The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-20
Newport First to Establish
an AlmShOuSe.
Overseers of the Poor in Con-
venti0n in Warwick.
Difficulties That Beset Dispensers of
Public Charity.

Today the overseers OF the poor OF the
State are in convention down IN Warwick
and will discuss questions OF interest to
those whose duty It is TO care for the
indigent. In this connection IL is inter-
esting to note that Newport has the
honor Of erecting the first almshouse in
the State, the structure being built just
l73 years ago. But it is nothing new TO
find that Newport was the pioneer in a
good many directions. For instance,
less than two weeks before her poor
house was complated she hanged at
Grsvslly Point q gang of 20 men who
had been convicted OF piracy. Ii Is
doubtful il any other town in this or any
other State can show similar record
for the summary disposal OF the free
hooters of the sea.
But there were other directions in
which Newport took the lead, but in
which she was later outstripped by sihor
communities. For instance she was tho
fret to enjoy the public convenience of
paved streets. 1t was may years after
they had been introduced ia Newport
that Providence had thoroughfare that
could boast OF pavements. Then at one
time Newport had practically monopoly
OF the commerce OF Rhode Island and
for that matter of good part of New
England. This slipped from her aud
came to Providence, making the ship
pipg interests of the latter the greatest
Of any port on the Atlantic Coast. In
time Providence also lost it's shipping
supremacy, but 1t obtained in exchange
those gigantic industrial enterprises
which give employment to the greater
number OF her people and furnished the
foundation for her expansion and pros-
pority.
But to return to the overseers OF the
poor. Their business Is a very trying one
and requires tact and intelligence. There
Is a class of people that regard the funds
provided for the relief of the deserving
poor as their legitimate prey and the
trickery they will resort to in order to
obtsin what they are not entitled to is as
Ingenious as it is often disgracefuL In
these days, however, this class has very
little success in raids upon the poor funds
because OF the excellent system OF in
vestigation that is in vogue. Occasionally
an impostor may succeed in obtaining
undeserved assistance, but such cases are
now OF very rare occurrence
As illustrating the lengths TO which
these impostors Will go it is only neces-
sary to cite one or two cases. Years ago,
while the late George wightman was at
the head OF the municipal poor depart
ment be had his office on the second
floor of the old central police station on
Canal street. That was before the present
city hall was built and the headquarters
of the police, as well as OF the dog de-
partment, were located on the first floor.
One day Mr.. Wightmsn was attending to
bis books when neatly dressed woman
with q woebegone expression Of counten-
ance entered. He saw at once she was In
trouble, and her appearance indicated
that she was deserving OF assistance. She
told her story and an affecting one it
was. Her husband had recently died,
leaving he- with several small children
to support. She had struggled hard to
maintain her little family, but found she
could not make both ends meet, and the
result was that neither herself nor any
of her children had had a mouthful TO eat
for more than a day.
MI. wightman's sympathics were
touched by the woman's apparent
STRAIGHTFORWARD story. He inquired
where she lived, asked something
about her family history and told her
he would Immediately investigate her
case and render such assistance as lay
within his power. The woman, with
tears flowing copiousIy from her eyes,
thanked him and was about to depart,
when Mr.. Wightman, recalling the
story OF the long fast..ot tho woman and
her children handed her a dollar, telling
her to use 1t for food and again assuring
her that her case would receive prompt
attention. The woman departed, but
did not Immediately leave the building.
She walked into the dog department, and
took out license tor a canine that she
kept, paying the dollar that the over
seer had given her and 10 cents OF her
own money therefor. OF course she had
given fictitious address, as the overseer
found out when he started on his tour OF
Investigation. Her whole tale was prob
ably fabric OF falsehoods, but they
served her purpose for tho time beng.
Many similar cases OF imposition and
attempted imposition could be told, but