Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-06-22
The Destitution of our Laboring Popu
| Iation-Statement of Individual cases
The Working of our plan

In the last issue OF our paper We stated
the fact that large portion Of our labor
ing population are now out of work and
have no means of providing for their sub
sistance and that Of their families, and pro-
posed plan for their relief. At that time
of destitution among them. We dealt almost
entirely in generalities which We're furnish
ed to us by parties who had opportunities
to learn their real circumstances
During yesterday large number of la
boring men of all classes called at our count
ing room, gave their names, residences, the
number Of persons of which their families
consisted and length of time which they
had been out of work-and We are now
prepared, instead to dealing in generalities,
to descend to details, and prove by referr-
ing to actual cases, that many persons in
our city unable to procure work are ac-
tually suffering for want Of food.
The persons calling upon us were with
out exception strong, healthy, able bodied
and sober men, willing and anxious to work
In any place, and almost upon any terms, for
the sake of earning little money for the
support of their wives and children. The
imputation which has been thrown out
against them, that they are unwilling to
to work unless they can find employment in
town, or unless they can get the prices of
last year, we know to be untrue. All of the
persons who have called upon us, with one
or two exceptions, who had good reasons for
wishing to remain in town. expressed them
selves ready to work any where. either in
the city or country, and for almost any wa
ges which will be offered.
We have arranged the applicants for Ia
Dor by numbers, te following arc few OF
the cases:
No. l. Lives on Mitchell's place on Fifth
street has q wife who is blind, and two
children has been out of work ten months;
has endeavored to find employment, but
has been unable, and is now actually in
need of some way Of earning little money.
His blind wife and small children need his
presence in the morning and evening. and
he does not, therefore, wish to go out OF
town.
No 2. Is twenty two years of age
Strong sober and Industrious. Has wife
but no chlldren-Has been out of work
several months-Is willing to go anywhere
for work.
No. 3. Has wife but no children-llas
been out of work since the middle of winter
and Is in need of money-Has a shanty and
would prefer not to go into the country as
he wishes to be at home at night.
No. 4. Has wife and two small chill
dren-Has been out of work since Sep
tember last ard is willing to work anywhere
where he can get employment.
The above cases taken as the persons came
in, are fair specimen of large NUN Der OF
caseswhich we have recorded upon our book
The facts are presented to the public a nd
an opportunity ls oHered LOT eacH ohe WI"
dou bts the destitution of the laoorers, TO ex-
anime for himself whether our statement is
true.
Will the good citizens of Davenport an
swer the call and lend helping hand. We
once more invite all persons out OF employ
ment and all persons willing TO emyloy them
and all merchants and other citizens who
are willing to contribute money, go ods, or
any other article Of value to call and regis
ter their names in our book. We hope to
record in the next issue of our paper the fact
that the necessities of many persons have
been relieved. and many honest laborers fur
nished with employment through the ne
dunn Of our plan.