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 63

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 63

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Chief Justice Gibson .- Our opinion is against the mo- tion. There is no safer exposition of what was intend- ed by such an instrument than usage. There is the strongest evidence that the right was never claimed .---- I see no reason, if the women can vote, why they might not be elected Church Wardens and Vestrymen-we must look to consequences-the rule is refused.

Judge Tod differed from the rest of the Court-and said that in his opinion the females had a right to vote -Judge Huston was absent.

REPORT ON PUBLIC CHARITIES.

The subscribers, a committee appointed by the Town Meeting of the citizens of the city and county of Phila- delphia, on the 21st ult. to ascertain whether those who are able and willing to work, can in general procure employment-what is the effect upon the comfort, hap- piness and morals of the females who depend on their work for a support, of the low rate of the wages, paid to that class of society -- to what extent the suffering's of the poor are attributable to those low wages-and what is the effect of benevolent or assistance societies

on the industry of the labouring poor-Beg leave to Report,

That they have attended to the duties confided to them with a due sense of their importance, not merely to the comfort, happiness and morals of that distressed, interesting and numerous portion of our population, whose case was particularly referred to them, but to the character of the community at large, which is deep- ly involved in the question of the justice done to that class, & the care & attention Destowed on their welfare:

"That they are convinced, from a careful examination of the subject, that the wages paid to seamstresses who work in their own apartments-to spoolers-to spinners -to folders of printed books-and in many cases to those who take in washing, are utterly inadequate to their support,even if fully employed, particularly if they have children unable to aid them in their industry, as is often the case; whereas the work is so precarious that they are often unemployed-sometimes for a whole week together-and very frequently one or two days in each week. In many cases no small portion of their time is spent in seeking and waiting for work, and in taking it home when done:

That in the different branches above specified, in- dustrious and expert women, unencumbered with fam- ilies, and with steady employmeut, cannot average more than a dollar and a quarter a week; that their room rent is generally fifty cents, sometimes sixty- two and a half; and fuel probably cost about 25 cents per week, on an average throughout the year. Thus in the case of con- stant unceasing employment (a case that rarely occurs, ) there remains but about half a dollar per week, or twenty-six dollars per annum, for food and clothing; and supposing only eight weeks in the year unemployed through sickness, want of work, or attention to children (and this is but a moderate calculation) the amount for food and clothing would be reduced to the most miser- able pittance of sixteen dollars per annum! Can we wonder at the harrowing misery and distress that pre- vail among this class, under such a deplorable state of things?

That it is a most lamentable fact, that among the wo- men thus "ground to the earth" by such inadequate wages, are to be found numbers of widows, with small children, who, by the untimely death of their husbands, and those reverses of fortune to which human affairs are liable, have been gradually reduced from a state of comfort and affluence to penury, and thrown upon the world, with no other dependance than their needles to support themselves and their offspring:

That although it is freely admitted that great distress and poverty arise from the habits of dissipation and in- temperance of some husbands, and their shameful ne- glect to make that provision for their wives and chil- dren which they are bound to do by the laws of God and man, (and which, it is deeply to be regretted, the laws do not duly enforce,) yet we feel satisfied that those deplorable and pernicious habits do not pro- duce half the wretchedness to which meritorious fe- males are subjected in this city, of which the greater portion arises from the other source which we have stated, and which places before this class the alterna- tives of begging-applying to the overseers of the poor -stealing-or starving. We might add another-but we forebare.

That the scene of distress and suffering which we have witnessed in our various visits to the dwellings of women who depend on their labour for support, result- ing from inadequate wages, are of the most afflicting kind,and canscarcely be believed butby those by whom they have been beheld. We have found cases of wo- men whose husbands have been for weeks disabled by accidents, or by sickness produced by working on ca- nals, surrounded by pestiferous miasmata, who have had to support their husbands and three or four chil- dren, by spooling at 20 cents per hundred skeins-by spinning at as low a rate of compensation-by washing

229

REPORT ON PUBLIC CHARITIES.

1829.]

and rough drying at 20 or.25 cents per dozen-or by · making shirts and pantaloons at 123 cents each.

