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. XII > Part 91
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The amount furnished as above mentioned, was charged on, and paid out , f, the fund collected by au- thority of the Town Meeting. As that fund must, by repeated draughts on it, be ere long exhausted, it be- comes highly important to take efficient measures to provide other sources.
One of the principal objects cherished by the Associ- ation, is the providing suitable employment for the poor. Of the great superiority of this method of relief over pecuniary donations, in promoting the health and personal comfort, as well as the moral and intellectual benefit of the poor, it is unnecessary here to enlarge. Public opinion is, perhaps, at this day at rest upon the point; and whatever objections may in theory be urged against providing work, instead of compeling every man unaided to seek it for himself, still experience shows that employment cannot, even in this country, where labor is comparatively high, be always command- ed by the well disposed and industrious poor.
Several interesting cases are recorded in the ladies' reports, of the beneficial effects resulting from furnish- ing employment to the poor. It is a mode of relief which the Executive Board have much at heart. Their chief difficulty in the formation of any system on this subject, arises from deficiency of funds. A committee of five was appointed, in December last, to consider the best means of furnishing employment to the poor. That committee have made progress in the duties con- fided to them; but the subject being one of great ex- tent and importance, and requiring much deliberation, they have as yet made no final report.
In consequence of a representation made by the Vi- siting Committee of District No. 12, the Executive | Board, on the 24th of December last, appropriated six-
317
UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
1833.]
ty dollars as a loan to that District, for purchasing ma- terials and furnishing employment. Much good has been found to result from this mode of assisting honest indigence, which stimulates industry, and incites to in- dependence. The ladies' reports mention frequent instances of the beneficial results of this excellent spe- cies of charity. As a proof of the judicious manner in which they were applied, the loans, in most instances, are stated to.have been punctually repaid.
But the most prominent feature in the scheme of the Association, is the moral influence it aims to exert ou the lives and habits of the poor. It is a fact too well ascertained to admit of dispute, and too generally ad- mitted to require illustration, that the great source of pauperism lies in the evil passions of our nature. By far the greater part of the poor in all countries consist of those whom vice has impoverished. It is computed that from three-fourths to nine- tenths of the paupers of this country are the victims of intemperance. The nu- merous licensed and unlicensed dram shops, and the great facilities of obtaining intoxicating liquors in our own community, render intemperance the prolific cause of pauperism. The Reports of the Ladies' Visiting Committees fearfully attest the truth of these state- ments. It must be obvious, therefore, to every reflect- ing observer, that any system of relief which is not hing- ed on the diffusion of virtue and good morals among the poor, however it may afford temporary alleviation, can yet effect no radical improvement in their condition The best, the most certain of all charities, is sound, mo- ral education This is the cardinal object of our Asso- ciation. To inculcate on every individual visited, the importance of industry, frugality, cleanliness, and tem- perance-to encourage the disconsolate-to inspire independence and self respect-to elevate the tone of moral feeling-to imprint on the minds of the young the early lessons of duty-in short, to exercise a parental guardianship over the poor-these are the principal duties of our Association. They are arduous, requiring indefatigable zeal, energy, and perseverence. Division and concentration of labor are all-essential to success. The organization of the institution which divides the city proper into twelve districts, the Northern Liberties into four districts, (Moyamensing forming a separate district, ) and these districts into sections, under the care of a competent number of visiters of both sexes, has been found to work well.
The visitors have frequent intercourse with the poor. It is their special duty on these occasions to give them counsel on their domestic economy-to inculcate the necess ty of sobriety and prudent thrift-to encourage weekly deposits for rent, and deposits for fuel-to make themselves considered as friends rather than as moni- tors. They are, moreover, carefully to guard against imposition, which indeed can rarely be successfully practised under a system of inspection so close and constant.
The Reports of the Ladies' Branch, upon whom principally devolves the duty of visiting, and who have discharged that duty with a fidelity which merits the highest commendation, exhibit satisfactory results.
It appears from these reports, that during the quarter terminating January 12, 1833, 795 families were under care-197 children were placed at school-23 placed at service-2 sent to the Wharton House-1 to the Orphan's Asylum-1 to the House of Refuge. $885 10 | were, during the same period, deposited for fuel.
