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From the Pittsburg Gazette.

STEAM POWER IN AND NEAR PITTSBURG.

We publish to day, the list of Steam Engines in and adjacent to our city, which Mr. Church politely handed us a few days ago. There were two others, Wainright's and Fisk's, mentioned in this statement, but as neither their power, nor their consumption of coals, nor the purposes to which their power is applied, were mentioned, we have not included them in the list. There may be, and probably are, some others, in the city and adjacent to it, not embraced in this statement; and in the county we know that there are many more. Will some of our friends have the goodness to forward to us information about any which they know of not mentioned in our paper to-day? List of Steam Engines in, and adjacent to, Pittsburg.

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For the Gazette.

MR. CRAIG-I was much interested in reading the enumeration of steam engines in the city and county, contained in your paper of yesterday. It is calculated to give the stranger, and even the citizen, who looks over it attentively, new views of our business and manufactures. If the first cost could be affixed to each establishment, and the value of its yearly product, the table would present a mass of information truly interesting and valuable. With a steam power equal to that of two thousand five hundred and eighty horses; and two thousand one hundred hands, daily and industriously at work, what an immense amount of manufactured articles must annually be sent off, from Pittsburg, to the regions north, west, and south of us! -and when our markets shall be increased and extended by the new avenues of communication we expect shortly to see opened up to the east, the west. and the south, who can compute the trade and the wealth that will flow in upon Pittsburg?

One part of the table appears to be defective,and in some cases, incorrect; I allude to the statement of the amount of coal said to be consumed by each engine. It is not stated whether the amounts given are per day, week, month, or year, though it is evident that many of them will not agree to any of these times. For instance the Rolling Mill of Leonard, Semple, & Leonard is said to consume 20,000 of coal-on Barbeau's map of the city is is said to consume 666 bushels daily, which multiplied by 280 working days, will amount to 186,480 bushels

in the year; which is about 30,000 bushels more than is said to be consumed by the whole 89 engines mentioned in the list.

As coal is so very interesting an article to every Pittsburgher; giving life, and being, and prosperity to our manufactures, and to our city itself, and defend. ing us, as our medical gentlemen contend, against cholera and many other calamities, the undersigned, and probably many more of your readers would be much obliged to your obliging correspondent to furnish a statement, as nearly correct as possible, of the amount tioned in the list, per annum. of coal consumed at each of the establishments, men

CARCON.

Our correspondent will find the omission corrected, by a note under the editorial head-in each case the estimate is of the monthly consumption.

PENNSYLVANIA CANAL.

business done on this great improvement, both of which We publish, below, two articles, in relation to the are interesting, and may be depended upon as precisely correct. The difference between the amount of tonnage going east and that coming west, is very great; and, as is properly remarked, plainly proves that our western trade needs some encouragement, by the reduction of tolls on produce. It is for the interest of all parties-of the state, of the owner of the produce, and of the freighter-that the tolls on domestic productions should be reduced. If boats were compelled to go eastward empty, the freighter must earn enough on the westward trip to pay the expenses of two trips, and a little more, or he will not pursue the business long.— On the other hand, if he makes a little on his eastward trip, he can reduce his charge for transportation westward, and thus draw more business to the line.

Two facts are mentioned in the second article, which are encouraging and interesting. The first is, that if passengers had, this year, paid toll at Pittsburg. as they did last year, the amount of tolls for October, 1833, would have equalled the amount taken at the same office for the whole of the year 1832.

The next circumstance which is worthy of notice, is that, during the last twelve months, the canal was closed only one month. While this proves, most conclusively, the advantage which our canal possesses over . the New York canal, it also furnishes a satisfactory reply to the pretended superiority of rail roads over canals in the winter. This superiority, if it exist at all, is certainly, in our latitude, of very short duration.—Pittsburg Gazette.

COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, PITTSBURG, }

November 6, 1833.

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Tonnage, from the east to Pittsburg, in October, 1833, 4,475,862 pounds. There can be no better proof of the increase of the business on the Pennsylvania canal, than the fact that, in the month of October, 1833, there was $802 724 taken at the Pittsburg office, and during all the season of 1832 there were taken at the same office only $884 32-and if the toll on passengers, which, this season, is paid at Blairsville, had been paid at Pittsburg, as it was last season, there would have been more tolls taken in the month of October, 1833, than all the season of 1832. It is also worthy of the attention of Pennsylvanians, that our canal was open all the year, except the month of February, and on examination, it will be found to have been the case every year since its commencement, while the New York canal is closed from three to four months every year,

UNION BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT,

Of the Executive Board of the Union Benevolent Association.

