The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 40

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 40

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At the Twentieth Annual Meeting of the Female Hos- pitable Society, November 5, 1828, at No. 5 Apple- Tree Alley, Philadelphia, the following Address and Report from the Managers were read, and the same were approved, and directed to be published for the information of Subscribers, and the use of the So- ciety.

Ladies-Since we had the pleasure of making you a statement of our proceedings, another year has gone by, and mingled with those periods of time which can never return. It is with sentiments of continued thank- fulness to that wise and good Being whose merciful Pro- vidence over us has " neither slumbered nor slept," that we have been spared to present-you once niore the an- nual account of our stewardship.

It will be seen by the amount of expenditure that we cannot congratulate you on any increase of the funds. But your managers take leave to say, they have been particular in selecting cases of the most distress, and have husbanded out their small means to their best judg- ment, and with a view to the most use; but after all they were able to do, numeroua very deserving and needy cases remain unassisted and unnoticed. It may be asked, why is this so? We can but answer according to our experience: and first, we believe much of the dis- tress felt by many who come under our notice, arises out of an alteration in the poor laws, which goes to cut off any allowance to out-door applicants, This breaks

By amount paid to the Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners, per act of the 18th December, 1828

By amount paid to do, advanced out of the State Treasury per act of 18th De- çember, 1828

$2,000,000,00

141

REPORT OF FEMALE HOSPITABLE SOCIETY.

1829.]

up many a decent poor family, and has a most demoral- ising effect on that class of society; for many a poor wi- dow, with helpless children, sometimes grand-chil- dren, could get along with the help of 373 or 50 cents per week from the Guardians, who now is com- pelled either to suffer or go into the Alms-house; and it is well known to those acquainted with legal establish- ments for the poor that they who can enter them become paupers for life; there is no return to the standing in society which they lose by so doing; for they are sub- jected to the lowest moral contamination, and are amal- gamated with every grade of vice ; even the right of suffrage is taken from the men. Thus, all that indepen- dence of feeling and acting is lost, which is so necessary to constitute a virtuous and industrious citizen. When, on the other hand, had a little timely assistance been given them, they would soon have been able to help themselves. Thus, much sorrow to the suffering par- ties might have been spared, and a benefit conferred on the community.

Another cause also is the low price of women's wages. 'This institution has, generally, since the year 1823,given 182 cents for making a shirt; before that time it gave more; when the low price was first adopted, your mana- gers protested against it; the result has confirmed their worst fears-for how can any thing be laid up by the poor for a time of sickness out of 12} cents for making a shirt, even if they could get constant work to do; and the most expert worker we ever knew could not make more than twelve per week, and she gave her whole time to it? Does not this fact speak for itself? What is to become of her children whilst the mother is thus forced to labour? One who had seven to provide for, told your Managers she slept but three hours out of the twenty-four, and her health was sinking under such in- cessant application. It has been said they do not com- plain! What alternative have they? Their necessities compel them to submit-there is no choice-that or the Alms-house. Surely this is treading under foot all the tender charities of our nature, and oppressing the poor in the worst way-the way of injustice. But, in a state- ment 'like this, it is not possible to give any adequate view of the case :- your Managers know these things from actual investigation; but the secluded, the wealthy, the fashionable part of the world, have no idea of the miseries and the difficulties of the poor; and it is only by going to their places of abode, hearing and observ- ing for one's self that any true judgment can be formed of what they endure; and it is with pain we state, that we are often compelled to hear said to us, when solicit- ing aid on their account, O! you encourage them to de- pend too much on societies-you make poor-they are lazy-they will not lay up any thing-they are impro- vident. Alas! how little do our accusers know of the real truth. Theory, when it leads to good practices is praiseworthy; but when it interrupts the course of mer- cy to our poorer brethren, it is hurtful to society, and ought not to be valued for more than it is worth. Be- sides, it should be remembered that hundreds of ready made poor come every season for refuge to our more fa- vored country: an insensibility to their wants would de- stroy that spirit of kindness we are commanded to have for the "stranger within our gates;" and as an impres- sion prevails in many well disposed minds, who have wealth to bestow, that societies increase the poor, we could wish that these facts were more generally reflect- ed upon. They would place the subject in the right light, and be a means of showing that more benefit is conferred on the individual, by relief or work at their own homes, when their other means fail, than in any other form; and that so far from institutions like ours be- ing sources of useless expenditure, they are really se- minaries of economy, and save hundreds of dollars to the public every year, to say nothing of any other kind of good they do towards the preservation of morals- the causing of the widow's heart to sing for joy-keep- ing up the self-respect of the poor, that palladium of their virtues-confirming their industrious habits, as ne-

