Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-10-02

tSt sA W OECehktEa
The startling nature of the statements in rela.
ton to the statistics of vice in our city, made in
sermon lately preached by the Rev. Mr. Way
land, and more recently endorsed and repeated in
a temperance meeting in Warren Hall are attract
ing and very justly, much attention.
According to the printed report of the sermon,
Mr.. Wayland states that there are three hundred
places in the city where intoxicating liquors are
sold; that nearly all our hotels, apothecaries,
eating saloons, and groceries sell them and
that, in particular, one large sign can be seen
with the words, wines, liquors, &c, for SALE
Seeking for sign, he need not have gone to
Washington Square, Front street and the church
doors could have furnished him an example much
nearer home. But as the City Government could
in no way be made responsible for that great scan
da, no mention was made of it.
There are in the whole city about fifty grocer
les, thirty saloons and eating houses, ten hotels
ten billiard and bowling saloons, and eleven
apothecaries. Of these establishments, many do
not sell intoxicating liquors at all, and still
greater number deal in them to so limited an ex-
tent as not to be deemed, by the most ultra nuis-
ances that should be abated by one of Judge
Shaw's legal mObs Deducting these where are
the other two hundred two hundred and fifty
places referred to. There is little doubt although
III,
that intoxicating liquors are kept under beds, in
cellars, and other hidden places, in many house
in the city, where gallon Jug constitutes the
whole stock for use or trade; but are these miser
able establishments, merely guessed at by Mr.
Wayland, counted to swell his figures and how
does he think they are to be suppressed by the
City Government, when Judge Shaw, even, ex-
cepts them from the application of his decision !?
The truth is, there are not one hundred places in
the city where Intoxicating liquors are sold, and
the keepers OF atirty.ta of these have been com
planned OF by the police during the last three
months. Several of the worst of them have
already been closed, and the business is
not prosecuted more openly or more extensive
ly, than. considering the natural increase of pop
nlation and business, it has been during the last
Ave years.
Mr.. Wayland again says we have eight hun
dred paupers to support. He should, in fairness
have stated that his facts, such as they are were
obtained from the report Of the Overseers Of the
Poor for the last year, made before the present
corrupt government came into power. According
to that report nearly one thousand persons re-.
oeived assistance from the city during the year
Now, there is very important difference between
receiving assistance and being supported bv tho
city. Does the rich parent support his son, be
cause, IN consequence OF sickness, or misfortune
or want of employment, he is called upon TO rem
der him slight temporary aid The city support.
| ed, last year, at the Aims House, on an average.
| twenty persons, and only rendered assistance
there to seventy six. Seven were supported al
the Lunatic Hospital, and twelve received weekly
allowances at their misunderstanding only forty
| persons who were actually maintained 6y the
| city, and only ninety-ive who received any per.
manent aid. OF the other nine hundred men.
toned in the report, they were aided in various
degrees, from a foot Of wood, or a dollars worth
| Of groceries, up TO weeks or a month 8 support
| at their homes, or in the Aims House; and fol
\ even this pittance, SO begrudged them, many o.
| them work I'd for the city at fity-cents day. 81
much for Mr.. Wayland's eight hundred paupers
One word as to the cost Of maintaining them
The city last year expended S9ll7 for the poor
OF this sum, 1856 was for permanent improve
ments in and about the Aims House, Sl006 fo
the support Of paupers at the Hospital and Coun
~ House, S3l72 for the expenses OF the Aim
House, and 500 for salaries Of oficers--amount
ing to S6933. This sum was expended in tn
support Of tho ninety persons who received per
manent assistance from the city. The remaininl
sum Of 5000 was distributed among the othe
nine hundred paupers-as they are uniustIy call
ed--averagDg about three dollars and half /,
an individual A meagre support, truly AM
this is the manner in which one thousand Of GU
eitizens-made paupers by intemperance, accord
ing tc Mr. Wayland-are supported BY the city.
The remaining part Of the sermon will con
slider. L.