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. IX > Part 79
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" Resolved, that this meeting agree in opinion
with the said Association, that at this time of peculiar af- fliction from sickness and the severity of the season, it is proper to make an appeal, in behalf of the poor, to the benevolence of the community :-- that they believe, that owing to the organization of this Society, and through their committees, relief can be administered to the suffering with greater judgment and effect than through any other channel: And that for this purpose it is proper that committees to make collections be ap- pointed in the different wards and districts of the city and county :- and that the means thus collected be paid to the Treasurer of said Association, to be distributed under their direction."
To superintend the distribution of the funds raised in accordance with this resolution, the present committee was immediately appointed by the executive board of the association, and entered upon the discharge of its duties without delay.
In distributing the funds committed to its charge, the committee has endeavoured with all possible care to apply them in such a manner as most effectually to relieve the existing distress, and at the same time to further the objects of the association, by placing within the reach of the poor the means of obtaining, in future, their own support, through habits of industry, frugality and temperance.
In the fulfilment of these duties, the committee has received the most efficient aid from the several commit- tees of the Ladies' Branch of the association. It is in- deed by their zealous co-operation, that it has been en- abled fully to redeem the pledge given to the public, that no portion of the funds committed to the care of the society, should be distributed until after a person- al inquiry into the character and situation of those. for whose use they were intended. In this manner the committee has been enabled more generally to prevent imposture, and to produce with the expenditure of a small sum, a more extensive, and they have reason to believe, permanent amount of good, than could other- wise have been done.
The whole amount that has been paid into the hands of the treasurer of the association, who is, also, the treasurer of this fund, by the several collectors appoint- ed by the town meeting, is $4196 98;of this $2, 053 64 was received previously to the 23d of January, $621 36 between the 23d and 30th, and the remainder at differ- ent periods subsequently.
Your committee having ascertained from the visitors of the society, that the greatest amount of suffering among the poor, and that which they had it least with- "in their power to relieve, was produced by the deficien- cy and high price of fuel, accordingly purchased without delay, one hundred cords of oak wood, which were dis- tributed by the visitors of the respective districts, in portions not exceeding one quarter of a cord, to such families as were found to stand most in need of it. The hauling and sawing were in all instances contracted for by the committee, so that the wood might be delivered free of all expense to the poor. Subsequently, other purchases of wood were made, amounting altogether to 167₺ cords. The whole amount of wood, therefore, purchased by the committee for distribution among the poor is two hundred and sixty-seven and a half cords. Five tons of coal were likewise received as a donation, a part of which was distributed to such poor families as were found to possess conveniences for burning it. In some few instances the visiting committees found that the best means of extending relief, was to sell to such fami- lies as stood in need of it, a portion of wood at a low price, and to appropriate the money thus obtained to others whose circumstances were less favorable.
To supply such as stood in need of it with food, $25 were appropriated to the northern, and the like sum to the southern soup houses, by the managers of which, tickets for soup were issued to persons recommended to these institutions by the visitors of the society. Rooms were also opened in several of the districts where cold
1832.]
REPORT OF THE DELAWARE AND IIUDSON CANAL COMPANY.
279
victuals, collected from such families as were able and willing to furnish it, after being suitably prepared, was distributed to the poor who called for it. In this man- ner, at a trifling expense, a large number were supplied with wholesome and palatable food, who must other- wise have suffered from hunger.
Various small sums of money amounting altogether to $1000, were placed at the disposal of the visiting committees of the Ladies' branch of the association, to be by them appropriated in such manner as they should deem best adapted to relieve the immediate necessities of the poor within their respective districts. The com- mittee cannot speak in too high terms of the prudence and judgment which the Ladies have exhibited in the distribution of the funds thus placed in their hands.
In one or more districts, to relieve the existing dis- tress, in certain cases, little more was found to be ne- cessary than to redeem articles essential to comfort which had been pawned for a trifling sum; with the un- derstanding, however, that the individuals for whom the articles were redeemed should re-pay the visitors, at their convenience, the amount for which they bad been pledged.