cessary in a well ordered community as the wealth of the rich. But we would not presume to pass judgment on public feeling or opinion; yet we feel it our duty to state truth, thereby advocating that principle which teaches us to do to others what we should like them to do to us under the same circumstances, believing that ' the mer- ciful shall obtain mercy."

The Visiters of the Sick are also happy to state to you, that they have been strengthened by the power which is from above, to progress still further during the past year in the way of their duty, and although their labours have, in many instances, been arduous, yet the end has been for good. This has encouraged them to persevere through many trying scenes. And they again would affectionately recommend the frequent visiting of the sick; and hope, so long as this institution remains, it will never be neglected, but always have its full weight, amongst us. The high obligation of this duty has so deeply impressed our minds, that we anxiously desire that it may not be forgotten when we are gone, and that our experience of its invaluable benefits to the afflicted may incite others to continue this portion of usefulness in time to come.

The consolation which flows from the right improve- ment of it, is not to be told in a few words; for the bedy of the sick and the dying teach lessons of wisdom to the human heart, which cannot be learned any where else-there the hopes, the joys of the rich-the fears, the cares of the poor, are as one-there the burnish which health gives to the things of time, vanishes- there only can we justly estimate this world, and there alone can we truly know ourselves. It has a tendency to draw together the scattered affections of the soul, to elevate and fix them on that from which true comfort only can be expected. It obliterates useless distinctions, making us all equal in that sense which says " the rich and the poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker of them all."

It only now remains for your Managers to hope, that we may not be discouraged by the pressing calls which are daily made on us, although our funds are altogether insufficient to meet those demands; yet let us do what we can. We have heretofore experienced many signal providences in favour of our poor; let our faith fail not; the same power which hath hitherto supported our small endeavours still prevaileth, and it can again aid us; the hearts of all men are in the hand of one who has commanded us to love our neighbour as ourselves; and this injunction he shows us is best obeyed by ministering of men's abundance to the destitute, the sick and af- flicted, the aged and infirm.

Your Managers also desire to express to you the gra- titude they feel to the Editors of this city; they have published for the Society, gratuitously, to the amount of many dollars, and we can but wish them payment from a treasury which is never empty.

Now let us rise up with one heart and one mind to return to our allotted labours, and unite in interceding that a blessing from above may follow our exertions.

MRS. ELIZABETH VAN PELT, Treasuress, in Account Current with Mrs. MARY A. SNYDER, Governess of the Female Hospitable Society.

DR.

From Nov. 1, 1827, to Nov. 5, 1828.

To cash paid for the Relief and Employment of the Poor -

$339 37

To Stock made up in Work

37 00

Total 376 37

CR.

From Nov. 1, 1827, to Nov. 5, 1828,

By cash per order on the Treasuress $337 36

By interest on the United States Bank Stock 39 00

By two other Shares bought with the remain- der of B. R. Cheever's legacy, 244 00

Total, (errors excepted, ) $630 36

142

MAGDALEN SOCIETY.