That during the quarter ending April 16, 1833, 1742 visits were paid-85 children placed at school-15 at infant school-23 at service.
That during the last quarter, 1398 visits were paid- 41 children placed at school-9 at infant school-3 at service-$25 92 deposited for fuel.
The number of families visited, as well as of deposits, probably much exceeds the statement here given, the reports from some sections being entirely silent-in others very deficient on these points. The Executive
Board, deeming accurate statistical information on all subjects within their cognizance of great importance, beg leave to recommend to the Visiting Committees the propriety of particular details.
The Report for January last states that "a flourishing school has been opened in District No. 7, for colored females, which is taught in the afternoon of the first day of the week, by the Visiters, to whose care it is confided."
The same Report tells us of 50 scholars in the school in District No. 10, located in Schuylkill Front, above Arch street, opened in September last. The whole expense of the school is estimated at $175 per annum, but the want of sufficient funds renders doubtful its further continuance.
The school in the 12th District was publicly examin- ed on the 29th of December last; 94 children were present. The number of scholars at the date of the January Report, is represented as increased to 110. "The whole appearance of the children," say the Visit- ers, "is changed-tattered, filthy, and in a state of hea- thenism when first introduced into the school, they are now, for the most part, cleanly, decent in their attire, and reduced to civilization."
It is gratifying to learn from the April Report, that the roll book of the school then contained 150 names. With a zeal that cannot be too warmly commended, the teacher opened an evening school for adults and such of the children as are employed in the factories during the day. On the opening of the school, 30 attended, on the second evening 50, and such is said to have been the eagerness to learn, that previously to the com- mencement of the school, many of them attended at the school room during the interval of work, to receive instruction.
Thus there is every reason to anticipate that the la- bors of the Association, directed to that quarter from which success is with most reason to be looked for, the education of the young, will be crowned with happy results. From persons of maturer years, in whom the tyranny of vicious habits is firmly established, less is certainly to be expected. Nevertheless the instances of reform through the influence of regular visiting, re- corded in the Ladies' Reports, present many incentives to renewed and vigorous exertion.
The visiters of District No. 1, speak of a man whose "habits of intemperance were so confirmed. as to take away entirely the inclination to support his family;" who had "for the last three months paid his rent; the cause of this unusual and unexpected exertion was at- tributed by his wife to the influence of one of the visit- ers."*
Another instance is recorded in the same district, of an individual formerly addicted to intemperance : "It is with pleasure," says the report, "we are able to say his conduct continues satisfactory."+
Another man in the same district, "who formerly supported his family by begging, says that the Union Benevolent Association has ruined him."+
Two other men, in the 8th and 11th districts, "who were victims of intemperance, "are said to "have reform- ed so far as to attend places of worship, and behave with propriety at home."§
Other cases are related of individuals rescued from the degrading thraldom of intemperance, and of fami- lies induced to attend places of worship, through the benevolent labors of the visiters.
The visiters of the 6th section of the 8th district, in reference to the general character of the poor, say "they perceive a decided improvement of those fami- lics which they have regularly visited since the forma. tion of our society."|
"Improvement," says another report, "is perceptible in many families."
The efforts of the visiters to prevail on the poor to
* January Report. ¡ April Report. #Ib. $Ib. [Ib.
318
UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
[ NOVEMBER
deposit a portion of their earnings for the procurement of fuel, have not been unavailing.
In reply to the query: what had been the increase of deposits in the Fuel Savings Society in consequence of the efforts of the Union Benevolent Association? The' Treasurer of that Society states that the deposits had been advanced, from that cause, from "a thousand to fifteen hundred dollars, say about midway between the two sums."
The discouragement of street begging is intimately connected with the scheme of the Association. In the accomplishment of this desirable object, the Agency or Reference Office is a principal instrument. From the statement of our Agent, whose capacity and fitness for his station are on all hands admitted, it appears that during the last year 200 whites and 100 colored females have obtained employment through the instrumentality of the office-that places have been supplied to 50 white and 20 colored boys, and to 13 white and 10 co- lored children-that 85 applications have been made by white male adults, some of whom have obtained employment-and that of 40 colored male adult appli- cants, employment has been supplied to 30.
