New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-03
rconomicaI Residences FOR the Poor.

Economical Residences Tor the Poor.
We copied, Feb &C. an article from Boston pa
per, stating that capitalists N that city had in
vested few thousand dollars in buildings which
were calculated 10 Increase the comforts of the poor
and furnish them low rents
WHY could no, this idea be taken up by some OF
he wealthy and benevolent men of our own city,
md be carried out upon larger and more econom-
ral scslel Among the various external circum-
tapces which exercise an influence upon the Mo
nifty Of Man, no one perhaps is grea. as his hab-
tstior as II governs to considerable extent his
eternal social, or domestic life and his family rea
ions Besides shelter liz tho first of human wants
our climate, and if this want can be urnished 10
the poor at cheaper rates than at present it would
truly be blessing TO them, and an honor 10 those
who conferred it,
A few wealthy meu In our city could pat an en-
erprisc of the kind in execution aud without any
oa to themselves. There are liberal men among
Us, who have made large donations for charitable
purposes let one or two, or three of them take the
aad in this truly charitable undertaking. and they
would confer benefit upon many of their fellow
creatures which would he lasting in its operation
and effects
The following s briei and imperec; sketch OF
lplan which we would propose
Let piece Of land be obtained in the upper part
Ci the city, on which there prc no buildings We
would recommend that il should be about two hun
drcd ;eet square this would test The experiment
Upon large scale, which is desirable, as profit and
economy result only from extensive combinations.
A-opo1 ,Lo anuor.. h, bniI, roncC nj
co1ses, or rather one continuous edi6ce leaving a
lTge and airy court III she center.
The building shoaid DC three stories high and
sst upon n spacious basement
The fret ana second stories would be divided OIL
MO larger aud smaller apartments for iamiiics more
O, less numerous with different rates OF rent, reCu
sied according 10 the size OF the apartments. The
bird story would be finished OFF partly for work
asops for some lighter branches of mechanical
works like tailoring. millinery Sc. and partly for
lodgings for single men.
4 part of the basement would be appropriated 10
Ecrkshops-from which, however, noisy or un-
slsanly occupations should be eScluded--and the
remainder to kitchens Mushrooms and storehouses
The buildings or apartments should be separated
BY division walls. sufficiently thick 10 prevent all
ao!se from being heard from one to the other. No
common hall should run lenCthwisc through the
centre OF the building the entrances should be
ION the front and rear from piazza the length Of
he edifce
The object OF the founders should be 10 secure 10
ne Poor the greatest economies possible in rent,
nel light living, &c and Jointly with these econo-
css ali the comforts attainabie. Let US rccollect
aa; The undertaking is first OF all benevolent and
charitable one, although II is expected TO pay Its
Nay that ia, pay interest or the Investment
Otherwise il could no; sustain itself and furnish
example That would lead 10 imitation. lie; Us point
q I. - 1
soud be adopted
The Building should be heated by che large fur
naee, aud thus save the expense Of stoves and
crates, and the OF fuel and labor in attending
20 tres, incurred under the present system. Regis
zen would be placed In the apartments and work
soops, and an assessment would be levied on each
anly according to the number OF registers used
iheprice charged should be su!icien; only 10 cover
ne actual expenses. This could be made great
soaIce OF comfor, and economy 10 the inhabitants,
9endes means of security agans; fires.
Ahe building should be supplied throughout with
,Ser by ;ubes running to ali parts Of il and thus
saufd abundan, means of cleanliness. which ia one
@por'an, condition OF health.
iarge wash.room. supplied with every convc-
.fnee Tor washing and ironing, should be fitted up
ne basement. where The families could do this
S'aach OF domestic lsbor. 4 system OF coopera-
&n could be introduced by judicous managers.
Saiee would great deal OF useless labor TO
80 wives OF the poor, and prevent the dirt and III
Ssven'encc pow attendsn; upon washing in their
private dwellings,
iee most importan, innovation, however, but
zoe zoe which could be easily introduced and success
'ay e,'ablished if directed by competent persons
Id be 10 construct TWO three large kitchens in
Ss Basement where the food for all the families
sa.as IN ihe building, could be prepared. /; would
- great point gained il system could be pu,
sopesa'ion which would induce The families TO
,Sss Tor the purpose OF procuring and preparing
Eel, en ood on large scale. The advantages so
detail wa pow ''eH' o'' soine"hs' ~
,.. 81 Provisions could be boueh, by some compe-
NJ person at wholesale and n, the lowest cash
ooHes-thus securing cheapness and goodness of
cbssay, ana avoiding the thousands of little pur-
o. al and 'narketings, which now necessary.
@onomized
~. Sd Three-fourths of the time and labor of wo.
ron in preparing food separately for families
oSo Ssa De saved as onequar,er Of The number OF
lie Is,s ~ Present necessary could do the cooking in