[FEBRUARY

Persons relieved by Managers and Visiters 350

Persons employed

Pounds of Bread distributed

3300

Garments to aged and infirm persons 310

Subscriptions and donations received by the Treasu- ress, Mrs. E. Van Pelt, North East corner of Spruce and Fourth streets; also at the Spinning Wheel, No. 5 Apple Tree Alley, where the Society has for sale shirts and comfortables, made by the poor. References will also be given to any one wishing to have work done by ap- plying at the room as above.

MARGARET SILVER, Secretary.

TO THE MAGDALEN SOCIETY

OF PHILADELPHIA.

The approach of this anniversary has reminded your Managers of a duty which devolves upon them, to ren- der to the Society and its friends, a brief account of their proceedings during the past year.

They would acknowledge with fervent gratitude the goodness of that Providence which has enabled them to continue thus far, almoners of this bounty, and melio- rate, in some degree, the condition of a most unhappy class of our fellow creatures.

The degree of success may appear but little, when compared with the extent of the evil which we are en- deavouring to remedy, but even this small comparative good, is great when considered in itself.

With ampler means much more might have been done. We are not, however, to despise the day of small things; but in all such undertakings, every degree of success should encourage, and the wide extent of the remaining evil should urge us forward .-. At the close of the last year, eleven Magdalens were in the Asylum, since that time 14 others have been admitted into the family, making the whole number 25. Of these

There has been placed at service, 3

Reconciled to their parents,

Discharged at her own request, 1

Discharged for improper conduct, 6

Left without permission,

Left for Medical aid,

Remaining this day,

7 -- 25

The expenses of the year, as appears by the orders of the Managers, have amounted to $1068 16, the items of which are as follows :--

Provisions,

$406 77

Clothing,

67 69

Salaries,

297 00

Repairs,

130 11

Taxes,

17 33

Fuel,

69 90

Medicines,

16 03

Incidentals,

63 33

Total,

$1,068 16

The sewing and other labour of the Magdalens, the past year, has produced, $182 25

The Managers take great pleasure in stating that by the care and attention of the Board of Health, the stag- nant water in the immediate vicinity of the Asylum which heretofore has proved so deleterious, has been removed. Although a number of the unhappy inmates, labour under debility and various diseases, the conse- quence of their vicious and guilty lives, yet no death has occurred during the past year. By inspecting the - statement now exhibited, it will be perceived that the number of those who have been hopefully restored to respectability has been less than was exhibited in the last report. Only five of the subjects of your care have been, during the year, placed in respectable families, or reconciled to their friends. This reduced number of favourable cases is not in exact proportion to the ad- missions, a circumstance which may be attributed to the fact that the applicants have been of more than ordinary

depraved habits. The want of such accommodations as would permit the Magdalens to be properly classi- fied, and those of different moral grades to be separated from each other, continues to be increasingly felt and lamented. Instances have repeatedly occurred, in which Magdalens, who have been a length of time un- der care, and evinced hopeful appearances of reform, have, on the admission of others, and by their influ- ence, abandoned their better resolutions, changed their whole behaviour, and conducted themselves in such manner as to render their exclusion necessary.

