of the Merchants Association. The nature of the ser vice which the Governor. requested was explained to each of the three, and they all agreed to serve as a sense of public duty demanded the service.
 When merchants, bankers and others of the community were informed of the happy adjustment brought about by the conference of the Governor and Claus Spreckels the utmost satisfaction was expressed.
 The whole question of affording relief to those in need of assistance is now disposed of until the Legislature sees fit to make an appropriation of public money. The relief can be quietly and speedily afforded in a systematic and methodical manner. There will be no occasion for printing a picture of every person obtaining help together with his name and biography. A sack of flour may be sent tea family in need of it, and illustratio of the family tree will not be required as a condition of relief.
 Now that all the money needed has been secured there will be no excuse for importuning merchants of the city every hour of the day to contribute either cash or merchandise Should Governor Budd find the sum of s25 900 inadequate he can go to Claus Spreck- els and get $25, 900 more. There will be nothing to justify any individual or any community in organizing begging ex- petition to visit the Eastern cities of the country. The great and rich State of California will amply provide cloth