The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-01-25

~ and tercrs,G1co n the roor tbanealra-
would dictate tie abolition of our pauper sys
tenn and that The health. and comfort. and yir-
tue, OF ninc-tenths of them, would be promoted.
were they required TO abandon an hone Of relief
from the public, and 10 rely solely mon .heir
own exertions, aud to abstain from the use of ar
dent spirits, and to iorego every extravaganza.
and 70 become sober, Industrious. and econolni-
cal. Were they left 10 this alternative, the
Managers are bold 10 express the belief. that in
the compass OF given period of wears, there
would be far less OF wretchedncss aud vice a.
Inong them, than there would be in like peri
cd, upon the present system. There can be lit
tie hazard in asserting that, in respect to their
morals, health, and comfort, il were best for all.
excepting those whom we cali involuntary pau
pers, TO be obliged to depend entirely upon their
own industry and that if they were placed up
on this footing, the time would not be long before
they would cease to need relief, and, as a race
become extinct.
Treating Of the origin and progress Of the present
public economy Of New York in the matter Of pauper
ism, they make the following observations, which de-
serve TO be repeated, the more as they are applicable
TO other American cities.
" It's apparent, from the nature OF the meas
urcs taken, how the circumstances which led TO
the first public and conventional proceedings for
the support of paupers, woul. continue TO en-
lorce thelr application, and give them perpetu-
~. III IS III the nature Of this system to become
every year more necessary; TO. fix itself moro
hrmly IN the habits and constitution of society
10 increase the numbers and strengthen the
Claims 81 those supported; and, in the end by
diminishing their socitude about themselves,
and rendering them more helpless and more
miserable, TO sanctify the evil az in unavoidable
and natural calamity, and TO induce submission
to all its odous and oppressive consequences.
lhIs IS manifest from the exper ienCe of this CITY
the record of IFS past expenditures tie fact, that
IN The course OF last winter, according 10 the
Report OF this Society, about tl0elUe thousand in
dyiduais received the benefit of charitable assist
ance and the fact, that the expense, however
enormous, and the progress of the evil, however
alarming, 50 tar from raising any general emo
ton OF concern, scarcely attract the slightest at
tentlon from the public. Ii seems TO be the only
subject about which, in this CITY, neither hore
nor tear can he excited the only one, of any
Pecuniary consequence, about which there is
total apathy the only one respecting which
those who own property and pay taxes, are con-
tent to think tley have nothing else 10 do but to
pay whatever is demanded"
What from the irksomencss of an invcstiga-
ton oil the subject, tire popular applause of so
generous and 50 ample provision for the sup
port OF all who are in want, the efFeminate no.
ton about pauPerisIn being one of the conditions
OF social existence, and the gratuitous presump-
ion that no efectHal measures can he taken TO
remove 1t, there is an impression upon the public
mind which has the effect OF conscious helpless
ness and imbecility, and which makes blind
endurance OF tue existing evil less painful than
the effort which might be necessary 10 subvert
II, and on account of which those who would pre-
scribe the requisite exertion are considered the
orIsts and Missionaries -
The managers OF the society find as on al former &C.
casions that the of spurious liquors is one Of the
most abundant sources fpauperism. They represent
the number Of retail shops, in New-York at which IL
quor is sold 10 be 7100, Of which 1900 are licensed
And that many of those shops supported BY sales
TO those persons, who themselves supported by the
pubic and that probably, upon average, where the
city treasury gets s. for the license Of grocery shop
pays away $1,000 in consequence Of the nuisance so
created.