Some individuals have been admitted whose profes- sions of penitence, there is too much reason to believe were insincere, and who entered with the base and treacherous design of corrupting the more promising inmates. This evil can only be remedied by having separate apartments for the different classes. The ne- cessity of raising additional funds to enable the Man- agers to erect suitable buildings is, therefore, again earnestly recommended to the serious consideration of the Society, and the importance of the measure, it is confidently presumed, will be felt by the benevolent minds who desire the return of penitent transgressors. -It is now 24 years since the Society commenced its efforts to reform the particular class who are the objects of its care. In this period it appears that 300 Magda- lens have entered the Asylum, that 142 degraded fe- males have been restored through its agency to honest and decent pursuits, and again mingled in the sweet . employment of public devotion, have again partaken of the animating examples of Christian conduct, and of the various benefits of virtuous society. This num- ber is almost half the admissions, and offers nearly the average of six outcasts thus annually snatched from destruction, In the world these miserable objects are condemned and studiously avoided; hence, how al- most impossible is their return; but may not the Socie- ty believe it is practising the lessons of the Holy Jesus, our adored Saviour, who said, learn of me, and who, when an atrocious offender, though the Managers trust a penitent one, was brought before him, asked has any man condemned (or witnessed against) thee, and she saying none Lord, replied to her, neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more. This counsel has been steadily inculcated by the Managers; to enforce and to fix the obligations of purity and holiness has been their sedulous care, and when we reflect that 142 individuals have, through the instrumentality of the Society, left their evil courses, does it not present full and satisfac- tory evidence that such labours have not been in vain. Besides these, the Managers have frequent evidence that individuals who have left the Asylum without per- mission, have, notwithstanding, evidenced that they have received much benefit by their residence there, that their morals have been changed, and a steady course of correct conduct has followed

ALEXANDER HENRY, Chairman.

BARTHOLOMEW WISTAR, Secretary. Philadelphia, 2d Month, Feb. 3, 1829.

Managers for the present year.

Alexander Henry,

Bartholomew Wistar,

Ambrose White,

James Moore,

Abraham Hilyard, Abraham L. Pennock,

James Kerr,

George Williams.

Joseph L. Inglis, Attest,

T. MITCHELL, Secretary to the Society.

· HOUSE' OF REFUGE .- The whole number of can- didates for reformation now in the House of Refuge is 38, of whom 28 are boys and 10 girls. The boys . are employed as shoemakers, tailors, book-binders and basket makers, the females in 'the duties of housewifery. The experience of the managers and superintendents, thus far, we are assured, confirms the most sanguine anticipations.

143

PILILADELPHIA COUNTY.

Expenditures by County Commissioners in 1828. stracted from their accounts.

Ab-

For the purchase of paints, oil, and glass, for bridges and public buildings,

Stationary, &c.

$286 42 340 91

31 28

As per act of Assembly, 5000 00

To Assessors for taking the enumeration of taxables for 1828, 1338 64

Bridges-For building the following: Bridge at Fisher's Factory, near German- town, 877 82

Bridge near Harding's, in Blockley, 901 02 Bridge at Rosehill, over Gunner's Run, 5362 82

Bridge near Frankford, at Smith's Factory, 2265 59

Bridges-repairs of sundry County bridges, 155 55

9562 80

Loans borrowed of sundry persons,

58,340 00 446 12

For stone for building bridges,

For iron work of bridges,

236 87

Orders drawn for 1827, and paid 1828, 42 93

For salaries of messenger and super- intendant of public buildings, brushes, inkstands, candlesticks, cleaning courts and offices, &c. 558 00

For publishing accounts, advertising, &c. 340 50

COURTS. Orphans' Court

For copying Records, Indexing, &c. as per act of Assembly, 400 00

Court of Common Pleas.

For Jurors, Criers, and Tipstave's, 1685 00 Mayor's Court.

For Jurors, Aldermen, Constables,

Witnesses, Crier, Tipstaves,

Clerk and Attorney General, 7186 36

Supreme Court.

Jurors, Crier, Tipstaves and Pro- thonotary, 3077 06

Court of Oyer and Terminer.

Jurors, Crier, Tipstaves, Consta- bles, Witnesses, Clerk and At- torney General, 1091 46

District Court.

Jurors, Crier and Tipstaves, 6974 50

Court of Quarter Sessions.

Jurors, Crier, Tipstaves, Consta- bles, Witnesses, Clerk and At- torney General, 6210 25

26,624 63

School Fund.

For 33} per cent. on amount of taxes paid in for support of Public Schools, 37,490 18

For repairs of offices, locks, &c. 112 40

For sheep killed by dogs, 6 75

To painting, cleaning, & fitting up court rooms, 285 59 PRISONS. House of Correction.