That it is a great error to suppose as is too frequently supposed, that every person in this community able and willing to work. 'can procure employment; as there are many persons of both sexes, more particularly. females, who are at all times partially, and frequently unemploy- cd, although anxions to procure employment for females, which is the chief reason why their wages are so dispro- portioned to those of males.

That there are few errors more pernicious, or more destitute of foundation, than the idea which has of late ycars been industriously propagated, that the benevo- lent societies of this city produce idleness and dissipa- tion, by inducing the poor to depend on them, instead of depending on industry. The whole of the annual subscriptions for last year, to seven of the most promi- nent of these societies, embracing, it is believed, nearly all of any importance, was only 1069 dollars-and the whole of their disbursments, only 3740 dollars, a sum which obviously could not materially affect the industry of the many thousands, male and female, who have to work for their living. And it is of the last importance, in the consideration of this question, to take notice, that most part of these disbursments, was for work done by aged women, and for food and clothing furnished to superan- nuated men and women, and destitute children.

That those societies far from increasing idleness and pauperism, have a directly contrary tendency; as, by the timely aid they afford, in seasons of distress and pres- sure, they very frequently produce the important effect of rescuing deserving persons from sinking into hopeless poverty,and thus becoming chargeable as paupers. Cases of this kind are of frequent occurrence. And it is not im- probable that the consequent annual diminution of the poor tax exceeds the whole amount contributed to those societies by our citizens.

The fund of those societies are managed with great prudence and circumspection-as the ladies humanely visit the poor in their habitations-ascertain the extent of their sufferings, as well as the nature of their claims for relief-and afford such aid as the cases respectively may require, and as their very limited means warrant. We think it but justice to declare, that we cannot con- conceive of any mode in which the same amount of mo- ney could do more effectual good-and we believe that the beneficence of the managers adds lustre to the character of the city. They are admirably calculated to be almoners to the wealthy, who are unable to seek out proper objects of charity, and are constantly liable to gross imposition.

That numerous proofs of the industry of the classes which depend for support upon their labour, and of the injustice of the denunciations levelled against them, may be produced: but we shall confine ourselves to two, one as regards males the other as regards females. The first is the thousands of men who eagerly seek for la- bour on the canals, often in pestilential situations, with death staring them in the face-the second the fact that from one thousand to cleven hundred women have weekly travelled three, four, six, eight or ten squares, and anxiously waited for hours at the Provident Society's room for work, although it was known that they could not procure more than enough to employ themselves two, three or four days in the week. These two facts alone, ought to settle this question beyond the power of cavil or appeal.

For evils of the magnitude and inveteracy of those un- der which the women suffer, who depended on their labour for support, it is difficult to devise a remedy .- A complete remedy is perhaps impracticable. They may, however, and we hope will, be mitigated. The mitigation must wholly depend on the humanity and the sense of justice of those by whom they are employ- ed, who, for the honor of human nature, it is to be sup- posed, have not been aware of the fact, that the wages they have been paying, were inadequate to the purchase of food, raiment and lodging; and who, now that the re-

al state of the case is made manifest, will probably, as they certainly ought to, increase those wages. Although the great increasing competition in trade, renders it ne- cessary to use rigid economy in the expense of produc- ing articles for market, it can never palliate, far less justify the oppression of the ill-fated people engaged in the production, by whose labors large fortunes are made, and their employers enabled to live in case and opulence.

It is peculiarly incumbent on those wealthy ladies, who employ scamstresses or washerwomen, and who ought to feel sympathy for the sufferings of their sex, to give them such wages as will not only yield them a present support, but enable them to make a provision for times of sickness or scarcity of employment. It is pain- ful to state, but regard for truth obliges us to state, that in this respect sufficient attention is not generally paid to the sacred rule of "doing unto others as we would have others do unto us." A moderate degree of atten- tion to this rule, would annihilate a great portion of the distress of hundreds of suffering females.

One important means of mitigating the distress of this class, would be, to increase as far as possible tlie diversity of female employments, by which that compe- tition which has produced the pernicious reduction of wages, would be diminished.

