REPORTS, &c. No. I. An Account of the Rise and Progress of the. Cork Society, for bettering the Condition and increasing the Comforts of the Poor. Communicated by the Rev. Joseph Stopford, F. T. C. To take a view of the rife and progress of that Society which first in this kingdom followed the steps of that established in England, for bettering the Condition of the Poor, will, it is hoped, have its use in stimulating others to form similar associations. The first design of creating such an institution, arofe in the Superintending Committee of the Benevolent Society: a Society formed in Cork for the relief of the sick and indigent. At a meeting held for the purpose of devising means of increasing their funds, the very great number who wanted assistance, and the difficulty of providing a sufficient supply, strongly impressed upon their minds the necessity of seeking for such measures as might prevent in future that distress which it was beyond their power to remedy. In the course of this research they were soon led to the Reports of the London Society, and from thence gradually induced to adopt the principle most strongly enforced in those publications," that the best relief which the poor can receive, is that which comes from them B "selves." To communicate this design to the public, a meeting of the inhabitants of Cork was summoned for Feb. 12, 1799: at this, resolutions were passed for forming a Society for bettering the Condition and increasing the Comforts of the Poor, and that its general object should be to collect and circulate information, attending chiefly to plans for œconomizing charity. But this meeting having been thinly attended, and a second called a week after, almost entirely unattended, it appeared to many that the scheme must of necessity be abandoned. However, a few ardent individuals, determined supporters. of the measure, increasing in zeal with increase of difficulty, formed a determination to render the public acquainted with the design, and then make another attempt to obtain general support. An Address * was consequently sent forth, stating the views and objects of the proposed Society; the happy effect of which was, that the following meeting, called a month after, was respectably attended, the constitution of the Society formed, and the following resolutions agreed to: Cork, March 22, 1799. RESOLUTIONS Of the Society for bettering the Condition and increafing the Comforts of the Poor. 1. THAT a Society be formed in this City for bettering the Condition, and increasing the Comforts of the Poor. 2. THAT the general object of the Society be to collect information respecting the circum * Vide Hincks's Addrefs to the Inhabitants of Cork. stances of the Poor in this city and neighbourhood, and the most effectual means of meliorating their condition; and to communicate this information to the public, in order that any comforts and advantages which the Poor enjoy in other parts of the British empire, may be extended to this part in as great a de rce as peculiar circumstances will admit. And as it has been found impossible, notwithstanding the large sums bestowed, to relieve all the distress that occurs in this large city, it appears desirable that particular attention should be paid to all plans of economy, so as to extend the benefits of charitable institutions to as great a number as possible. 3. THAT the Society ever keep in view the prin ciple, that the best relief the Poor can re "ceive, is that which comes from themselves;" and that the most effectual method of improving their condition is by the encouragement of industry and prudence. 4. THAT the business of the Society shall be transacted by a Committee chosen annually. 5. THAT this Committee be empowered to correspond with any other society having a similar object in view; to purchase any books which are calculated to give them information on the subject; and to print any plan which they think deserving of the public attention. 6. THAT the Committee be also empowered to offer such rewards for good conduct, as the state of the funds will admit, so as to awaken ? the attention of the Poor to what will promote their best interests. 7. THAT the Committee consist of a President, five Vice-Presidents, and twenty-eight Members, including the Treasurer and Secretary, to be chosen at an annual meeting of the subscribers. 8. THAT no plan shall be printed, or any other expence incurred, without the approbation of at least seven members of the Committee, asscinbled in a regular manner. 9. THAT the Committee meet on the first Wednesday of every month for the transaction of business. 10. THAT a Sub-Committee, chosen by the General Committee out of their own body, meet frequently for the purpose of examining reports, and preparing plans for the inspection of the General Committee. 11. THAT every Subscriber be entitled to attend the meetings of the Committee, and to give his opinion, but not to have a vote on the decision of any question, 12. THAT every Member subscribe half a guinea annually, to defray the expences of the Society. President, HON. AND RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF CORK AND ROSS. Vice-Presidents, Sir Samuel Rowland, Rev. Doctor Moylan, COMMITTEE. William Beamish, Esq. Rev. T. D. Hincks, Sec. William Jones, Esq. SUB-COMMITTEE. Christopher Cole, Esq. Thomas Roberts, Esq. |