For salaries of keepers, support of vagrants and untried prisoners, 13,221 69

Criminal Apartment.

Ground and Water Rent, 56 80

Debtors' Apartment.

Keeper's salary and bread money

for poor debtors, 1431 61

14,710 10

Books, paper, quills, &c.

66 63

For auditing accounts of Treasurer, Com- missioners, &c. 934 00

Fuel and lights for the courts and offices,

267 71

Elections.

For stationary, payment of Judges and In- spectors,

2791 18

For payment of Jurors of View & Damages in Opening Roads, 4264 49 For the payment of Assessors, Books, and making out duplicates, 2951 66 County Treasurer.

For Wm. Moulder's Salary, 1200 00

Reward for detecting a Horse Thief, 20 00

Costs of suits against Retailers of Foreign Mer- chandise, 306 46

Arch Street Prison.

For repairs, alteration, &c. Commissioners.

754 31

For their pay, 2829 00

Clerks.

1650 00

For their Salaries, Coroner.

For Cost of Inquests, Hearses, Coffins, &c. Solicitor.

2506 10

For T. Sergeant's salary and fee in Reid's case, 350 00

For serving writs and commissions on reco- vered forfeitures, 28 35

For interest on Loans, 394 66

84 00

Ward Elections, expense paid, John Trout.

For an overpayment made by him, 300 00

For building sheds in county lumber yard, 148 59

$177,601 25

By Sundries, charged in the above ac- counts, but not drawn for 2339 22

$175,262 03

EXPENDITURES IN SOUTIIWARK.

Abstracted from the .Accounts of the Commissioners of the District.

Lamp and Watch 3563 08

Public Hall, repairs and ground rent 705 08

Contingent expenses 150 47

Public Highways

4259 11

Printing and Advertising 79 44

673 48

Pumps -

Wharton Market, sweeping, &c.

99 87

Regulators

2610 33

Landing's 58 89

Opening streets

104 00

Interest on loans

1206 80

Paving in 1827 3300 00

Salary of Clerk and Superintendent 450 00

200 00

Officers to superintend police Curb stone

4780 01

Paving in 1828

22,443 00

Loans

6000 00

Elections

73 75

Foot paths

118 71

Tax fund, 1828, duplicates 32 75

100 00

Smith work on account Watering Committee 36 56

$51,353 07

Orders of Watering Committee for iron pipes, and laying, &c. 27,735 25

Loan paid off 2,000 00

676 85

Sundries

81,765 17

Balance due corporation

1232 24

$82,997 41

For recording bonds of Collectors of Taxes House of Refuge.

PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.

1829.]

Vaccinating poor

307 04

Engines, Hosc, &c.

144

MISCELLANEOUS.

[FEBRUARY

Their Receipts were, in addition to the balance on hand (1614 35) for

Curb stone -

1427 67

Pawnbrokers Licenses

297 83

Loan

53,000 00

Rent of Wharton Market

253 50

Taxes for 1827

7111 82

do. 1828

5200 00

Rent of public Landings

1967 08

For iron pipes

11,926 94

Sundries

198 22

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Result of the Election for President and Vice President of the United States, for four years, from the 4th day of March next.

Number of Electors appointed

For Pre- \ For Vice Pre- sident. sident.

in each state.

STATES.

of Tennessee.

of Massachusetts.

JOHN Q. ADAMS,

of South Carolina.

JOHN C. CALHOUN,

of Pennsylvania,

RICHARD RUSH,

of South Carolina.

WILLIAM SMITH,

Maine,

New Hampshire,

Massachusetts,

Rhode Island,

Connecticut,

7 36

New York,

New Jersey,

Pennsylvania,

Delaware,

Maryland,

Virginia,

North Carolina,

South Carolina,

Georgia,

Kentucky,

Tennessee, Ohio,

16 5

Louisiana,

Indiana,

Mississippi,

Illinois,

Alabama,

Missouri,

261

178

171

RECAPITULATION.

