Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-30

THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 80, 1894.
PUBLIC DISTRESS.
land G gires siens ofwoen!

It is with pain, indeed, that we give the follow
ing facts, collected from the papers received by
Yesterdays mail, descriptive of the dreadful dis
tress that prevails throughout the country
What are we coming to? What is to become
of the country? To Congress must the cry be
raised. Will they, can they, disregard the ap-
peal of suffering industry-of paralyzed enter
prize?
We learn that nearly three hundred hands
were discharged by four manufacturers on Sa-
turday, in consequence Of the existing state of
things; and we need scarcely predict that every
day will but add to the number of those depriv-
ed of the means of support.-M Y Courier.
AS some evidence of the present distress
among business men, and consequent suffering
of the poorer classes, We-state, upon undoubted
authority, that four wholesale clothing establish
ments have, within a few days, discharged from
their employ nearly one thousand persons
There are in this city, employed by the various
clothing establishments, ten thousand persons,
almost all of whom will be out Of employ in a
few days, if this state Of things continues.
~ Y. Mercantile.
One hundred workmen were discharged last
week from an extensive iron foundry. Its COM
puted that t,ro thousand laborers were discharg-
ed by their employers on Saturday, and that
TEN THOUSAND have been thrown out Of employ
within the last fortnight.-M y. Com.
Saturday was a fearful day for all who had
payments to make or wages to receive.
The distress is becoming universal, and all
classes, save only political hacks or leaders, are
taking measures in earnest to make their voice
heard by Congress.-M Y. american.
We regret to say that the pecuniary distress,
which has for some time weighed upon our COM
munity, has not been relieved. 1t would seem
tha al the cOurpaC pf OI1r nrnsppritv for tho
present, completely damned UP. Public conf
dence is wholly destroyed; industry labors al
most without incentive or reward; and enter
prise finds, neither in the present or future, that
which will justify adventure. The distress ap-
pears to have reached the interior. We learn
that the Country Banks are unable to afford
their usual ~favors; the farmers find it difficult
to effect sales Of their produce at a fair rate;
and many Of them, alarmed at the state Of
things, are changing their notes into specie, and
Withdrawing their depOsites to hoard them at
home.-Philadetphia ~hteHigencer.
Extract Of a letter dated
CoLUMBUs, (Geo.) Jan. 10, 1894.
DEAR Sms: We have suffered your note to be
protested. The only apology we have to offer
you is, that, with ample means to pay all our
debts, we could not ommand the amount Of
your claim. Such is the press for money, that,
to raise ii; many have to submit to five per cent.
a month. This We could not stand, &C.
E.rtrdct Of letter dated
New ORLEANS, Dec. 81, 1888.
There is nothing doing here. Money is SO
scarce no one dare buy scarcely, except from
hand to mouth. We are afraid to sell to a pur-
chaser in the upper country, not because he is
not good, and perfectly able to meet his engage
mentS, but because ne cannot negociate has pa
per. The United States Branch will not pay
any neW paper on the west, though it is willing
to help the merchants out with their old. What
We are to do, God only knows.
These extracts Will be sufficient to show the
nature and reality of the distress.
Under such circumstances, we wish we could
see land! from the sea of debate in both houses
OF Congress. But we do not. There are said
to be several Senators who are yet to make set
speeches; and at the conclusion of Mr.. Hunting
toms speech in the House on Tuesday, no less
than four gentlemen at once endeavored to OBJ
tain the floor-Mr. Gorham, Mr.. Vanderpoel,
Mr.. Wise. and MI. Archer--when it was given
by the Chair to Mr.. Archer!
We say there has been enough of speaking:
it is time for ACTION!