I am satisfied that forty-nine were intemperate; and with respect to the habits of eight, I have not sufficient knowledge to enable me to decide. Of the intemperate, three were committed for whipping their wives-one charged with poisoning his wife-two with arson, and one with abuse to his parents. And I further certify, that the number of commitments during that time was eighty-eight. Angelica, 7th August, 1833. JESSE BULLOCK, N. B. The number committed in the year previous to this date, was 41." The following fact was related to me by the sheriff: An intemperate man was committed to prison for twenty days on conviction for assault and battery. He swore revenge upon the com plainant at the time of commitment, and when liberated he returned home, and in pursuance of his threat entered a complaint for perjury against the former complainant. At the time of the examination this man, whose malicious temper had not been mollified, or his habits improved by his imprisonment, became very much intoxicated, fell down stairs, and broke his neck; thus closing a life of intemperance with imprisonment-probably perjury —and a premature death. Poor-House. The keeper of the poor-house certifies that fifty persons have been received into it in one year, of whom eleven, he says, were not reduced to poverty by intemperance: five he puts down as doubtful, and thirty-four as having been reduced to poverty by their own intemperance, or that of their relatives. VIAL THOMAS, Keeper. Remarks. I have taken in some cases the whole number that have received assistance at the poor-house in one year, and in others the whole number received into it; in the first case including those who were inmates at the commencement of the year; in the latter, excluding them, and counting those only who were brought to the poor-house during the year. In ascertaining the expenses of this county, I called on Judge Allen, who I found was as well or better acquainted with its pecuniary concerns than any other person. The clerk of supervisors resided at some distance from the village, and his books were. frequently left in Judge Allen's hands, for the accommodation of those who might have occasion to examine them. He certifies that the expense of the poor-house the last year was $2,300 And the expense of criminal justice was....... 3,568 Making together,.... $5,868 ........ $7,000 The county tax the last year was $12,000, for which $4,500 is to be deducted to pay for poor-house and farm, leaving the ordinary tax about.... From this deduct the expense of pauperism and crime, as above, and there is left for other purposes, It must not be forgotten that the $4,500 was spent to make provision for paupers, full three-fourths of whom are rendered so by intemperance. .... BROOME COUNTY.-Population 17,579. Jail. Whole number committed in one year, Temperate, $1,132 18 0 3 Doubtful,. Intemperate, 15 One of the three put down as doubtful is a Swede, and a minister of the gospel. He had formerly been very intemperate, but had hopefully reformed. He was a member of a temperance society, but indulged in the use of wine; and he says that it was through its influence that he was led to the commission of crime. The charge preferred against him was an attempt to commit a One of the intemperate was committed for whipping his wife; and another an charge of rape. rape. J. WENTZ, Jailer. 26 3 4 19 We came to this result from a critical examination into every Of the temperate, one is a deranged person, brought here for safe keeping, and two are idiots. case. This house has been opened for the reception of paupers about three years, and after critically examining into every case, we find that of the 83 received in that time, there were VINCENT WHITNEY, STEPHEN WEED, Binghamton, 28th November, 1833. 12 11 60 Superintendents of poor in Broome County. the cases that came before me during the year, that is, NINETYSIX in a HUNDRED originated in or were directly connected with intemperance. More than TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED cases come under my cognizance in a year. Albany, 20th March, 1834. J. O. COLE, Police Justice. Although nothing that I can say will add to the importance which will be attached to the above certificate, yet it may not be amiss to remark that Mr. Cole has held the office of police justice for more than eight years, amidst all the changes of party; a fact which reflects honor alike upon him, and the constituted authorities of this city, by whom he was appointed, and has been continued in office. But dont stop here, look at your Alms-House. Whole number received into this house in one year, Not from intemperance, Doubtful, Intemperance, The 17 were from remote towns in the county. .634 1 17 616 Of the whole number 198 were females, and at least threefourths of them were intemperate; and full one half grossly so. There are a few very respectable and interesting women here, but they were reduced to poverty by the intemperance of their husbands. There were 297 persons in the house on the 1st January 1833, so that the whole