In addition to these duties, the Agent has been em- ployed in visiting those sections of the city and suburbs which are not supplied with female visiters, and such places as it is not convenient for ladies to visit. By a recent regulation of the Board, the Reference Office will, for the future, be closed during the morning hours, which will be devoted by the Agent to visiting among the poor, obtaining information relative to employmen', and attending to such other duties as may be required by the lady visiters. The office will remain open as heretofore during the afternoon hours. This arrange- ment, it is thought, will enlarge the usefulness of the Agent, and be productive of much advantage.
An Agency Office is deemed, by the Executive Board, as highly important, if not essential to the successful management of the Association. It forms a depot of knowledge touching the various objects of our labors- a central point of reference, where the visiters may ob- tain aid and information-and the poor advice, assist- ance, and employment. The Agent is the known re- presentative of the whole body-ever at hand to apply his services where they may be required. He is, more- over, an organ of communication and of union between the two branches of the Association.
The continuance of the Agency under its present establishment is the subject of anxious consideration with the Board.
The expenses of the institution, including the Agent's salary, office rent, and other incidental expenses, may be estimated at one thousand dollars. By an arrange- ment recently made with the present Agent, William E. Sherman, his services have been obtained for six months after the expiration of the present quarter, at the reduced rate of six hundred dollars per annum.
Early in the last fall, the necessity of taking measures to increase the funds of the Association, pressed itself upon the attention of the Board. Committees were ap- pointed to obtain life and annual subscriptions. The funds procured by this means have been already ex- hausted. The. Report of the Treasurer, herewith sub- mitted, exhibits a balance against the Society.
The Executive Board do not wish to disguise the fact, that without more efficient pecuniary aid than has hith- erto been given to the Association, it will be impossible to maintain the Agency Department on its present foot- ing. This is a necessity which they sincerely deprecate. They have entire confidence in their present agent -- they are firmly convinced of the utility of the office. They feel that no effort ought to be spared, no means left unemployed to sustain it.
Under these circumstances, their only resource is in the liberality of an enlightened public-a resource to which charity has seldom appealed in vain.
And your Board are of opinion that when the princi-
ples and mode of relief administered by this Association are rightly understood, and the results which have al- ready attended its infant efforts are duly examined, that appeal will not now be ineffectual. It is a subject in which every member of this community is deeply inter- ested. Pauperism is an evil attendant on dense popu- lation. Though we may not expect to exterminate it, much may and ought to be done to alleviate its miseries. Experience testifies that a competent system of relief is one of the most difficult problems in the science of pub- lic economy. Much light has of late years been shed on this important subject. The public mind is awake to it. Three millions of dollars have, during the last twen- ty-five years, have been paid in the way of poor tax in the city and county of Philadelphia. The reduction of this vast expenditure can only be looked for by render- ing the subsistence of the poor dependant, as far as practicable, on their own exertions, and by the general diffusion of morals and education. These are the lead- ing principles of the Union Benevolent Association. If efficiently supported, they cannot fail to operate a silent but steady improvement on a large and important class of society. Deeply impressed with this conviction, the Executive Board confidently trust that neither a want of zeal among its members, nor of fostering encourage- ment from the public, will give an untimely check to the labours of your Association.
All which is respectfully submitted. THOMAS C. JAMES, President.
Attested-P. M'CALL, R. S. October, 1833.
The Union Benevolent Association in account with Fre- deric Fruley, Treasurer. DR.
1832.
Oct. 17. To balance due the Treasurer, $61 55
1833.
Oct. 15. To cash paid as follows:
For Agent's salary,
800 00
For rent of Office,
67 50
For Printing, Stationary, Fuel, &c. 135 21
1002 71
1064 26
CONTRA, CR.
By cash received for sub- scriptions and donations, 762 86
By cash received from Am- . brose White, Executor of the Estate of Thomas Montgomery, as a dona- tion, 200 00
962 -86
Balance due the Treasurer,
$101 40
Errors excepted. F. FRALEY, Treasurer.