Two years have now elapsed since the Union Benevolent Association was added to the philanthropic institutions of our city. The Executive Board conceive it to be due to the Association and the public, that they should be informed in what manner the experiment has justified the favorable anticipations entertained of it.

The objects of this Association may be briefly sum med up in the improvement of the moral and physical condition of the poor.

A fundamental principle of our system, as originally announced, restrains pecuniary assistance, and almsgiv ing in general, to those cases where disease, or the ur gency of distress, does not admit of other and prefera ble remedies. In such extreme cases, and in such alone, pecuniary aid is not a deviation from the original plan, which supposed that a sufficient fund for the ordinary relief of the poor, existed already in the provisions of the law, and the many institutions with which private charity has adorned our city.

The reports from the Ladies' Branch, however, represent these sources, as inadequate. They resound with complaints of the want of funds to meet the nume rous cases demanding immediate succour. The want of the necessary funds for this purpose is represented as disheartening the zeal of some of the most active members,and inducing others to abandon a situation which exposes them to the presence of misery without the ability

to alleviate it.

Within the past year, two hundred and fifty dollars have been appropriated, under the distribution of the Ladies' Visiting Committees, for the use of the sick and distressed poor. The number of persons, adult and children, benefitted by the distribution of wood by the

Guardians of the Poor in 1832 and 1833, within the lim

its of the operations of the Association, was, according to the statistical table of Mr. Hazard, 4,562. This fact is important, as showing the extent of surface over which charity must be diffused in order to be truly ef fectual.

The amount furnished as above mentioned, was charged on, and paid out f, the fund collected by authority of the Town Meeting. As that fund must, by repeated draughts on it, be ere long exhausted, it be comes highly important to take efficient measures to provide other sources.

One of the principal objects cherished by the Associ ation, is the providing suitable employment for the poor. Of the great superiority of this method of relief over pecuniary donations, in promoting the health and personal comfort, as well as the moral and intellectual benefit of the poor, it is unnecessary here to enlarge. Public opinion is, perhaps, at this day at rest upon the point; and whatever objections may in theory be urged against providing work, instead of compeling every man unaided to seek it for himself, still experience shows that employment cannot, even in this country, where labor is comparatively high, be always commanded by the well disposed and industrious poor.

Several interesting cases are recorded in the ladies' reports, of the beneficial effects resulting from furnishing employment to the poor. It is a mode of relief which the Executive Board have much at heart. Their chief difficulty in the formation of any system on this subject, arises from deficiency of funds. A committee of five was appointed, in December last, to consider the best means of furnishing employment to the poor. That committee have made progress in the duties confided to them; but the subject being one of great extent and importance, and requiring much deliberation, they have as yet made no final report.

In consequence of a representation made by the Vi siting Committee of District No. 12, the Executive Board, on the 24th of December last, appropriated six

ty dollars as a loan to that District, for purchasing materials and furnishing employment. Much good has been found to result from this mode of assisting honest indigence, which stimulates industry, and incites to independence. The ladies' reports mention frequent instances of the beneficial results of this excellent species of charity. As a proof of the judicious manner in which they were applied, the loans, in most instances, are stated to have been punctually repaid.

But the most prominent feature in the scheme of the Association, is the moral influence it aims to exert on the lives and habits of the poor. It is a fact too well ascertained to admit of dispute, and too generally admitted to require illustration, that the great source of pauperism lies in the evil passions of our nature. By far the greater part of the poor in all countries consist of those whom vice has impoverished. It is computed that from three-fourths to nine-tenths of the paupers of this country are the victims of intemperance. The numerous licensed and unlicensed dram shops, and the great facilities of obtaining intoxicating liquors in our own community, render intemperance the prolific cause of pauperism. The Reports of the Ladies' Visiting Committees fearfully attest the truth of these statements. It must be obvious, therefore, to every reflecting observer, that any system of relief which is not hinged on the diffusion of virtue and good morals among the poor, however it may afford temporary alleviation, can yet effect no radical improvement in their condition. The best, the most certain of all charities, is sound, moral education This is the cardinal object of our Association. To inculcate on every individual visited, the importance of industry, frugality, cleanliness, and temperance to encourage the disconsolate-to inspire independence and self respect-to elevate the tone of moral feeling-to imprint on the minds of the young the early lessons of duty-in short, to exercise a parental guardianship over the poor-these are the principal duties of our Association. They are arduous, requiring indefatigable zeal, energy, and perseverence. Division and concentration of labor are all-essential to success. The organization of the institution which divides the city proper into twelve districts, the Northern Liberties into four districts, (Moyamensing forming a separate district,) and these districts into sections, under the care of a competent number of visiters of both sexes, has been found to work well.

