THE POWYS AND OFFICIAL CHARITIES.
PgopLE are withholding their subscriptions from the Patriotic Fund, it seems, on the supposition that it is capriciously adminis- tered. Here is a character earned by a gentleman suddenly ex- alted into public notice as the personal representative of a great charity,—that he is a reason—the reason—for not subscribing! In distributing the public bounty, Major Powys has assumed an aspect of official constraint, refusing to " recognize " various widows or wives unprovided with regimental forms, or Roman Catholic cler- gymen, Established clergymen if they differ with him, or even the Times newspaper. It is explained on his behalf, that the restriction lies in one of the original rules in the constitution octroye fur the charity, and, that he only obeys the rule. But he said nothing to soften a nionifest mistake; nothing about revision, until driven to it. There he has let the official people, so proverbially "cold," get before him. Captain Fishbourne, the Secretary of the Royal Commission, has put forth a distinct declaration that the official people make no such distinction in refusing to recognize widows or orphans of soldiers married without leave.
But the Royal Patriotic Fund itself, we fear, is guilty of one Wrong distinction. What the public desires is, that all wives and children who are reduced to want by the absence or death of their husbands and fathers, as soldiers in the East, shall be succoured : the Royal Commission, it seems, only grant post-obit relief, to " widows and orphans "; leaving absolutely destitute children and wives of soldiers taken away from home, to wish for the death of the husband or parent as their only qualification for rescue from starvation. If this is the case, the rule should be revised forth- with, and the whole made clear to the public.
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