Philadelphia, October 15, 1833.
Frederick Fraley, Treasurer of the Union Benevolent Association for Town Meeting Fund.
1852. Oct. 17. To balance in his hands, $1037 67
CONTRA, CR.
Dec. 31. By Cash paid for District
No. 12,
$60 00
1833. Feb. 4. By cash paid to W. E.Sher- man, 50 00
Feb. 26. By cash paid to Ladies'
Central Board,
100 00
May 30. By cash paid to W.E. Sher- man, 13 91
319
RAIL ROAD ACCIDENT .- EXPLANATION.
1833]
Oct. 14. By cash paid to Ladies' Central Board, 100 00
323 91
Balance in the hands of Treasurer, $713 76
Errors excepted.
F. FRALEY, Treasurer.
Philadelphia, October 15, 1833.
DREADFUL ACCIDENT.
A fatal accident happened yesterday (Nov. 8, ) on the Camden and Amboy Rail Road The train of Cars bound for Philadelphia, had advanced about half way between Spotswood and Hightstown, when the axle of | a sufficient number of locomotives to carry the passen- one of the cars gave way; from what cause, does not gers, were completed and on the line. the horses were continued notwithstanding the importanity of the public for the change. The most unfounded reports as to the capacity of the road for the use of this species of power, were circulated and believed from this delay. During all this period however, the engines were constantly in use, when the line was free from the passenger cars, in transporting merchandize and materials on the road. seem sufficiently explained. It was either broken by the pressure upon it, or as some of the passengers think, the heat produced by the rapid motion, had burnt away the material in which it was secured. The car fell on one side, and was immediately knocked off the road by the momentum of the succeeding car. As the speed at this time was more than twenty miles an hour, the En- gineer was unable to stop his locomotive until the fallen car, with its contents, had been dragged about forty yards.
The scene which presented itself to the passengers is said to have been shocking beyond measure. Of twenty-four persons in the carriage, twelve were seri- ously injured, and all were in some degree bruised or stunned. One gentlemen, Mr. Stedman of North Ca- rolina, was so crushed that he expired in a few minutes. One other gentleman had both his legs fractured. Captain Vanderbilt, formerly of the New Brunswick steamboat, was severely injured in the back. Among the wounded are several females-one of them, Mrs. Bartlett, of Washington City, had her arm fractured in three places-and a child, dangerously, expected to die before morning. Mr. Dreyfous of this city, is among those injured, but we are happy to say not dangerous- ly.
The unfortunate gentleman who lost his life on this occasion, retained his senses to the last, and met his fate with perfect calmness and resignation. He expres- sed a wish to die in Philadelphia; and gave brief direc- tions in reference to his family, and for the d sposition of his property.
We trust the public will be furnished as early as pos- sible, with an accurate explanation of the cause of this melancholy disaster. The statement above given is derived from several intelligent passengers, with whom he had an opportunity of conversing .- Commercial Herald.
RATE ROAD ACCIDENT .- We have learned the follow- ing particulars in relation to this accident, since the pub- lication of our Saturday's paper: The Car that was overturned, was not the one whose axle was broken, but the one immediately in its rear. Among the pas- sengers injured, in addition to Mr. J. C. Stedman, kil- led, were Miss Whitehead, of Newport, R. I. one arm broken, and otherwise much bruised; Mrs. Barlett, wife of Lieut. Bartlett, Washington City, badly bruised, and her infant very dangerously; Mr. Wells, of Leba- non, Pa. who had both legs and both arms broken; Rev. J. West, of Newport, R. I. one leg broken, and considerably injured on one shoulder; Mr.King, also of Newport, severely hurt on the back and head; Mr. Charless, of St. Louis, Mo., thigh very much injured; Dr. - , of Phillipsburg, Pa., two ribs broken, head and arm injured-and after tying his handkerchief round his body, he directed all his attention to liis fel- low sufferers; Mr. Dreyfous, of this City, slight injury on the head and back.
Com. Herald.
