The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-14
THE POOR OF NEWARK.

'What Is the real condition OF affairs In Newark,
Mr.. Rodwell ~ asked HERALD representative
yesterday afternoon, addressing the Superinten-
dent OF the City Poor Relief Bureau, who was found
at headquarters. corner Of Mechanic and Mulberry
streets. The answer was that there was more real
want, suffering and destitulion in Newark now
than three fourths Of the people had any idea Of
MORE indeed, than had ever been known in New
ark before. From Mr.. Rodweil and others were
obtained number Of facts and statistics no less
sad than interesting The great majority Of
applicants for assistance are OF q class
heretofore entirely unknown to dispensers Of
charity; respectable mechanics, seamstresses and
persons who would only seek such assistance
when actually driven by poverty and starvation.
Men and women wearing good and sometimes
costly clothing appear daily seeking assistance.
The females frequently are SO bowed with shame
and humiliation that they strive to hide their
features by wearing three or four wells. There arc
now on the books OF the bureau the names OF s. 400
families, recipients Of public charity. The average
number of persons in each family is four, making
about $500 persons, or One-ninth part OF the
entire population OF the cty-say 125, 900. Tho
bureau began operations on December last, and
has been run entirely on voluntary contributions.
Up 70 yesterday there nad been distributed food to
did good service IN 1868, but since mas not been
needed. The number OF families applying for help
week. and the increase continues or the whole
number Of persons who have made application for
assistance only about fty have been discovered %
FRAUDS OR rMposroRs.
One Of these was caught selling for rum the food
he mad Obtained. He was sent TO jail for three
months. The largest number supplied In one day
was 4o7 families, and the smallest 1Ss. Complaint
duty. . Hence - many deserving persons ara
neglected. while others receive assistance that.
ia m a
finally caught. Eight persons applied nom
sent so many families. The result was they were
all cut OH great many persons are out OF EN-
sake Se %
charity Of friends Some factories recently started
work again, but, finding BY experience that there
was no demand for trade, closed up again. or
nearly so. Among the long list OF
SAD AND DISTRESSING CASES
related to the HERALD man yesterday are the fol-
lowing:-A coiored woman in Calumet street
owned a little property, but In vain tried to raise
money on it. She mad an infant in her keeping, an
orphan left by q cOlOred friend, deceased. She
was found on the verge Of starvation, having, with
the child been without food Tor two days and two
chanic. He got out OF work, AS did two men board
Ing with him. He kept them and himself as long
Shop 81 Te and was finally driven TO seek the aid Of the
Relief Bureau. Work was sent him by express. but
he could not raise funds to pay the ex-
bureau at So per week and food. His
factory started and he went there to work, but
soon mad to come back. The factory was able only
to pay seventy-fve cents per day and no food. In
several instances persons nave been driven ~
ness of visitors have been saved from committing
crime though ON the verge Of 1t.
THE OvERSEER OF THE POOR,
o city Official, tells much the same story. He
serves $50 persons per day. The greatest draw on
him is for coal, OF which 200 tons have already
been gwen out to the poor. Fifteen thousand
tickets for bread are given out per month. His
ONCE, too, witnesses q great many very sad and
distressing cases.