The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-17
CITY NTELLIGENCE.

1l4 cts.
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
THE PooR.-The condition of the poor this winter
is than it has been for many in tn past and
the demand for charity consequently much greater
In idition to the usual poor who have suffered
long from want, until they have almost become the
acknowledged children OF misery, there are hun
dreds in the city who have heretofore provided
though scantiy for themselves but having lost
employment they are destitute, and daily and
nightly suffer from the pangs of hunger and the in
cemency of winter. Hundreds of widowed moth
ers, with children clinging to their sides, who have
worn their lives away in patient, accomplishing
toll, are deprived of the opportunities Of earning
the small pttance which is necessary to keep the
horrors of want from their doors. They seek
in vain for the needle-work which former
ly made their misery bearabe. Hourly
from early until long after the shades of night
have settled down the city, they can be seen
vending their way through the Streets stopping at
every clothing-house, in search of employment,
only to be disappointed and return to their cheer
less homes, with the marks of grief and sorrow
deeply and indelibly impressed in their faces
Many of them have not only to struggle against
want, but disease. Emaciated, toil-worn, disconso-
late, throughout the day and the long night, they
sit in their cOmfortless homes stilling and soothing
as well as they can, the entreaties of their off
spring, who with hungry eyes and pleading tongues
ask for bread. Ask, but in vain! Night after
night they are hushed to sleep with the promise of
food on the morrow, and wake in the morning to
renew their peadings. Some may say, that suf-
fering such this cannot exist in the city. There
are instances of death from starvation, and con-
sequenty all people find bread to eat. 1t is true
none have vet starved And is also true tn at the su
ferlng as described above, exists in hundreds of
homes in this city. There are but few instances in
any community where persons die of starvation.
The reason of this is, that when they have suffered
all that humanity suffer, snort of death, they
in ha m thn Nn1ia fnfsp
where their wants made known and relieved
Not day passes but some poor woman, who has
suffered patiently with the hope that relief would
come, is to be the street, or pleading at the
doors Of alluence, by telling her story of misery
for bread for herself and little ones. In many
cases it is only when fierce hunger has devoured
every sense of decacy, that they turn mendcants
and beg for aims. In city where there is so much
wealth, where there is plenty, and abundance to
spare-no individual should be allowed to suffer from
want. 1t is duty the community owes to ITSELF to
provide for its poor-and those who neglect the dis
charge of this duty, incur a fearful RESPONSE
bility. Charity should be given freely and
without stint, for in this consists its virtue. Those
who daily live upon the Injuries of life
surrounded by all the blessings and pleasures
which the heart Graves will find fruitful source
whereby they may increase their happiness, if they
give but mite of their plenty to the poor Chari-
ty is the chief of all virtues. 1t is the manifest
trait of manhood, and the crown jewel in the char
acter of woman. An opportunity is now offered for
its exercise-a demand is made for its dispensaon.
Let there be response which will drive the demon
want from the doors of the suffering poor. In this
connection we mention the fact that Friday
morning next Mr.. A. NJ Gilmour will distribute
one thousand loaves of bread to the poor of the
city, from his bakery No. 243 West Pratt street.
between Howard and Sharp streets. This is COM
mendable and the act will bring its own reward.
A FLOOD OF JEwELRy.-Y esterday morning, as
the reporter was passing along Baltimore street
he was addressed by boy, with 'have you read
the proclamation" at the same time extending Il
hand bill. Thinking that the Governor had let
himself down as easy as possible from his high po.
sition, and had concluded to convene the Legisla-
ture, or perhaps summoned convention of the
people, the hand bill was eagerly seized and read
1t was procamation-not from the Governor,
by Mr.. Daniel W. Riddle, informing the people
that at No. III Baltimore street, j,welry given
away, or rather that for 81, articles in value
ging from SIS to $50, could be purch ased. The
reporter hurried to the scene, not with the expec
tation of purchasing, (not having the dollar, but
to see the sights. On arriving at the door difficult
ty experienced in entering, as the apartment
was thronged. The majority in attendance were
ladies. Mrs. Toodles was there, purchasing, for
other reason than because it $50 handy to have
the things in the house." Gentlemen and ladies
from the country were in attendance, and as they
have seldom such an opportunity, they buy
ing at furious rate. Every class in society," able
to raise the precious dollar, had their representa-
tivss at the counter, eagerly selecting the most
valuable, to their view, of the articles exhibited.