The committee hope they will be pardoned for touch- ing on a subject analagous to the object of their ap- pointment, although not embraced in its terms. It is to recommend to the most serious consideration of the benevolent of their fellow citizens, the cstablishment of a "society for bettering the condition of the poor," by encouraging habits of order, regularity, and cleanli- ness in their persons and apartments, by instructing them in the most economical modes of cooking their food; by inducing them to send their children to school, and when arrived at a proper age, to bind them appren- tices to useful trades, and to lodge the little surplus of their carnings, when they have any surplus, in the sav- ing fund, by enabling them to purchase fuel and other necessaries at reasonable rates; in a word, by inculcating on them those principles and that kind of conduct, which are calculated to elevate them in their own esti- mation, and in that of society at large. Societies of this description have produced the most salutary ef- fects on the comfort and morals of the poor in various parts of Great Britain ..

And while the committee press on the humane and wealthy part of the community, the propriety of aiding in a greater degree than heretofore (by their own exer- tions and through the various benevolent societies that exist among us, and whose funds are at present greatly reduced,) to alleviate the distressess of the numerous widows, orphans, and the really deserving poor and helpless of every description; they would likewise sug- gest to housekeepers and heads of families the propriety of seeking out and employing in the situation of domes- tics, in their several families, destitute females, who by the frowns of fortune have been reduced to distress. Hundreds of this description are to be found within the precincts of the city and liberties, who, if properly en- couraged, would be grateful for the means of employ- ment thus afforded them, and who might profit by the precept and example set before them in the houses of respectable citizens. Perhaps there are few ties, in common life, more binding than those that are found to exist between a benevolent master and mistress, and a faithful servant, who has grown up under their own eyes, and under their care and protection, and that of their descendants. All which is respectfully submitted.

MATHEW CAREY, ROBERT SMITH, JOSEPH WATSON, CHARLES M. DUPUY, BENJAMIN TUCKER, M. M. CARLL, GEORGE EMERICK,

Committee.

230

RELIEF OF THE POOR.

[APRIL

RELIEF OF THE POOR.

Report from the Committee of Superintendence for the Relief of the Poor.

The alert benevolence recently exhibited by the citi- zens of Philadelphia, in order if possible to extricate a large portion of the poor of their district from extraor- dinary suffering, occasioned by a winter of uncommon duration and intense severity, should be faithfully re- corded as an example for future emulation, and as af- fording to the deserving unfortunate a consolatory proof that their hardships are neither unfelt for, nor for- gotten. It must be borne in mind that the city and the county of Philadelphia still are, as they long have been, distinguished by numbers of permanent institutions of a charitable character, separate from the pauper system established by law, whose silent and unceasing exertions might be deemed adequate, except on sudden emer- gencies when the causes of calamity are uncontrollable by human skill, and their effects too wide spread and rapid for ordinary precaution.

Many years have elapsed since we have been visited by a season of such extreme cold, accompanied by so many and such lingering snow storms; nor was it until late in February that the hope of a favourable change ceased, and the humane became convinced of the ne- cessity of instantly preparing for the worst. A town meeting was called by several of our most eminent phi- lanthropists on the twenty-first day of February, and was early crowded by those disposed to be alike generous and prompt in contributing towards this noble object. Committees were appointed to collect forthwith funds in the wards of the City, in those of the Northern Liber- ties, in Penn Township, and.in Southwark; and a gene- ral committee of superintendence was designated, on whom devolved the duties of receiving the supplies and of arranging a system of distribution, by which the ends of this extra charity might be quickly, prudently, and ef- fectively attained. This latter committee, having closed their labours, now present to those whose humble and voluntary agents they were, the present general report of their proceedings.

With a view to rapidity and convenienceof movement, the committee of superintendence, having first exercised the power originally vested in them of augmenting their own number, sub-divided themselves into boards, a cen- tral one meeting at the Mayor's office, another at the Commissioners' Hall, in the Northern Liberties, and a third at the Commissioners' Hall in Southwark; cach board undertaking to direct the distribution within its allotted sphere.

