The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-06
HELP FOR THE NEEDY
Members Of the Board Of
Trade Contribute Money
for the Poor,
RESPONSIBILITY OF HONEYED MEN.
A Committee Will Receive Contri-
buttons Of Money, Food or
Articles Of Wearing
Apparel.
RESPONSIBILITY OF MONEYED MEN

The Board of Trade last night appro-
priated $500 to be used in relieving the un-
employed and deserving poor of the city,
and the members as individuals created a
fund for the same humane purpose by do
mating $175 additional. Last nights meet
ing was Especial one, and the call sent out
by President voorhees, plainly stated that
the object was to CONSIDER what could be
done toward furnishing work or relief for
the unemployed and deserving poor of the
city, at this time of unusual Distress The
The notice further said;-"We feel sure
we shall have the cooperation of
many who desire to contribute
TO a fund if they could be assured that the
money would be judiciously expended, and
under the charge of the Board of Trade,
that end would certainly be attained"
These notices were sent broadcast, and
with all the attendance numbered but
thirteen, and the gentlemen who were pres
sent are the old standbys of the board. The
gentlemen who did so much toward allevi-
ating the sufferings of the poor were:-Mr.
John j. VOORHEES,, Andrew j. Corcoran, DR..
l.. J. Gordon, H. E. Condit, Joseph A. Dear,
William J. TAFT, John D.. Carscallen, Ed
ward Hoos, Mr.. Rohr, Mr.. Stone, James E.
Banks and Poormaster Hewitt.
OBJECT OF H MEETING.
In calling the meeting to order, President
VOORHEES, said hat it was his opinion that
the business depression was more keenly felt
in other cities than in Jersey City. He be-
lieved, however, that there was untold suf-
fering in the city if it could only be found
out and the sufferers cared for. Mr.. Voor-
hees called upon Overseer of the Poor Hewitt,
and asked him to give the gentlemen present
some dea of what the suffering i'll Jersey
City is.
Mr.. Hewitt began by showing how many
| people he has cared for during the past three
years. From December, 1890 to 1891, he had
Under his care 429 families, of this number
1876 were s'goodn widows who were compare
lively destitute. To these he gave coal,
shoes, food and house rent. In the same
time he cared for thirty-one old women,
forty grass widows, made such by, their hus-
bands being in Jail, asylums or having de-
serted them. He had nineteen families de-
pendent upon the city as a result of foolish
alliances and seventy-four caused by men out
Of work.
In 1S91-92 he had IA widows, SO old women,
Al grass widows and 101 out of work.
In 1S92-93 he had IT'S widows, AZ old
women, 63 grass widows and 234 by means
of no employment.
ON THE PooRMASTER.
sFrom the first of October last until De-
cember,n said Mr.. Hewitt, II had 100 fami-
lies become dependent upon me by reason of
no work. From December l until the pres
emit time 1 am assisting 563 families, repre-
senting in all 2, 26S people. OF this number
255 are out of work, 53 families are made de-
pendent by shiftless fathers, 60 are those of
foolish marital relations, 81 are caused by
sick husbands and fathers, two are by luna.
tics and three old buns who never work and
who live on their wives. also care for 173
good widows, 80 old couples, "A old women,
On : -.-- A 49, 1orv o-1 hnro ~,
my books twenty-one cheats"
"How do you find the sickness amongst
the poor?' asked Mr.. Banks.
s"This year." replied Mr. Hewitt, 81 nave
assisted forty-six families made dependent
by sickness. In 1892 l also had forty-six and
in 1891 ffty-two."
"How much does the city allow you to
"But Sc, 600" was the reply.
This was a surprise to everyone, as Mr..
Hewitt showed that in 1871 the city, with a
population of $4,000, expended $4,000 for
the care of the poor, and in 1875 $25, 800.
Then there were but 5000 poor to care for.
In five years Mr.. Hewitt reduced the num-
Der of dependent families from 1,241 to 500,
and cared for them with ST, 200.
care there people in need who do not ap-
ply to you?' was asked of Mr.. Hewitt.
III can't say, but l think there are"
Isn't it the last thing some people will do
to come to you?
"With some, yes"
sHow does the number of poor now COM
pare with that of about panic times??' asked
Mr.. Dear.
sit is a great deal less" was the reply.
sWe then had 5000 poor out of a population
of 8 1000. Now We have half that number,
with a population of 100, 200"
'eWhat is the condition of the p~oorhouseg'
asked Mr.. Hoos.
st is not crowded any more than usual.
We nave from 700 to $50 there"
ssDo you favor the giving of aims indis-
c~riminatelyg9' was asked Mr.. Hewitt.
Most assuredly I do not" he replied 'It
makes people dependent. Fathers and
mothers beg, and, when a little trouble
strikes the children of these people, when
they grow they begin to beg, and it is hard
to break 1t up"
ssCan you suggest any means OF rellefs"
asked DIR. Gordon.
Mr.. Hewitt, in reply, cited an instance of
where two gentlemen, who had been in the
habit of giving him turkeys at Christmas,
this year gave him $25 each. Mr.. Hewitt
wanted them to distribute the money them
selves, but they preferred that he do it. He
spoke of the $3.50 which has already been APP
propriated and assured the gentlemen that it
had lone a world of good. Mr.. Hewitt makes
people work, if possible. He cited an in
stance OIL u On6 dIlleu IHdu lIOIl 0lOSHNll0
who said if Mr.. Hewitt would give him 50
with which to buy two hundred hard crabs
he would try to earn a living for his wife
and family. MI. Hewitt gave him the money.
He also cited Instances where he gave 81 with
which to buy medicine for sick children and
husbands
NOT VERY PRONOUNCED.
Mr.. Dear declared that Mr.. Hewits re-
port, which showed that the suffering was
not much greater this year than previous
years, corroborated his belief that the stories
of suffering were exaggerated. As Secretary
of the Home of the Homeless. he said that
the number of applications for admission
was no higher than usual Mr.. Dear re-
in York street, by the Newman Mission
Rescue Home. He said that men who work
ed for hours were given three meals II a
nights lodging. The work given men who
want meals, is to split wood. So much has
been split that the house is full. Mr.. Dear
wanted to sell some at 81 q load. Before the
meeting had adjourned, he had sold every
gentleman present q load of wood, and some
Of them two loads. Mr.. Carscallen sent two
loads to the Home of the Homeless. In all,
twenty-one loads were sold. This clears the
house out, and there is work and meals
ahead for a number. Mr.. Dear suggested
the organization of a charity organization.
Mr.. Hewitt said that he knew of Instance
where families for generations had been
ruined because of such aid as a charity Or
ganization might extend, He said widows
who had lost good husbands were ashamed to
beg and went from neat, good homes into
novels, thus surrounding their children with
evil companions and running them. He ar
gueds that dependency p~ropogated ~pauperism
and crime.