number assisted in the year is 931. GEO. W. WELCH, Superintendent. Orphan Assylum. Here, of This institution was founded, and is supported by individuals; principally too by the very men who are devoting their time and money and influence to the uprooting of that very vice which renders its existence necessary. The original cost of the building and the ground on which it stands was $18,000. The annual expense of supporting it is about $3,000. It is a noble monument of the humanity and benevolence of those who established it. in this groupe of little immortals, deprived at their tender age their natural protectors and guardians, of the endearments of parental care and affection, is an exhibition of the effect of ardent spirit, which makes an appeal-an appeal which should be irresistible-not only to the christian but to the patriot and philanthropist. Let the facts here given, which were obtained from unquestionable data, speak for themselves. I give no names as vouchers for their correctness: I did not ask for them; motives of delicacy forbade it. The citizens of Albany can examine for themselves. 18 Doubtful,. ....... Intemperate (one or both,).. ... .... .... Mothers known to be intemperate, ........ ... 7 33 ALCOHOL, then, imposes an annual tax on the benevolent and humane of this city, in this ONE department of its legitimate operations, of more than three thousand dollars; has made in this city SEVENTY-TWO ORPHANS, EIGHTEEN DRUNKEN MOTHERS, and caused the entire DESERTION of THIRTY-THREE CHILDREN by their PARENTS. These are palpable, acknowledged, irreparable EVILS. Where are the BENEFITS which alcohol confers upon this community to counterbalance them? If there are none, common sense, patriotism, humanity will inquire, "Is there a remedy?" Let the success of the temperance cause for the last six years give the answer. A little further-Look at the following: County tax,...... There is included in this to pay towards City-Hall,.. Leaving as ordinary tax,... Expenses of the poor, after deducting all receipts for licenses, Expense of crime,.. Together,. $34,000 00 3,750 00 $30,250 00 $7,500 00 11,870 86 $19,370 86 Leaving a balance applicable to other purposes, of.. $10,879 14 Albany, 28th Dec., 1833. THOS. W. HARMAN, In view of all these facts it will be acknowledged that ardent spirit has been a very EFFICIENT AGENT during the last year, and doubtless is ready to serve you as faithfully and efficiently the present. Will you continue to EMPLOY HIM? ALLEGANY COUNTY.-Population 26,276. "I certify that since the first of January, 1832, about eighteen months, fifty seven persons have been committed to this jail on criminal charges, and after a critical examination into each case. I am satisfied that forty-nine were intemperate; and with respect to the habits of eight, I have not sufficient knowledge to enable me to decide. Of the intemperate, three were committed for whipping their wives-one charged with poisoning his wife-two with arson, and one with abuse to his parents. And I further certify, that the number of commitments during that time was eighty-eight. Angelica, 7th August, 1833. JESSE BULLOCK, N. B. The number committed in the year previous to this date, was 41." The following fact was related to me by the sheriff: An intemperate man was committed to prison for twenty days on conviction for assault and battery. He swore revenge upon the complainant at the time of commitment, and when liberated he returned home, and in pursuance of his threat entered a complaint for perjury against the former complainant. At the time of the examination this man, whose malicious temper had not been mollified, or his habits improved by his imprisonment, became very much intoxicated, fell down stairs, and broke his neck; thus closing a life of intemperance with imprisonment-probably perjury -and a premature death. Poor-House. The keeper of the poor-house certifies that fifty persons have been received into it in one year, of whom eleven, he says, were not reduced to poverty by intemperance: five he puts down as doubtful, and thirty-four as having been reduced to poverty by their own intemperance, or that of their relatives. VIAL THOMAS, Keeper. Remarks.-I have taken in some cases the whole number that have received assistance at the poor-house in one year, and in others the whole number received into it; in the first case including those who were inmates at the commencement of the year; in the latter, excluding them, and counting those only who were brought to the poor-house during the year. In ascertaining the expenses of this county, I called on Judge Allen, who I found was as well or better acquainted with its pecuniary concerns than any other person. The clerk of supervisors resided at some distance from the village, and his books were. frequently left in Judge Allen's hands, for the accommodation of those who might have occasion to examine them. He certifies that the expense of the poor-house the last year was $2,300 And the expense of criminal justice was....... Making together,... 3,568 $5,868 |