The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-11-08
The UNITED CHARITIES
The Annual Meeting Of the Organization
Held al Its Headquarters Last Night.
PRESIDENT ROPER MAKES HIS REPORT.
Showing The Work of the Orgnniza::
ton During the Past Ycar-A
Gratifying Exhibit of Charitable
Deeds-OHiccrs Elected for the Fin.
suing Ycnr.-Trcnsurcr's Rcport.

The annual meeting Of the United
Charities was held last night at the
rooms of the organization in the Ma
sonic Temple on Freemason street a
large number of. the leading people Of
the city were present. and much inter
est was manifested in the work of aid
ing the poor. to which the United
Charities is devoted.
Captain John L. Roper, the prest-
dent, occupied the chair
Ihe first business was the reports Of
officers. President Roper's being as fol-
lows:
MISUNDERSTANDING year has pass
ed and We have met together for the
purpose of reviewing the work of the
association since our last annual meet
ing, and TO consider what is necessary
10 be done to make the association eff
iecttve in relieving the distress of the
poor during the ensuing year and with
our increasing population, without u
proportonate increase of employment
Tor them, makes the question of provid-
ing for their necessities IL matter of
deep concern, and one that should have
The thoughtful consideration of every
man and woman who has the welfare
OF their fellowmcn at heart. II Is well
known that there is Il great scarcity of
labor i'm this city, especially for women
ana children, so few factories where
employment adapted to them can be Sc
cured Therefore, IL great many, by
enforced idlcncss, are unable to earn
their daily bread. About the only en-
ployment open to women generally is
mat of sewing. and that is extremely
limited and the compensation for il so
meaEre that II scarcely suiiccs TO keen
soul and body together If all expended
IN provisions, to say nothing of rent ,
fuel and clothes. What VIC need in
Norfolk is factories, and until we have
them ana thereby enable to give en-
pioymcnt to the great army Of unem-
ployed we can not hope for that meas
ulri OF prosperity for our city that we
Wishto see. and until then we must con-
tinue ITO care for those who cannot pro-
Niqe Tor themselves,
AS Will be seen by the report of the
treasurer, larger sum of money than
usual was expended during the past
year, and from the manner in which II
was expended greater benefits than
ever before were given for the amount
expended. although cntailing more work
on those connected with the association
me groceries and provisions were
bought at wholesale prices and t,stri-
butcd under the supervision Of the asso-
citation, and from its rooms thus Civ
ing us the benefit of the saving in prices
ana consequently an Increased amount
Tor distribution, ana we derived n fur
ther benefit by distributing ourselves
and by receiving donations in the way
of groceries ana provisions. We can
safely add 10 the amount. as per treas
urerS report. donations amounting to
$500 in value. all OF which were ac-
knowledgcd, but not taken up BY the
treasurer. as his accounts only show
that amount of cash having passed
through his hands. so that we may add
$500 worth of groceries. provisions and
vegetables that We're given, adding that
much to those purchased. We can also
add ut least 500 for coal and wood dis
iributed by donations. making that item
about $1,000, or l.200 loads of coal ana
wood. With all of this we cannot saw
mat we gave effcctual relief in every
case. The winter. as is we'll known, Was
one oil the ScNcreSt ever experienced in
the history OF Norfolk, and without
doubt there was much distress, not
withstanding our efforts, as we'll as pri-
Natc help given. We were compelied
Tor want of funds, to discontinue the
general distribution earlier than usual
last spring. but continued To help the
most needy persons through our visitor
and all during the summer we have had
larger per cent. than usual who are en-
tireIY dependent upon charity.
NOW as To the future: we are com
mencing the year with very small
amount III the treasury, and q large
part of that contributed VERY recently
by generous friends of the Association.
we have more than the usual calls I'M
on us at this season of the pear. bnt un-
able as yet To commence general distri-
button, caring only for the most desti-
bht NtlS SOON we must cNpnct
cold weather, when IL general distribu-
ton OF fuel and provisions will be ne
ccssafY That there is n great deal
OF want even now. there is no doubt
Whatever. There are many Idle people
anu very many pitiful appeals for helm.
ana but for much private help given
mere would be more or less sulrerins
IL Is TO be regretted that the assncia-
non does not have q more hearty CO.
operation on the part of citizens gene
rally. What is a burden to a few com
paratiVcly would he very light for all
who should give ana can do so to some
extent. While our work is increasing;
our membership is decreasing. and
the contributors are a very small per
cent. OF those who col give. Our ben
iiclaries are not confined to any por-
ton OF the city. but from all parts OF
the city, and even beyond the city lin
IT'S. we should have at least $1,000 to
40 the work well. We have heretofore
limited our help almost entirely to
groceries. provisions. and fuel In
some few special cases Il little hclp i'm
other directions has been given. Odca-
sionailY barcfootcd children have been
furnished with shoes. and ! sincerely
wish That we could do more I'm that di-
rcctinn II is pitiful to see the many
half-c!ad children that come under our
observation, during the cold weather.
ana trust that Il more generous sup
port may be given the association. en-
abilng 1t TO provide more generally
for the comfort and health of those
coming under its care. urge upon
every member OF the association the
inn IN q mr.. Of