Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-30
THE DISTRESS IN NEW YORK CITY.


never has there been occasion for sympathy and
charity. Those who fare sumptuously who are album
dainty fed and clothed who comfortably housed and
who see their way through the winter without any posi-
bity of want owe 1t to themselves and their freedom
from distress lend helping hand to the poor. What
makes the distress keen is the ncemen season and
the absence Of occupation Work begged for prayed
for and sought for every where Amy kind Of work. for
almost any kind of pay offered and must continue to
be offered while many thousands Of aborer out Of
employ Almost the first charity therefore, next to feed
ing the hungry is give work to the poor Employ as
many mechanics possible use as much labor as you
can afford to pay for Give work to needle women Buy
your garments for household and personal for
long time to come. At present prices there is economy
in this Cloth is cheap labor is cheap all kinds of wear
ing apparel are cheap furniture is cheap; all sorts OF
Injuries and fancy goods cheap. house be
furnished cheaply than for half score OF years
past and the working men in the Park upon the wrong
scent when they abuse the men and women Broadway
who spending their surplus cash for any thing which
is the product Of labor There are two phases to this
question: The is extravaganza, which is
mendabe and the other Is the practical bearing Of ex
travagance upon labor. II 900 is spent upon
dwelling the great bulk of goes to pay for laborthe
labor carpenters painters, stonecutters found
ers plumbers artists, diggers in the earth There is
stone be quarred out sand to be drawn, lime to be
made and the bulk Of this is expended upon labor The
capitalists and rich Of the city, therefore, could not
do the poor greater charity than by giving employment
to the poor and they must do this to some extent or
contribute otherwise to their support
In the mean time however, the wants of the commune
y are pressing Our doors thronged daily with
beggars 1t requires servant to the constant
knocking at doors and ringing at bells Of the poor who
beg for bread and covering. Neither dwellings
places Of business free from those intrusons
Our and hourly appeals for charity
and the effect must be either to harden soften
hearts IT, therefore, charity was ever necessary, 1t is
now and every must feel the force Of that proverb
upon such occasions which says "he gives douby who
gives quickly"
There is hardly any portion Of city exempt from
these constant calls. Hundreds Of wives and mothers
are engaged in the good work Of helping the poor children
Thousands Of German and Irish children daily taught
to read and for four or five hours day, and fed
with at least good meal day. This must be kept
up through the winter.
The city institutions for the support Of the poor
FULL and system of charity above and beyond this
is necessary There should be ward and district ogan
cations, soup-houses, lodging rooms coarse but warm
clothing God forbid that anybody should freeze and
starye city like this but hundreds will freeze and
starve if they are not helped
The resolution of the Councimen appropriating ten
thousand dollars to be used by the society for the relief
of the poor CONQUERED in by the Aldermen last
ing There was but little debate. and what little there
was given rise to by motion of Alderman Howard
to make the appropriation twenty thousand dollars This
however, voted down. it being argued that ten thou
sand dollars enough at time, and if more was
needed it could be appropriated at another time The
vote the amendment, however, was close oneeght
to nine.
The appropriation made by the Councilmen of hun
ded and Twenty-Five thousand dollars, to be placed at the
disposal of the Governors of the Almshouse to supply
deficiencies and meet the coming expenditures OF the
present year. also agreed to by the Aldermen last
evening.
MECHANICS MEETING IN THE PARK.
number Of the mechanics and others out Of employ
yesterday afternoon in the Park to adopt mea-
sures of protection from want
At o'clock the meeting called to order, and e.
If IouN fnok no air Il q q
secretary The following resolutions, being put, were
unanimously adopted
wHEnE.s there thousands owaborers this
thrown out Of and IN thereof are suffering
institution whether supported BY the public private
svs state nos
the mechanic aboer cannot be
speuistion and addition this gnaon
pSv aas srea
these sufferers requires immediate relief to be
I On % 5 70.
state Of things continue much before there will be
Therefore rssce THAT addition the committee of
solicit subscriptions for the relief q the poor mechanic and abore
subscription '1sN - = r. s''Sl' c..
relief in said Ward receptacle of casto cloth
That all sober and industrious mechanics who are out
has received BY the superintendent of such Ward wherein the
party applying may reside.
their aid to th employing those who may
thrown upon the hands Of the association.
John w. Bryce, ESQ., then introduced. He spoke at
length the improperly of Of wealth meeting for
political purposes WHILE when the interests of the mechanic
| stake, they not to be found.
Mr. Reyea then addressed the meeting He thought that
the city had who would up this Of relief
He could think that of wealth cam after coming the
sweat and blood of the refuse their
and give few cents relieve the esses of poverty in
dueed by the wealthy mans and speculation
Eugene Sullivan thought it the duty of the poor demand
Of the city the that The mechanics and Ia
bores ployed such and such time.
He thought that this should have been looked instead Of
canyassng for political parties He advocated the
prevention of the export Of He in the
marks of Dr. Young the land question Of the previous
evening.
buchanan received with cheers. He blamed spocu
lation the existing distress He thought each ent
tied his share Of the produce Of the earth. The whole
scheme of legislation has been for rob the mechanic
enrich the already rich He advocated Using
treat the officers Of buncombe and nsolvent banks to
coat Of tar and feathers.
the rule capital the rule of right Thought the work
ing does not enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Consh
tuition the Declaration ofs Independence for work is not
given the poor that he enjoy life in the pursuit
of happiness He proposed to call meeting in hall
where would have pleasure of addressing audience
renee of distress.
w. f. Young then spoke. He advocated demand the
for assistance He urged them not to submit to
the oppression of the Government mt Washington in shutting
the fair land of Kansas for few arisocrats who desire to
introduce slavery.
After further remarks the meeting adjourned until
Tuesday evening next
COMMENTS EXPRESS
The "mechancs" and "workingmen who assembled
In the Park afternoon IN consult in reference