The reports made by some of the committees of col- lection, very soon justified effective measures to supply the poor with the essential article of fuel. To that pur- pose the most vigorous and continued efforts were di- rected, and it is confidently believed, that notwithstand- ing the embarrassments and impositions incident to the haste of the emergency, an unprecedented and unex- pected measure of relief has been afforded. At least four thousand of our fellow creatures have felt the bene- ficent effects of this public bounty, have been rescued from the wretchedness of extreme cold, or have been enabled to apply to the cravings of hunger their small carnings, which must otherwise have been inef- fectually expended in struggles to preserve the warmth of life.

A slight moderation in the weather encouraged an appropriation of a portion of the fund to other modes of relief. Sums of money were placed at the disposal of each committee of collection, with authority to adminis- ter aid within their respective ranges in the form of cash, food, or clothing, as might be deemed most expedient. The reports made as to the disposition of these monies have been entirely satisfactory, and were it possible to detail them here, would in themselves amply repay the generous for all their contributions so disinterestedly advanced. Nothing, indeed, but actual experiment

could show how small a trifle will often be enough to satisfy the wants of the deserving poor, will reanimate their exhausted spirits, and kindle afresh the hope which prompts to industry and converts despair into pa- tience.

The total amount of contributions deposited in the hands of the treasurer appointed at the town meeting for the purpose of this committee, is nine thousand se- ven hundred and seventy-nine dollars and twenty-six cents. And as it may be interesting to our constituents to know whence this large fund, raised in the course of a few days, has been drawn, the following statement is submitted.

CITY.

High Street Ward

$930 45

Middle

746 48

Chesnut

895 95

Walnut

612 26

Locust

689 89

Dock

621 12

South

579 33

North

579 32

Pine

402 37

Lower Delaware

363 04

Upper Delaware

250 85

North Mulberry

320 00

South Mulberry

177 95

New Market

332 22

Cedar

104 21

Total

$7605 97

NORTHERN LIBERTIES.

First Ward

$229 61

Second .

133 91

Third

127 25

Fourth

85 14

Fifth

146 57

Sixth

38 43

Seventh

74 03

Kensington

263 73

Penn Township

265 00

Total

$1363 67

SOUTHWARK

$431 50

Private sources

$378 12

TOTALS.

City -

$7605 97

N. Liberties, Kensington, and P. Township 1363 67 Southwark 431 50 1

Private sources

378 12

$9779 26

Of this sum of nine thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine dollars and twenty-six cents, the principal part, to wit, $6820 43, has been expended in purchasing and delivering at the homes of the needy, in quarters or eighths, eight hundred and eighty-nine cords of wood. Obstacles and vexations of many kinds, accompanied this branch of the operation-the desire to be as speedy as the occasion was peremptory, precluding an exercise of the same care and caution which in ordinary times would have been indispensable. Some unfaithful laborers engag- ed in transportation, may possibly have misapplied what was confided to them: some few crafty contrivances may have filched for the uses of the unworthy undue propor- tions of a hoard designed for the destitute and deserving: these are the effects which the committee do not pro- fess to have been able, under the peculiar circumstances, wholly to avoid. Had they paused to deliberate upon and perfectly to mature an unerring plan, the critical moment might have passed, calamity might have over- taken thousands, and the main object-immediate re- lief-would have been defeated.

Another portion of the fund, the sum of eleven hun- dred and thirty three dollars, was appropriated to .

231

ALIEN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

1829.]

granting miscellaneous supplies, through the instru- mentality of the committees of collection, or of particu- lar individuals. In this course there was no danger of imposition, and every certainty of just application. Personal scrutiny was had into cach case claiming atten- tion, and the specific want promptly provided for.

Another portion of the fund, the sum of one thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars, has been divided among seven charitable institutions of our city and county, through the active agency of whose members, specially instructed by resolutions from this committee, the intention of our constituents were to a certain ex- tent, best effected. These institutions are the Provident Society-The Female Hospitable Society for relieving and employing the Poor-The Female Association for the relief of reduced women and children-The Female Society for the relief and employment of the poor-The Southern Dorcas Society -- The Dorcas Society of the District of Southwark-and the Female Association for the relief of sick and infirm poor.