RAIL ROAD ACCIDENT .- EXPLANATION. Address of the Camden and Amboy Rail Road and Transportation Company.
TO THE PUBLIC.
The unfortunate accident which occurred on the road on Friday last, and the melancholy consequences resulting from it, have occupied the most serious atten- tion of the Executive committee of the Board of Direc- tors. Every exertion has been made to obtain a correct statement of all the facts that they might be disclosed to the public.
The security of the passengers from the commence- ment of the operations of this company, has been an oty- ject of the first consideration. For several weeks after
The Directors preferred the odium attached to their delay to the risque attending the substitution of the en- gines until the engineers had become familiar with their use. They were then placed on one line only, that they might be under the immediate superintendance of confidential agents of the Company. Positive instruc- tions were given that the trip [35 miles] should not be made in less than two hours and a quarter; allowing two hours, or a speed of seventeen and a half miles per hour, for the actual running of the engine, and fifteen minutes for the necessary stoppages. Special instruc- tions were also given that no one mile should be ron in less than three minutes. To ensure a compliance with these orders, an agent was placed on each line, whose special and only duty is to take the time of running eacht and every mile. with a stop watch, for the government of the engineer, and to note down the same, and report it to the Executive Committee. From the commence- ment these reports have evinced so nearly a compliance with the orders as to be entirely satisfactory. From a careful inspection of the reports of the week immedi- ately preceding the accident, it is discovered that the time actually occupied in running, shews an average rate of eighteen miles per hour, and the fastest trip was at the rate of 19 miles. Unfortunately the time keeper of this line had sustained a slight injury from a fall a day or two previous, and was not then on the line. As the engineers had become so well regulated in their time, it was deemed unnecessary to procure another agent to fill this temporary vacancy.
Had this officer been at his post, the first subject of inquiry, to wit: the rate at which the cars were run- ning, would have been attended with no difficulty. From the excitement naturally produced by the disas- ter, it has been found impracticable to obtain'accurate information on this subject. The committee are led to the conclusion, however, that a short time before the occurrence of the accident, the speed of the engine had considerably exceeded the rate allowed, but that at the time and immediately before, this was not the case. This opinion is induced by the following facts.
There were two trains of cars attached to separate en- gines. The accident happened to the last train. The first engine is the least powerful on the line. The engineer is positive that so far from being in advance of, he was behind his time. He moreover states that from inad- vertence his fire had got down, and his steam was so low as to render it difficult to maintain his proper speed at that point, as the road there ascends. The commit- tee are satisfied that the orders had not been material- ly violated as to the whole time of running the dis- tance.
But it appears that owing to some trifling derange-
320
MISCELLANEOUS.
[NOVEMBER
ment of the second engine, the engineer, about three miles before, had reduced his speed to adjust it. Af- ter doing so, he states that to recover his proper sta- tion he increased his speed, but not in his opinion ex- ceeding his limited rate. In this he was probably mistaken. But before the accident occurred he had checked the engine by shutting off a considerable por- tion of the steam, and is positive that he was not then running faster than the train in advance. This decla- ration is strongly corroborated by the fact, that one of the agents accompanying the line was on the top of the car which upset, and jumped from it to the ground without injury, when he discovered that it was going over From the place where he alighted to that where the car rested after the train was stopped, is not quite 21 yards.
The accident has also been attributed to the heating of the axle from friction for want of oil. It is under- stood that some of the passengers are under the im- pression that they saw smoke from this cause. This is clearly a mistake, The axles were examined at Spottswood, (not eight miles distant,) by the agent whose duty it is to do so, and found perfectly cool and well supplied with oil. The appearance of the fracture is entirely inconsistent with this idea, and the quantity of oil still adhering to both the journal and box is conclusive, as that would have been entirely consumed by the lieat.
These matters have been adverted to particularly, because the accident has been attributed to them, and the committee have felt bound to afford every informa- tion on the subject. They are convinced, however, that it is to be traced to other causes which could neith er have been foreseen nor prevented, and that the fatal consequences were produced by a combination of cir- cumstances that have never before occurred, and in all human probability will never again occur.
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