In order to show the fidelity with which the trust con- fided to the society by the public has been fulfilled, it is proper to remark, that so far as detailed reports have been obtained, the number of families which have been visited by the ladies' committees alone amount to 2669; to 1068 of which relief has been extended, independent of which, for 61 adults permanent employment has been obtained; 28 adults have been placed at school; for 50 children situations have been procured in respect- able families; 501 have been entered at school, and 106 individuals induced to make deposits in the Fuel Saving Society. From several sections no reports have as yet been received, and in some of those that have been furnished, details are omitted.
Notwithstanding the great amount of suffering and want to which relief has been afforded by this commit- tec-notwithstanding, also, it has been enabled in a far greater number of instances than could have been an- ticipated, to reclaim the pauper from habits of indolence, improvidence and vice, and to place him in a situation where he may become a decent and useful member of the community, yet in consequence of the regular sys- tem by which the committee has endeavoured to direct its operations and the exertions it has invariably made to teach the poor to help themselves, rather than depend upon the public charities; all this has been effected with an expenditure of money far inferior to what has been the case on former occasions. Of the funds collected this year for the relief of the poor, there remains in the hands of the treasurer a balance still of $1008 27 to be appropriated by the society on some future occasion, in accordance with the wishes of those by whom the funds were contributed. The committee have reason, however, to believe, that had the whole amount been collected and paid into the hands ofits treasurer without delay, it might all have been very advantageously cx- pended.
It is proper to observe, that the only expenditure not made directly for the relief of the poor, is the sum of $5 00 paid for printing orders without which it would have been impossible to distribute the wood with any degree of regularity.
The annexed statement of the account of the treasurer will present at one view the manner in which the funds placed in his hands have been disposed of.
PHILIP GARRETT, A. M. BUCKLEY, D. FItANCIS CONDIE, C. S. WURTS, MARMADUKE C. COPE, FREDERICK FRALEY.
Philadelphia, April 12, 1832.
THE COMMITTEE OF SUPERINTENDENCE IN ACCOUNT WITH F. FRALEY, TREASURER.
Da.
April 30, 1832 .- To Cash paid sundry Orders of the Committee, for distribution by the Visitors of the Society, in the City, Nor- thern Liberties, and Moyamensing 1000 00
To Cash paid sundry Orders of the Com- mittee for 267₺ cords of Wood, and the Expense of Hauling and Sawing the · same. 2159 71
To Cash paid for Printing 2000 Orders for the delivery of Wood. 5 00
To Cash paid Northern and Southern Soup Ilouses. 50 00
To Balance in the hands of the Treasurer. 1008 27
$4222 98
CONTNA CR.
April 30, 1832 .- By Cash from the Treasurer of the Union Benevolent Association, be- ing the amount placed in his hands by the Collecting Committees. 4196 98
By Cash for 3} Tons of Coal, sold, being the balance of a Donation of 5 Tons. 26 00
$4222 98
May 1 .- By Balance remaining in the hands of the Treasurer, this day subject to the payment of some small bills, estimated to amount to $20 51008 27
Errors excepted.
F. FRALEY, Treasurer.
PHILADELPHIA, May 1, 1832.
REPORT
Of the Board of Managers of the DELAWARE AND HUDSON CANAL COMPANY, to the Stockholders, March 6, 1832.
In presenting an exhibit of the affairs of the company, it is alike the disposition and duty of the board, to place the condition and prospects of the institution, distinct- ly and candidly before the stockholders, so that every one may with confidence, draw his own conclusions, as to the value of the property he holds. The Board believe that there is much in the review of the past, as well as in the anticipation of the ensuing year's busi- ness, to dispel doubt, and confirm the anticipations that have been entertained in relation to the success and prosperity of the institution.
The first and most important object that claimed the attention of the board, in entering on the business of the year, was to borrow, on the credit of the company and a pledge of its property, a sum adequate to the dis- charge of its debts, and the prosecution of its business as a Canal and Coal company, pursuant to authority giv- en at a special meeting of the stockholders on the 23d of March, 1831. Owing to the depressed state of the credit of the company, it was found impracticable to ac- complish this on terms so favourable as the state of the money market at that time would otherwise have justi- ficd the board in expecting. A loan of $320,000 for seven years from the first of April last, at an interest of six per cent. per annum, was, however, finally effected, on which the company received a small premium.
