For centuries, New York City was the place strivers came to make something of their lives — where smarts, hard work and grit turned pushcarts into prosperity, and where the streets were paved with gold for those willing to mine them.
Success in New York was always tougher than anyplace else. Making it here meant you could make it anywhere.
Only the very poor received charity or government assistance, and only enough to help them get on their feet and start helping themselves…