The Portland daily press., 1895-12-14
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
Report of the Secretary.

Report of the Secretary.
The annual meeting of the Associated
Charities was held yesterday afternoon in
Room 9. City building, with a large at
tendance.
There was no other business than the
acceptance and adoption of the secre-
| taIies' reports, and the report OF the
nominating committee, after which the
meeting of the old organization was ad-
| journed
A new organization was Immediately
| effected under the act of incorporation,
and was called by the same name as be-
fore, Associated Charities of Portland.
The reading of the published call, the
bylaws and articles of incorporation were
| read from the secretary, after which the
| following officers were elected:
President-Mr j. J. Gerrish.
| Vice Presidents-Rev. W. L. Phelan
and DR.. Pudor
| Secretary and Treasurer-Miss Octayia
Berkett
Assistant Secretary-Mrs. Thomas W.
M oore.
Attorney-Byron d. Verrill.
The new organization starts out with
excellent prospects, and it is hoped will
arrest the careful thought of all Port
lands philanthropio citizens.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
The work of the Associated Charities
the past year varies in one respect from
former years, that is, there have been no
cases of actual fraud. The object and
work of this organization is now SO we'll
understood in this community that very
little charity is bestowed at the door.
Occasionally person calls at houses in
the city, but oftener in the outskirts with
a piUiful story of want or sickness, asking
for only the smallest sum of money, but
when directed to the Associated Charities
some excuse is made and they seldom
heard from each season, that they are
poor there can be no doubt. and always
will be until they learn to spend their
earnings to better advantage. Much
wholesome advice is given to such, and
as little help as possible to keep them
very worthy class whom it is pleasure
to help. Some hard working women had
little recreation in the summer months.
One mother with her three little ones
spent two weeks in the country through
the kindness of the Fresh Air Society,
and help in the way of clothing from the
Female Charitable Society. There have
been cases where care and oversight was
needed the year round. A young person
who. was the mainstay Of her sick and in
firm parents had the misfortune to break
limb, laming her side for long time.
Her employer continued to pay herswages
many weeks and from help received from
other sources they were made comfort
able. One Of our working women, who
has an invalid husband broke her wrist
last winter. She was cared for in various
ways until she could resume work. The
good Samaritans allowed her two dollars
each week for long time.
In most cases the use of liquor is the
principle cause of poverty and wretohed-
ness. One man who signed pledge. gave
his wages into the hands of his wife, anu
was surprised to see how many comforts
were purchased with the money he had
before squandered, but the pledge has not
been kept wholly, although there is
change for the better. Another person
who has made use of the Keeley cure at
his home seems to be entirely cured of
the drink habit.
While it is not the object of this society
to dispense charity, still there is a great
amount of charitable work done, gar
ments are sent in which are very useful
especially those for men and boys. There
we're but few donations of money or
clothing last season in comparison with
former years. A class in State street
Sunday school contributed small sum
with which was purchased suit for
little boy.
The ladies of the work room report
more work accomplished during the
winters of 1894 and 1895 than during any
other season since the room was opened.
Work was given out from the first of
January until the first of May, at which
| time the annual sale of garments was
| held. For the most Or that time nearly
forty women came to the rooms weekly
| for portion of sewing, and many times
double portion was given to those in
extreme need. Very few were the do1.a-
tions of money or material received
during the winter The unusual amount
of work distributed, the orders paid out
IN return, and the fact that the demand
for material was SO much greater than
| usual. exhausted the funds accruing from
last years sales They were fortunate to
receive from the state trustees of the
school for mutes an order to furnish the
new dorinitoly now nearly ready for
occupancy, with the bedding and general
housekeeping goods; this with an order
from the committee of the fire depart
ment to supply the engine houses with