For President.

ANDREW JACKSON, of Tennessee .

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, of Massachusetts

261

For Vice President.

JOHN C. CALHOUN, of South Carolina -

171

RICHARD RUSH, of Pennsylvania

WILLIAM SMITH, of South Carolina

261

[Nat. Intel.

Pittsburg Manufactures .- The information contained in the following communication will be highly gratify- ing to our readers. That the spinning of flax, is now performed here by machinery, driven by steam power, and on a large scale, will surprise those who have notie-

ed the numerous abortive attempts made elswhere to effectuate an improvement of this kind. From the specimens we have seen of the manufacture, and from the adaptation of the soil of this region to the production of flax, we cannot but anticipate most important results from the improvement introduced by Mr. Towne. We know not, indeed, what is to hinder flax from becom- ing as valuable to the middle and western states, as cot- ton is to the southern.

Flax and Linen Manufactures .- "The demand for flax created by the establishment of our enterprising fellow citizen, John Towne, it is hoped will excite the attention and stimulate the exertions of the farmers to the neighborhood to the cultivation and improvement of this interesting and important staple production of our country. The machinery for spinning flax by steam power, is now in complete operation under the super- intendence of Mr. William Sutliff, to whose mechanical genius and industry we are indebted ( through Mr. Towne's patronage and capital) for this important branch of manufactures, so long a desideratum in this and other countries.

The articles manufactured, viz: Drilling, Table Clothes, Linnen, &c. are of a superior quality. The Damask Table linen, noticed in a late number of the Statesman, as manufactured by Mr. Hamilton Stewart, were made of cotton and linen, and wove by Mr. Thos. Brown, an ingenious workman from near Edinburg .- Mr. Towne's establishment will soon afford materials of the best quality. The above mentioned articles are for sale at the warehouse of the Pittsburg manufacturing association-George Cochran of Rd. Agent, and of Al- fred Cochran & Co .- Pittsburg Paper.

WEATHER .- The snow storm which had commenc- ed on Friday the 20th, when our paper was made up, continued during the whole day and most of the night with scarcely any intermission. On Saturday morn- ing, however, it had ceased. The wind being high the snow drifted very much, but the depth on a level in pla- ces sheltered from the wind, was 12 to 15 inches. It was- the heaviest snow that has occurred for many years, and has been very extensive. 'The mails have been retarded between this city and. New York -and Baltimore-and the lanes in the country have been rendered impassable. The cold during the week up to Wednesday continued unusually severe. The Delaware has been passable on the ice for several days & still remains closed. On Wed- nesday the weather had moderated considerably and during the day a good deal of rain fell, which has caused much of the snow, with which our streets and yards were filled, to disappear. Wood has been scarce and very dear-oak sold for 10 and hickory $12. On Saturday a public meeting was held, to take meas- ures for the relief of the poor; and ward committees ap- pointed to solicit contributions. The sufferings of the poor are said to have been great-several benevolent individuals, who had laid up wood for the use of their factories &c. have with a praise worthy liberality either distributed it gratuitously or sold it out in small quanti- ties at reduced prices. S. Girard Esq. who had for sev- eral years been accumulating a large stock of old plank, scantling, boards &c. upon his lot corner of 12th and Market streets, gave notice that on a certain day it would be distributed gratuitously to the poor. This drew to gether an immense concourse of applicants and carts, which filled the four neighbouring streets, and attracted a considerable number of spectators to witness the scene, which was occasionally ludicrous, notwithstanding the miserable appearance of many of the actors. The cartmen took advantage in many cases of the necessities of the poor by demanding exorbitant prices for the use of their carts. It is probable, from present appearances, that the severity of the winter is now passed- Should the melting of the snow be very rapid, it is to be feared we will hear of destructive freshets on the streams in the country --. Friday, Feb. 27.

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 40

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440