The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-19

nent OF our national afars-the statesmen and pot
cans OF countrycoud be made 20 realize the effects
OF their do-nothDg policy the laboring classes the
momentous question by which the country is agitated
and conyulsed would be speedily and satisfactorily ad
justed Never BEFORE in the worst times of hnan
ciai depression there much restitution in the
ranks of labor there is at the present time and tho
prospect is gloomy and saddening in the extreme We
have already pu slshed account of the effects OF the
crisis upon Of the trades, and shown that
in the tailoring business alone at least onehan
the workmen we're out of employment, and that
no less than twenty-cight thousand persons,
young and old, who were dependent upon
them for support have been left without the means OF
subsistence with the exception Of such as have been
enabled 10 part of their earnings and these form
very limited proportion of the whoenumber. visit to
the ofc, Of the Amshouse Department in Bond street.
in which The public charities of New York dispensed
would do much towards disabusing the minds of those
who entertain the idea that there no othor form of SER
vude the world than negro slavery Throughout the
day there is ending crowd of applicants Tor as
distance and frem day to day and week to week
the Same scene is presented. During two weeks there
were ten thousand who applied for coal, and each
one these represented family of from three to some
times as many eight nine members. But these are
not the only applicants for relief there are othors who
receive assistance in the form of money, some who
have been SO Frustrated by want render their
mova the hospital necessary while others again. able
bodied and in respectable looking trades
men, apply to be committed to the workhouse, where
there at least danger of their dying OF starvation,
and where they willing to give their labor in return
for their board. This is one of the phases which
the slavery of poverty and although pain
full contemplate yet there st worse to be found
in the history of desuton IN the great metropolis At
this particular time the result of visit to the Office of the
ho rpad ui
who talk of starvation in the South under the impression
tina, there is nothing but plenty and happiness here in
the great city of New York.
Taking seat beside the gentemany Superintendent
OF the Outdoor Poor Nlr Kelock) and with notebook
in hand we make the following verbatim report of the
different cases they. presented-There are two
apartments, in which the applicants remain until
they attended and the other for the Supernten-
dent who receives them at a window Immediately IN
front Of his desk, and to which they are admitted
in order; and the task which he has to perform
ia certainly 20 easy one, for the applications are
go varied and the applicants themselves are so
numerous, and have such different statements
TO make that it requires something more than usual pa
tience discrimination and business despatch to attend
TO them all There are now at least dozen faces who
are eagerly peerng in through the window, anxiousy
waiting their make their wants known; and 1t
painfu to see the tra,es which sickness and desuton
M were become Injured poverty, and whose sensi
tive feelings have long since been bunted by continued
begging while there are others who have just been
reduced to the ranks of pauperism, and who
have been forced by actual hunger OF them
selves families TO apply for relief Tho first who pre-
sents himself a tailor and the following dialogue takes
place between him and the Superintendent
GLOW long have you been out of employment
~ haven't had anything to do in twelve months
care you a good workman
eyes, sir; can do my work well when got it"
care you a member Of any benevolent society,"
ssNo, sir"
care there many Of your trade out OF employ menp'
az know great many who can't get an. thing TO do. y
1what is the cause of it2'
at Is the troubles in the South, and there will be little
10 be got until it is settled"
The Superintendent attended to his application and
another man presented himsclfone who had evidently
not been in the habit if might Judge from his ap-
pearance OF asking aims
Glow long are you in this country" Mr. Kellock in
quires.
sTen years )" is the answer.
oHave you any family
eyes sir; Ihaye a wife and Ave children, and the old
ost is only nire years OF age"
twhat trade are your
81 am a house painter
'where have you been living during the ten years-n
this city,"
oNo SIR for the last five years out in the Western
country--n the states Of Illinois aud Iowa
GLOW long have you been out of work."
~ have had Az thing TO do since the week before
Christmas"
"How long have you been In New York;"
sinco September and since then with the work got
hadn't much chance 10 anything"
GLOW came you to get discharged Generally speak
irg you don have much work in the winter
0well. yes sir, we sometimes have work, but 1t has
been very hard to get 1T this winter"
This applicant was also toM he would receive assist
ance and the next, poor wonanso poor looking that
there could be mistaklng the character Of the petit
ton-presented herself
''when, SIR said she, ''wLl we be called uponf'
s'In the course Of few days"
This was all and she turned away evidently salts
ned that her wants would be attended to; and as
she passed from the window hes place was taken BY
n man about nifty Ave years Of age, who, stun In the
midst Of his poverty, bore the appearance OF respect
ability although his well clothes had long since
lost all claim TO that title.
ftwhat do you want" said Mr. Kelock.
al want to 20 TO the workhouse."
"What trade are YOU
81 am a shoemaker"
Glow lorg have you been in this country
"Nine years
"wae you ever in the workhouse before"
"Yes, sir"
"why do you want 10 50 now''
"Times 80 bad can't get anything to do at my
trade have been looking for something 70 do for the
last two weeks and can't nni it,"
"Hays you any family"
mo cir, none but myself"
"wtn," said Mr.. Kenock, "you want TO be committed
70 the workhouse.r
eyes cir" said the man, al want 10 get In"
Here, then, here, you go and so saying the su-
eriniendent handed him the document necessary to
procure his admission for two months To say that he
sa,nhed at the success his application would con.
vey but faint idea q his feelings. If the expression Of
mans face fair index Of the state of his mind, that
poor old shoemaker was a. delighted AZ a man could be
who was saved from starvation, although be was obliged
to enter into voluntary servtudo. His case was terri
BILE commentary that false philanthropy which ia in