Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-31
GEORGETOWN CORRESPONDENCE
GEORGETOWN, Jan. 81, l85

GEORGETOWN, Jan. 81, 1856.
Probably no two winters for the last forty
years has been so very oppressive upon per-
sons in moderate circumstances such as me.
chanics and laboring men generally, as this
and the preceding-not that we have not had
several OF nearly, if not equal, severity as
regards the cold, but because of the enormous
prices OF almost all kinds Of food. fuel &c
hen we look at the matter automatically,
apd compare what it costs to procure the COM
monest necessaries of life with the wages gen
orally received by mechanics, DO, we cannot
put express our surprise how many worthy
families manage TO sustain themselves as well
as they do. The disparity between the ad-
vance in the price Of living and the rates of
wages is much greater than most persons i'm
aglne. With the hope, therefore, of throw
ing some little light upon the subject, and in
duclng, If possible, employers generally to
be more liberal toward those who labor for
them: we have made the following estimates
OF what 1t costs at this time for family of
six persons to live, what it would have cost
them few years ago, and the rate of wages
now and the rate then, which show that while
the necessaries of life have advanced over sixty
per cent, wages generally have not advanced
on an average of twenty. few years since
mechanics wages ranged from 81 Is to 81 so
per day, or $32 so to $50 per month, and la
oOISAS nv" o. ~ w 81 pCf Jay, VI o. ID "
$26 per month. Now, the mechanic receives
from 81 so to 81 10 per day, or $50 to S45 so
per month, and the laborer from ST. to 81 Is
per day, or $40 to $50 so per month. The
following estimate Of provisions necessary for
family of six persons for one month, will,
we think, be acknowledged to be reasonable :.
Flour, Of Dbl, s7.12i; meat of all kinds,
80 lbs or lbs; per day, S1l Is; coffee, 8
lbs 81 20; tea, ID soc; potatoes, 1 bus,
sI.25; corn meal, 1 bus, ST. Is; sugar, Is lbs,
81 30; butter, ID lbs, 81 50; wood, cord,
81 30; house rent. So; lard, light, salt, soap,
vegetables, DC, $3-total, at present prices,
S430 The same articles, Of like amount, q
| few years ago, would have cost S25 4O--show-
ing, as We before remarked, an advance in
prices of over sixty per cent while the ad-
vance In wages is less than twenty per cent
This view of the question leaves no room to
wonder why many families who have hereto
fjre supported themselves comfortably by their
own industry now have to ask assistance from
the more fortunate to keep from suffering for
the necessaries of life.
We regret to learn that Mr. s. II Howell,
one of our w alter street merchants, met with
an accident yesterday that will doubtless con-
fine him to his room for some time While
passing up Bridge street in his sleigh his
horse was frightened by number of reckless
boys, and running off capsized the Sleigh
throwing Mr. Howell out with such violence
as to break one of his legs near the knee It
IS time, We think, that the police should inter-
fere to restrain the recklessness of the boys
This is considered by many TO be the coolest
morning of the season.
notwithstanding tho much that has been
done there is still great suffering among the
poor OF our city, we would suggest that pub
lie meeting be called to take steps for their
more general relief. I'D. =. - -
Coroner Thomas Woodward held an inouest
yesterday morning over the body of cofored
woman named Mary Newton, found dead in
an old frame tenement near the eastern ter.
minue Of Beall street The Jury, after hear
ing all the testimony, rendered q verdict that
her death resulted from intemperance, want
OF proper food, and exposure during the pres
ent very severe weather - 80.
The Presbytery Of the Bridge street church
refused last night to accept the resignation of
the Rev. Mr.. Atkinson. more striking evil
dence Of his popularity among the oongrega-
tion which he has been serving for a number
o. years, could not be given, and We sincerely
hope that he will reconsider his intention,
and still continue where his valuable services
have been, and still are, 50 very acceptable.
Messrs. P. Dodge, Guild, Edes Cropley,
Pickrell, and others, left our city yesterday
morning en- route for Richmond, Va to at
tend the Southern Commercial Convention.
The packets Hamilton and Arctic are both
veiom, anu INC Snaso 10 In ot mary q rlver;
the Fidelia has gone to New Orleans. -oyE
From present indications the stock of wood
and coal in the yards Of dealers will be sufi-
cient, with the large quantities daily coming
in from tho country, to take US through the
winter. 81 .t'flI1 80 - - .
Tho -four market remains frm At about
80 ooaS IS. Stock light and sales small, con-
lined wholly to the retail trade Wheat from
vi 70 to III IS for red and white of good quail
tiles. Corn 72a74c; oats 42a45c; corn meal
goo. Pork from wagons 81. SCAT. rs, from stores
%, quality generally unusually Ans, e.
pscially the large, quantities always on hard