After applying the amount of this loan to the extin- guishment of the debts and liabilities of the company, there still remained a balance of $75,500 against it .-- The company, bowever, had, by estimate, 18,000 tons of coal at various places nf deposit on tide water; he- lieving that, with the facilities which this would furnish. and other available means of the insttution, it would be practicable, successfully to prosecutic the year's busi-
280
REPORT OF THE DELAWARE AND HUDSON CANAL COMPANY.
[MAY
ness, the board deemed it inexpedient, especially on terms so unfavourable, to avail itself of the permission of the stockholders to extend the loan to $400,000; and they have the satisfaction to say, that in this expectation they have not been disappointed. The result of the year's business puts it in the power of the company, to extinguish the whole amount of its debts and liabili- ties, and it will still possess abundant means for the pro- secntion of the business of 1832.
Believing that the best interests of the institution would be promoted by applying all its resources, and devoting the time and efforts of all connected with it, exclusively to the primary object of its incorporation- the coal business-until that should be placed on a firm footing, the board embraced a favorable opportunity that presented, to let, for two years, so much of the banking-house of the company, as was not requisite for its own accommodation. To this step the board felt more strongly inclined, from the fact, that in addition to the general depression and languishing condition of the coal-trade, the company had yet to encounter a conside- rable amount of public prejudice, in relation to the quality of its coal, created by the acknowledged inferior character of the surface coal bronght to this market in 1829. It was believed that much might be done, not only to subdue and dispel the error into which the pub- lic had been very naturally led, by this unfair and nn- fortunate specimen of Lackawana coal, but also to ex- tend and increase the market for anthracite generally --- a matter then indispensable to the prosperity of this, and every other company dependent for success on the con- sumption of this article.
These two objects were therefore deemed of suffici- ent importance to claim, for a time, the exclusive and unremitting attention of the board of officers of the in- stitution : and the better to insure success, a skillful and efficient agent was employed to visit every manufactur- ing establishment in this vicinity in which fuel is used to any considerable extent, and point ont the means of using, and induce a trial of Lackawana coal. The result of these efforts has been gratifying and en- couraging beyond the most sanguine anticipations of the board. The efficiency and economy of this fuel, in the various branches of mannfactures and the mechanic arts, has ceased to be a question; for into most of them, as pursued in the city and county of New York, it has been introduced, by the agent employed by the compa- ny, to the entire satisfaction of the proprietors of these numerous establishments, who frankly admit the prefer- ence to which it is entitled, over the fuel that they had been accustomed to nse.
In generating steam particularly, it is found to have decided advantages; and in connexion with these efforts to increase the consumption on shore, the board have not been insensible to the importance of inducing the use of the coal in steam-boats. In this, (though attend- ed with more difficulty, ) considerable progress has been made; at three of the city ferries on the East, and one on the North River, Lackawana coal has been for some time, and still is used in their boats, with entire success; and at another they are preparing to adopt it as their fuel.
During the summer and fall, it was also used with ad- vantage in two or three steam-boats belonging to this port; and it is understood that the example of these boats will be followed by others that have prepared for it during the winter. Although what has been done, should perhaps be considered rather as an experiment, and susceptible of much improvement, yet the attention of those interested in steam navigation, has been drawn to the subject in such a way, as to warrant the conclu- sion that anthracite coal will ere long become the com- mon fuel of steam-boats.
The board have the satisfaction to know, also, that the prejudice against Lackawana coal, to which allusion has already been made, is fast giving way to a more just appreciation of its value as a fuel for domestic use; and
they entertain no doubt but that its intrinsic excellence will finally give it the same high reputation in this mar- ket which it has uniformly possessed in every other, where it encounters and sustains a successful rivalship" with the several varieties of anthracite coal.
