Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-17
The PinchIngs of Poverty.

1
The remark, that one half of the world
know not how the other halt subsls', mas
been forcibly recalled to mind by statement
which We see going the rounds IN our eA-
changes, and which we believe originated IN
the New York Tribune. The prvatons
which many of the poorer class encounter 10
the great city Of New York, with Its mer-
chant princes, palarial residences, and bound
less extravaganza, appear really incredi bile.
Our contemporary, however, furnishes facts
| and figures which are the best Of arguments,
| aud which in the main may be taken as in-
controvertible. 1t is estimated, for instance
that in the first, second, fourth, fifth and
sixth wards, only, there are about four hun
dred and fifty lodging houses Of very inferior
character. The average number of male and
female dodgers every night throughout the
year, is said t. be about %, or total of H.
$50 persons. Three thousand pay as high as
three cents per night for the privileges pecu-
liar to lodging house at that price; four
thous sand paw six cents, and the remainder
twelve cents per night. Thus about $50 for
three cent beds. S240 for six cent beds, and
$500 for II cent beds-or a total of $40 is
paid every night for the most Indifferent kind
OF accommodation in the name OF lodgings.
The amount annually, excepting every sew
enth night, (which, III most cases ls thrown
in by the most magnanimous proprietors.) Is
not less than S264 900. More than half this
sum. or nj least $3.50, 900 of this amount, bc-
sides large quantities of clothing and vic
tuals, are procured from people who pay no
more than shilling a night for their lcds.
ings or rents.
A large number Of three cent places are
under ground; the accom- datlOns being a
"kind OF fire 10 some corner or other" seVe-
raj shavings covered over with fabrics OF
questionable character, the relics OF char
or stool, and mayhap table OF lncalculabie
origin. The Light OF the world" is occasion
ally admitted by door, or If anything
should steal or otherwise abstract the bundle
of shavings from the window, then fer time
light gets in by it's legitimate channel. The
ventilation Of the premises Is not described,
because that were simply impossible.
In the sixpenny houses, shavings, straw,
and various other collections OF material con-
stitute the resting spot for dodgers. ln many
of them the aspect is much the same as that
presented by the torecaste OF an English yes
sci, excepting the absence OF decen; white
wash. Hammocks may be observed sIung
between the riders of the apartments, while
regions of darkness lay beyond human scan.
the interior Of which the bOldness of explura-
ton only would be able to describe.
The shilling, or twelve cent houses, are
on a more respectable scale. The sheets
on the beds are not allowed TO be cleaned
oftener than once in six weeks. Not more
than four persons are expected to sleep IN
one bed at the same time, and five or SIX
beds may be found in some rooms large
enough for two persons only under ord'na-
~ circumstances. 1t is also stated that in
many of these houses run is sold. much
to the sacrifice of the peace Of the commu-
nifty.
What a horrible picture is presented in
the foregoing statement OF facts How
many who lie down at night on beds as
soft as swans down, in comfortable cham
bers, and with coverlids thick and warm,
think of the thousands who are packed away
in the miserable rags and filthy cellars OF
New York city alone