A small portion of the fund, the sum of sixty dollars and eighty-three cents, has defrayed the contingent ex- penses necessarily attendant upon the business trans- acted; and the residue, to wit, one hundred and ninety dollars, has been apportioned equally for distribution to the necessitous poor in the Northern Liberties and the District of Southwark.

In fulfilling their laborious trust, the committee have benefitted by the proffered co-operation of many of their fellow citizens, whose names and services they would take pleasure in recording, were they not fearful of offending the delicacy invariably associated with pure and practical charity. An unaffected and inde- fatigable zeal has indeed characterized the community at large, displaying itself in every variety of action which could tend to alleviate a greater extent of misfor- tune and want than has heretofore been imagined to ex- ist in our population. The keen and prolonged severity of the season aroused the anxieties and energies of be- nevolence; and it is believed that the good effected has exceeded all reasonable anticipation.

THOS. P. COPE, Chairman. Philadelphia, 23d March, 1829.

ALIEN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

The committee to whom were referred the petition of sundry freeholders of Butler county, and testimony taken according to law, against Hugh Lee, Esq. who has acted as Justice of the Peace of Butler county, REPORT,

That they have carefully examined all the testimony submitted to them, and that there is no proof or even allegation of official misconduct against Hugh Lee, Esq. The single point to which the testimony goes, and to which the examination of your committee was confined, is, that Hugh Lee is now and was at the time of his ap- pointment by the Governor, an Alien.

Your committee regret that the testimony taken is not more clear and explicit, but are of opinion from the testimony before us, that the point is established, and that Hugh Lee was at the time he was commissioned by the Governor an Alien, and being such the right to ex- ercise the office could not vest in him. Hugh Lec was commissioned a Justice of the Peace on the 26th Sep- tember, 1808, and it is contended on his behalf, that as he has been in the unimpeached possession of the right to exercise the office of Justice of the Peace for twenty years" -- that this right ought not to be inquired into after the lapse of time. Your committee are of opinion, that, as Hugh Lee was an alien, he is not of that descrip- tion of persons who under the constitution and laws of this commonwealth, could be legally appointed to act as Justice of the l'eace. His commission being void, no lapse of time could impart validity to it, or protect him in the enjoyment of a pretended right which could never vest.

It has been further contended, that under the provi-

sions of the act of "14th January, 1804," the authority is not given of taking testimony against "Justices of the Peace," except for official misconduct. The terms of the aforesaid act appear to be general, that, " on com- plaint made in writing, signed by at least 20 taxable in- habitants of any township or county, against any Justice of the peace, residing therein, any judge of the Su- preme Court or the Court of Common Pleas, is autho- rised to issue his process to any constable," &c. Your committee are, therefore, of opinion, that we were, bound to act upon the testimony referred to us, and to report to the House the opinion which your committee has formed from it. Whether the Legislature will be dis- posed to remove Hugh Lee, who is a justice of the peace de facto, when there is no allegation of official misconduct against him, is a question of importance, the decision of which your committee leave with this honourable body. Your committee beg leave to offer the following reso- lution,

Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. Which was laid on the table. [Referred to the next legislature. ]

PENNSYLVANIA CANAL. House of Representatives, March 28. REPORT.

"The canal commissioners of Pennsylvania in obe- dience to a resolution of the House of Representatives, directing them to report "to what extent the several lines of canal have been injured by the floods and ice of the present spring, and what will be the probable cost of repairing the same," respectfully submit.

That the first act of the board at the present session was to institute an inquiry upon the interesting subject referred to in this resolution. They required of each officer of the board present, in Harrisburg, a report as to the amount of damage done, so far as it fell within his observation. Such reports in regard to the lines of canal along the Allegheny, Kiskeminetas, Conemaugh, Juniata, Susquchanna, North Branch, West Branch, French creek feeder, and Delaware, have been received, and annexed hereto.

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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 63

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