The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-07
0vERSEERS
OF The POOR
OUTING
Governor GarVin and General
Drayton Were Among tho
Speakers at POmham Club.

Guardians OF the poor from nearly ev-
cry city and town in this state gathered
yesterday afternoon at the Pomham
club. the occasion being the annual outing
OF the Rhode Island Association or
Overseers OF the Poor.
Including the guests there were about
II present. among whom were Gov Gar
vim, Gen. Charles r Brayton. Mayor Hig-
gins OF Pawtucket Mayor Humes OF Cen
trail Falls and Mayor Gaulin OF Woon-
socket
About 2 o'clock one OF the famous POM
ham dinners were served and when the
cigars were lighted George L. Smith, act
ing for the chairman. Col. +. F. olney.
called the meeting 20 order and introduce
ed Gov. Garvin as the first speaker.
The governor said that he thought
Rhode Island had an efficient corps OF
overseers, and that the work in this d-
rection had been and was still being we'll
done. The chief fault in such work was,
he stated, the existence OF a sort OF rou-
tine. which too often took the place OF
kind-heartedness and gentleness when
dealing with the needy ones. He felt this
fault was very little I'm evidence in Rhode
Island; and that the overseers OF the poor
were as a rule large-hearted men, he
said:
Very few officials are watched more
than the overseers OF the poor. and per-
haps IT is this that keeps them doing
their work so well, because II officials
are not watched they are liable to make
mistakes. But 1 am not looking forward
to an increase Of work in this direction.
anticipate rather a decrease OF pauper-
ism, and think there should be legisla-
ton tending to that end. The passing OF
just laws, looking toward the more
equable distribution OF wealth. certainly
reduces pauperlsm."
Gov. Garvin then expressing his pleas
ure at being present on such an enjoyable
occasion, and congratulating the mem
bers of the association on the efficiency
Of their work
Gen. Brayton was introduced. and he
spoke as follows:
i am glad 10 be with you on this ooca-
sion as am always, to do anything in
my power for the amelioration OF the
conditions and for the comfort OF the un-
I'm my opinion the first duty OF the
state Is 10 take care Of them without re-
gard To religious creeds or political affil-
iations. That Rhode Island has done so
Tor many years is apparent from the fol-
lowing facts:
The legislature has provided an nsti-
tuto for the deaf at an expense of s9i 600.
and state almshouse. a hospital for the
Insane. together with other buildings the
aggregate cost of which has been S752,
l3l.@. The present annual expenditures
for charities are: For the aimshouse and
state hospital for the insane $500 for
the state home and school. s2l 900: for the
Rhode Island institute for the deaf, 500
600; for the INDECENT insane at Butler hos
pital 10000 for the education OF blind
and prevention of cruelty to children.
$3.50: aid for the Providence lying-in-hos-
vkft nl III.
ture per annum. approximately. s225..-
600 il has also rendered substa ntial aid
10 other unfortunates having appropSi-
ated at It's last session, what will become
n fixed charge upon the state the sum
OF $500 toward the support of the Rhode
Island Catholic infant asylum.
The cities and towns have supplement
ed and have added 10 the amounts thus
provided by the state by an annual ex-
penditure of more than S1l7.000. making a
grand total OF nearly $3.50, 900 disbursed an
nually out OF the public funds for the
benefit Of the deserving needy within our
borders
There is another branch OF this sub
iect perhaps not entirely germaine but
TO which ] call your attention. and that
is the liberality OF the state In providing
for the defenders Of the Union I'm the
War OF the Rebellion, a comfortable SOL
diers' home. not equalled by many and
surpassed by none In this country.
II feel In common with every other
citizen Of this state. that these appro-
priations should be continued and in
creased as occasion may require, To the
end that there may be no deserving
needy person within our borders uncared
for by the state.
II feel that the meetings OF the over
seers Of the poor from the various cities
and towns are conducive TO good re-
suits. You are thereby enabled TO ex-
change views as TO the best methods 20
be used I'm mitigating the sufferings OF
those entrusted 10 your care and OF ad-
ding 10 their comforts. Yours is work
that admits OF great deal or humani-
tarianism and the more you do TO pal
Hate the Ills OF those unfortunates for
whom 81 is your duty 10 provide. the
more praiseworthy will he your mission"
Mayor Higgins OF Pawtucket. Mayor
Gaultn Of Woonsocket Mayor Humes OF
Central Falls, were All called upon and
spoke briefly.
The last speaker was William NJ. Peck
ham, president OF the association who
Is overseer OF the poor OF Pawtucket. He
spoke chiefly OF the need for more ac-
commodations for needy children OF the
state.
The success OF the outing was due
largely 10 the following committee: @
J.. Smith James r. McCusker and wal
ter II Wiphtn1ap