All the day through the crowd was kept up, and
at times the store was so thronged that persons,
mostly ladies' were to be seen pacing up and down
the pavement, anxiously waiting an opportunity
to get in. The dollar store has clearly created
sensation.
The PAGoDA.-Some weeks since a description of
the Pagoda as It cas, appeared in the Exchange. 1t
is now proposed to notice the Pagoda 1t as A
thorough reformation has taken place. and the
Old Museum is now nightly filled by respectable
audience to witness not only decent but interesting
performances. The serious objections which for
merly existed have been removed, and the enter
tainments is strictly within the bounds of
propriety. Good order prevails in every part OF
the house, and the former demonstrations of the
rough element in the lobby and around the bar
are no longer enacted. The exhibition miscellane-
Gus in character is quite good land the performers
for the most part, prominent in their profession.
the principle songstress, Miss Fanny Forrest, is
young and pretty, and possesses voice OF much
strength, clearness, and sweetness of tone. The
dancing, negro eccentricities and comic singing
fully up to the usual standard. The manage
ment no doubt finds that an entertainment of
light character, given in such manner as to
amuse without demoralizng, is fully as well pat
rOnized and equally profitable as one where the
proprieties OF life violated Baltimore should
have place of amusement where an hour can be
spent in laughing at the portratures of the foles
pecuarties and eccentricities of character, which
assist in making up the world. 1t should there
fore be the aim of a manager to present the differ
ent phases of life, correctly, never forgetting, how
ever, the respect which is due decent public
opinion. That performance OF this kind will be
literally supported in this city there can be no
doubt, and the proprietor of the Pagoda will find
all his efforts tending to the production of such an
entertainment warmly seconded by the lovers of
mirth.
THREATENING To SHooT.-Yes esterday afternoon
officer Crawford was passing along Dover street.,
between Emory and Penn streets his attention was
attracted by noise in the house of John Nc
Laughn, deniZen of that street. When the ofIi-
Ger approached he found that John was beating his
wife, and besides Lad knife in his hand, threaten
! ing terrible things. The officer mildly asked him
| to quiet down, when the amiable husband turned
upon the city official and drew pistol, saying he
wanted none of his interference. The officer then
| procured warrant from Justice Showacre and ar
rested Mclaughlin, who was committed to answer
before Court. While at the magistrates Office
Mclaughlin laid upon the floor, and gave vent to
his injured feelings by wailing loudly causing much
merriment. The man drunk.
FIRE.-An alarm of fire was given at half past
two o'clock Yesterday paorning, occasioned by fire
being discovered in dwelling No. 137 East Bati-
more street, occupied by Mr.. John Welch, and
owned by Philip Sauntner The origin of the fire
accidental. The afternoon of the previous
day fire was built on the hearth of one of the
rooms Of the second story, and, as in many other
cases. the heat of the bricks fred the iois on which
they rested. Fortunately the fire was discovered
/ before it had gained much headwav and was ex-
| tinguished without the necessity of the Fire De-
/
rafters is fruitful source of fires, and should
! be prohibited by law In most of the large cities
the plan is forbidden, and it should be in this city,
The loss in this instance is but slight and is covered
| by insurance.
| Ice IN THE BAY.-Yesterday morning the steam
| er Pioneer, Captain Narman, left her whe erf for
Annapolis, but on reaching Sandy Hook, encoun-
tered field of ice stretching clear across the bay.
In endeavoring to force her way through she was
badly cut by the ice and was compelled to return
to the city. Capt. Narman reports that he saw
several vessels amid the ice, but owing to fog he
could not make them out. The Bay line of stea
mers and the Boston line of steamships have not
suffered from the ice nor does it seriously inter
fere with their movements. There is but very little
| ice in the harbor.
ARREST ON A BENCH WARRANT.-On Tuesday
night man named Martin Reitz was arrested on
the charge of not answering the complaint of the
State at the Court of Anne Arundel county. Reitz
was arrested in this city time since for dealing
in lottery policies, and removed his case to Annapo
lis, where, its being called, he failed to appear
He was committed TO Jail by the order Of ths
authorities Of Anne Arundel county.