Asa general result it may therefore be stated, that a large portion of the Lackawana coal vended during the past season, was consumed in manufacturing establish- ments and steam-boats. For these purposes it has de- servedly acquired a reputation, that will hereafter insure for it a large market among this numerous class of con- sumers while it is steadily advancing in public favor as a fuel for the house grate. Under these circumstances, the Board say with confidence, that the stockholders may dismiss all apprehension as to a market for their coal; the demand will hereafter keep pace with the supply .*
Operations on the rail-road commenced on the 20th day of March, and continned without intermission, or any accident of sufficient consequence to deserve men- tion, until the fifth of November, during which period 54,328 tons of coal passed over the road. It continues to answer all the anticipations of the board, and justify the opinions of the able engineers under whose super- vision it was constructed.
The canal was opened on the first of May, and contin- ued open until the first of December, when the naviga- tion was unexpectedly terminated by the frost. During this time about 52,578 tons of coal were shipped from Honesdale; of this quantity 51,578 tons reached Ron- dont; the residne was locked up in the ice at Hones- dale, and other points on the canal. The quantity thus thrown into the market might and would have been con- siderably increased, could the board have foreseen in time that there would be a demand for it. But the large stock of anthracite coal in the market in the spring of 1831, (of which this company held about 18,000 tons, ) made consumers indifferent about purchasing early in the season, and rendered it very difficult for the board to decide to what extent sales could be effected. It was deemed most prudent to err on the side of cau- tion, and to permit the supply to fall short of the de- mand than to exceed it. To this principally, and not to any want of capacity in the works of the company for a larger business, is to be attributed the inadequate stock of Lackawana coal during the past season.
Although the canal was subjected to severe tests by storms and high floods, during the spring and fall, yet it sustained comparatively little injury;nor was there any interruption to business on it, except for 3 days in Sep- tember, at the Delaware dam, when a violent storm and the heiglit of the water during that time, rendered it unsafe for boats to cross the river. This fact furnish- es the best commentary on the strength and durability of the work. On both the rail-road and canal, the ex- pense of superintendence and repairs for the year, is within the estimate furnished by the engineers.
1
The amount of tolls received on the canal during the year was $19,324 05: this is less than the sum anticipa- ted by the board, which is, in part at least, to be ac- counted for, by the sudden and unexpected interruption of the navigation by the frost. The tolls upon the rail- road amounted to $1,160 59.
The annexed statement marked No. I. shows, as the result of the coal business for the year, a balance of $40,186 18, in favor of the company, after paying in- terest on loans and all expenses, and a clear profit of $34,183 50, after deducting doubtful debts. The total amount of sales of coal was about 70,000 tons.
To ascertain the profit and loss, it will be perceived
* From the spring of 1830, to the spring of 1831, the total consumption of anthracite coal was abont 127,000 tons. From the spring of 1831, to the spring of 1832, the total consumption may be taken with safety at 228,000, and the market would have borne 20,000 to 30,000 more.
281
REPORT OF THE DELAWARE AND HUDSON CANAL COMPANY.
1832.]
that the board have taken the stock of coal of 1831, as worth what, by the experience of this year, it would have cost the company to put a like quantity in the same places of deposit; and the year's business is credit- ed with the proceeds of sale. It is to be remembered, however, that this stock was(in general estimation at least ) inferior to the coal of 1831; and a considerable portion of it was actually and avowedly sold as second quality Lackawana coal, at a lower price than that obtained for coal mined last season. It may be well to remark also, that a very small portion of the whole quantity of coal included in this statement, was sold at the advanced price. Most of the stock was covered hy orders before the advance took place. " And it is yet more import- ant to a proper appreciation of the statement of the year's business, to observe, that for the purpose of open- ing a market among manufacturers and steam boats, and increasing the consumption of Lackawana coal generally, the board deemed it expedient in the course of the year, to incur heavy expenses, and allow many drawbacks and bounties, amounting in the aggregate f to a considerable sum, but to which the business will not hereafter be subject. Had it been practicable without incurring these expenses, to push the company's sales to the extent to which they have been carried, the ba- lance of profits shown by this statement would have been greater by one-third.