The visitors have frequent intercourse with the poor. It is their special duty on these occasions to give them counsel on their domestic economy-to inculcate the necessity of sobriety and prudent thrift-to encourage weekly deposits for rent, and deposits for fuel-to make themselves considered as friends rather than as monitors. They are, moreover, carefully to guard against imposition, which indeed can rarely be successfully practised under a system of inspection so close and

constant.

The Reports of the Ladies' Branch, upon whom principally devolves the duty of visiting, and who have discharged that duty with a fidelity which merits the highest commendation, exhibit satisfactory results.

It appears from these reports, that during the quarter terminating January 12, 1833, 795 families were under care-197 children were placed at school-23 placed at service-2 sent to the Wharton House-1 to the Orphan's Asylum-1 to the House of Refuge. $885 10 were, during the same period, deposited for fuel.

That during the quarter ending April 16, 1833, 1742 visits were paid-85 children placed at school-15 at infant school-23 at service.

That during the last quarter, 1398 visits were paid41 children placed at school-9 at infant school-3 at service-$25 92 deposited for fuel.

The number of families visited, as well as of deposits, probably much exceeds the statement here given, the reports from some sections being entirely silent—in others very deficient on these points. The Executive ¦

Board, deeming accurate statistical information on all subjects within their cognizance of great importance, beg leave to recommend to the Visiting Committees the propriety of particular details.

The Report for January last states that "a flourishing school has been opened in District No. 7, for colored females, which is taught in the afternoon of the first day of the week, by the Visiters, to whose care it is confided."

The same Report tells us of 50 scholars in the school in District No. 10, located in Schuylkill Front, above Arch street, opened in September last. The whole expense of the school is estimated at $175 per annum, but the want of sufficient funds renders doubtful its further continuance.

The school in the 12th District was publicly examined on the 29th of December last; 94 children were present. The number of scholars at the date of the January Report, is represented as increased to 110. "The whole appearance of the children," say the Visiters, "is changed-tattered, filthy, and in a state of hea thenism when first introduced into the school, they are now, for the most part, cleanly, decent in their attire, and reduced to civilization."

It is gratifying to learn from the April Report, that the roll book of the school then contained 150 names. With a zeal that cannot be too warmly commended, the teacher opened an evening school for adults and such of the children as are employed in the factories during the day. On the opening of the school, 30 attended, on the second evening 50, and such is said to have been the eagerness to learn, that previously to the commencement of the school, many of them attended at the school room during the interval of work, to receive instruction.

Thus there is every reason to anticipate that the labors of the Association, directed to that quarter from which success is with most reason to be looked for, the education of the young, will be crowned with happy results. From persons of maturer years, in whom the tyranny of vicious habits is firmly established, less is certainly to be expected. Nevertheless the instances of reform through the influence of regular visiting, recorded in the Ladies' Reports, present many incentives to renewed and vigorous exertion.

The visiters of District No. 1, speak of a man whose "habits of intemperance were so confirmed, as to take away entirely the inclination to support his family;" who had "for the last three months paid his rent; the cause of this unusual and unexpected exertion was attributed by his wife to the influence of one of the visit. ers.'

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Another instance is recorded in the same district, of an individual formerly addicted to intemperance: "It is with pleasure," says the report, "we are able to say his conduct continues satisfactory."t

Another man in the same district, "who formerly supported his family by begging, says that the Union Benevolent Association has ruined him."

Two other men, in the 8th and 11th districts, "who were victims of intemperance, "are said to "have reformed so far as to attend places of worship, and behave with propriety at home."§

Other cases are related of individuals rescued from the degrading thraldom of intemperance, and of families induced to attend places of worship, through the benevolent labors of the visiters.

The visiters of the 6th section of the 8th district, in reference to the general character of the poor, say "they perceive a decided improvement of those families which they have regularly visited since the forma tion of our society."

"Improvement," says another report, "is perceptible in many families."

The efforts of the visiters to prevail on the poor to

January Report. †April Report. #Ib. §Ib, Ib

deposit a portion of their earnings for the procurement of fuel, have not been unavailing.