When it is recollected under how many circumstances of depression and perplexity in the state of the coal market, the year's business was commenced, this result ought to be entirely satisfactory to every stockholder, as establishing the ability of the institution to make mo- ney, eveo under the most unpromising aspect of affairs.
While the managers present with great pleasure, a statement showing a clear profit of $34,183 59, on the business of 1831, it will be observed that the previous operations of the company being experimental in their character, comparatively small in amount, and subject to heavy disbursements for interest and expenses, were attended with loss; they do not therefore feel justified in declaring a dividend of profits at this time.
The annexed statement marked No. 2, shows the pre- sent fiscal condition of the institution, upon which the board deem it unnecessary to offer any remark, except to reiterate the opinion already expressed, that the com- pany possesses ample means for the prosecution of its business.
To the exhibit marked No. 3, the stockholders are re- ferred for information as to the amount of capital em- ployed by the company, and the mode of its investment. It is believed that the extent and value of the property represented by this capital will bear a comparison with any similar concern in this country. The canal and rail- road are found, by experience, to have been constructed with an enlightened and liberal economy, which will ren- der the annual expenditure for preservation and repairs comparatively small. The coal lands of the company contain about 3,500 acres, selected at an carly day, in one of the finest coal fields of Pennsylvania. The quantity of coal in them is fully adequate to the sup- ply of any demand that may exist; and in this item of property alone, the company possess an unfailing source of revenue. To the town sites or village plots owned. confidence for a large accession to its means. In three of them, namely, Rondout, Honesdale, and Carbondale, the sales of lots amount to $28,951 82. These sales, however, embrace but a very small portion of the three sites; the steady increase of population and business in- sures a market for the residue at an enhanced price. At Rondout, in addition to sales, leases have been granted on terms that yield an annual rent of $1,592. The fourth site, Port Jarvis, has not increased in value so rapidly as the others. The sales at that place amount
to $950. But the water power which the company there command by means of the Mongaup river, will, at no distant day, render this a position of much import- ance on the canal, and insure a large advance to the company on the purchase money.
In relation to the business of the current year, the board think, that there is much which should increase the confidence of the stockholders in the value of their property. The want of a sufficient market for coal, and the embarrassments of the company, have hitherto been the chief, if not the sole obstacles to its prosper- ity. Neither of these now exist. The company will be enabled to proceed with confidence and energy, in bringing its coal into the market; and the arrangements for so doing, upon an extended scale, and at considera- bly diminished cost, are already made. In the items of mining, canal and rail-road transportation the expense will be 40 to 50 cents a ton less than it cost the compa- ny during the past year. The board contemplate an early resumption and vigorous prosecution of business. Mining operations have been continued during the win- ter as far as was consistent with a judicious and economi- cal application of labor and money to that object. A considerable quantity of coal will have been mined and prepared for transportation to the head of the canal, by the time business is resumed on the rail-road, which will be in the course of a few days. It is gratifying to the board to be able to say, that the quality of the coal continues to improve, as the mines are penetrated; the stock of this year will be found decidedly better than that of 1831.
The canal will be opened at as carly a day as the sea- son will permit, keeping in view the preservation of the work. The flood which in the latter part of January -proved so destructive to property on many of the streams throughout the country, swept the ice with great violence out of the Delaware river. Some injury was thereby done to the apron of the Delaware dam, and the slope wall of the canal at Butler's falls: these, however, will be promptly repaired, at an inconsidera- ble expense, and measures will be taken to guard against a recurrence of a similar event hereafter. In other re- spects, the entire line of the canal escaped injury, and is in good order. The resources and wants of the coun- try through which these improvements pass, are begin- ning to develop themselves. Various manufacturing establishments are about going into operation at different points on the line of the work, and a steady annual in- crease of tolls may be expected. Arrangements have already been made by individuals to pass 3,000,000 fect of lumber over the rail-road. Annexed is a statement marked No. 4, of the articles that have been transport- ed on the canal during the year 1831.
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