In reply to the query: what had been the increase of deposits in the Fuel Savings Society in consequence of the efforts of the Union Benevolent Association? The Treasurer of that Society states that the deposits had been advanced, from that cause, from a thousand to fifteen hundred dollars, say about midway between the

two sums."

ples and mode of relief administered by this Association are rightly understood, and the results which have already attended its infant efforts are duly examined, that appeal will not now be ineffectual. It is a subject in which every member of this community is deeply inter ested. Pauperism is an evil attendant on dense popu. lation. Though we may not expect to exterminate it, much may and ought to be done to alleviate its miseries. Experience testifies that a competent system of relief is one of the most difficult problems in the science of public economy. Much light has of late years been shed on this important subject. The public mind is awake to it. Three millions of dollars have,during the last twenty-five years, have been paid in the way of poor tax in the city and county of Philadelphia. The reduction of this vast expenditure can only be looked for by render. ing the subsistence of the poor dependant, as far as practicable, on their own exertions, and by the general

The discouragement of street begging is intimately connected with the scheme of the Association. In the accomplishment of this desirable object, the Agency or Reference Office is a principal instrument. From the statement of our Agent, whose capacity and fitness for his station are on all hands admitted, it appears that during the last year 200 whites and 100 colored females have obtained employment through the instrumentality of the office-that places have been supplied to 50 white and 20 colored boys, and to 13 white and 10 co-diffusion of morals and education. These are the leadlored children-that 85 applications have been made by white male adults, some of whom have obtained employment-and that of 40 colored male adult applicants, employment has been supplied to 30.

In addition to these duties, the Agent has been employed in visiting those sections of the city and suburbs which are not supplied with female visiters, and such places as it is not convenient for ladies to visit. By a recent regulation of the Board, the Reference Office will, for the future, be closed during the morning hours, which will be devoted by the Agent to visiting among the poor, obtaining information relative to employment, and attending to such other duties as may be required by the lady visiters. The office will remain open as heretofore during the afternoon hours. This arrangement, it is thought, will enlarge the usefulness of the Agent, and be productive of much advantage.

An Agency Office is deemed, by the Executive Board, as highly important, if not essential to the successful management of the Association. It forms a depot of knowledge touching the various objects of our laborsa central point of reference, where the visiters may obtain aid and information-and the poor advice, assistance, and employment. The Agent is the known representative of the whole body-ever at hand to apply his services where they may be required. He is, moreover, an organ of communication and of union between the two branches of the Association.

The continuance of the Agency under its present establishment is the subject of anxious consideration with the Board.

The expenses of the institution, including the Agent's salary, office rent, and other incidental expenses, may be estimated at one thousand dollars. By an arrangement recently made with the present Agent, William E. Sherman, his services have been obtained for six months after the expiration of the present quarter, at the reduced rate of six hundred dollars per annum.

Early in the last fall, the necessity of taking measures to increase the funds of the Association, pressed itself upon the attention of the Board. Committees were appointed to obtain life and annual subscriptions. The funds procured by this means have been already exhausted. The Report of the Treasurer, herewith submitted, exhibits a balance against the Society.

The Executive Board do not wish to disguise the fact, that without more efficient pecuniary aid than has hith erto been given to the Association, it will be impossible to maintain the Agency Department on its present footing. This is a necessity which they sincerely deprecate. They have entire confidence in their present agent--they are firmly convinced of the utility of the office. They feel that no effort ought to be spared, no means left unemployed to sustain it.

Under these circumstances, their only resource is in the liberality of an enlightened public-a resource to which charity has seldom appealed in vain.

And your Board are of opinion that when the princi

ing principles of the Union Benevolent Association. If
efficiently supported, they cannot fail to operate a silent
but steady improvement on a large and important class
of society. Deeply impressed with this conviction, the
Executive Board confidently trust that neither a want
of zeal among its members, nor of fostering encourage-
ment from the public, will give an untimely check to
the labours of your Association.
All which is respectfully submitted.

THOMAS C. JAMES, President.
Attested-P. M'CALL, R. S.
October, 1833.

The Union Benevolent Association in account with Fre deric Fraley, Treasurer,

1832.

DR.

Oct. 17. To balance due the Treasurer,
1833.
Oct. 15.

To cash paid as follows:

$61.55

For Agent's salary,

800 00

For rent of Office,

67 50

For Printing, Stationary,
Fuel, &c.

135 21

1002 71

1064 26

CONTRA, CR.

By cash received for sub-
scriptions and donations, 762 86
By cash received from Am-
brose White, Executor
of the Estate of Thomas
Montgomery, as a dona-
tion,

200 00

962 86

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