Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-17
NO. Il.

her own, and reap all the benefits of supply
ing the foreign demand for such implements
have not the least doubt that large fortunes
are to be made in this line.
Speaking of labor-sOving machines re-
minds me that there is considerable agita-
tion on the subject of laborers in this placs
and their condition. The suffering, priva-
tions, disease and mortality to which these
! poor creatures are subjected are truly de-
plorable. Leaving their homes, they flock
to the city, and engage in such pursuits rs
their case will permit, in hopes Of bettering
their condition, but find, to their misfor-
tune, in few months, that they are almost
hopelessly situated. No provisions being
made for them, or rents being high, the na-
| tive working man is obliged to shift as best
he can. They crowd together generally in
the dirtiest and unhealthiest districts, living
like so many beasts, and breed pestilence,
famine and almost every other evil to them
selves
insert the sUbjoined circular to show Of
cially the truth Of what have said The
circular is addressed to the different compa-
nies in Bombay who employ large bodies of
laborers, and emenates from the municipal
commissioner.
While every one admits that the condition
of the laborers in this city requires amelio-
ration, none but those who are brought
much in contact with them, those who have
seen them huddled together in the filthy
lodging houses of the native town, or packed
in rotten cadjun huts on swamps below the
level Of the sea, can have fully appreciated
the need for immediate action in the matter
How much of the disease in this city is to
be traced to them? What is the mortality
among these classes? 1t is no doubt impos-
sible to estimate with accuracy High,
however, as are the wages they earn, they
are not adequately paid for the risk they
leave their homes to WORK III -B6drts9t they
ally at the peril of their lives. Ten go,
five return" is what they say in their own
villages.
The endeavor to remedy this evil is,
think, one of my first and most important
duties, and | have therefore for some time
been engaged in maturing a scheme,
the details of which need not here enter
upon. Any attempt of mine, however, must
fail without the hearty cooperation of those
who, like yourselves, employ large bodies
of laborers. 1t behooves YOU, not only in
the interests of humanity but for your own
advantage, to better the condition Of your
servants There is no dearth OF labOrers in
the interior any numbers are to be obtained
there; but so long as they are doomed to
defamation in Bombay, 4 small proportion |
only will be tempted from their homes and |
you will continue to complain of the high |
wages of unskilled labor and of discomfort |
and desertiOn among your laborers.
| trust therefore, | may fully reckon on
your support, and that | may be favored
with your own views and suggestions on the
subject, ARTHUR CRAWFORD
Municipal Commissioner.
The English government of late has been
so much concerned in regard TO the (h)awful
condition of our negro. They had better
look TO the laboring class of her MaJesty's
dominions in India, and commence here to
put their charitable intentions into prac-
tice, for we can very well take care of our
own affairs, and il is certainly more than the
British are doing. 1t is rather ludicrous TO
see the odds and ends of civilization scat
tered about India with no other aim than to |
grind out or way or another a comfortable /
and then leave the country, |
meanwhile perfectly oblivious Of the natives,
and compare this state OF affairs with the
ofticious concern of the British government
and press about matters which alone con
Germ us. i think charity and good works
should begin at home; and after the labor !
ing poor are provided for on her own soil,
the government of Britain can find not n !
bit less to do in India.
The population of this place is of that /
molly character usually found in the East.
All colors, Of all races, and every religion.
The list includes pure Europeans, including
soldiers Indo-Britons, lndo-Portuguese, ma
tive Christians, Parsees, Mahommedans,
Hindoos, Brahmins, a few Jews, Jains,
Lingayates or Buddhists, Sidi-African ne
yroes, and other castes. In the aggregate
he population will not fall far short of five
hundred and twenty-five thousand. OF the
native population the Parsees are by all
means the most enterprising, and initiate the
Europeans in evsry particular. The Ex-
,hange here about noon every day presents
curious scene. In front of the building
bout five hundred Of these people may be
cen, dressed in their whites robest and tow
ring red or white turbans, aud all talking a
lind of Sanscrit at the top of their voices,
md with a velocity surprising. The scene
S full of spirit From this same class come
large number Of clerks and subordinates
n the various banks and business houses in
he city. They write and speak English
With great fuency, and are patient industri-
us and economical. From these small be
innings many Of these people now rank
he wealthiest inhabitants of Bombay. The
Iindoo natives also are largely engaged in
he service of Europeans, but, on account of
heir inferiority to the Pgrsees, only occupy
he lowest stations. The Hindos make up
he class of manual laborers, porters, &c.
The religions OF the city are as various {
$ the classes-P -Protestanism, ROmanism, {
re worshipping, OK and idol worship. On
ne 25th of the present month was a great
Iindoo festival, called Ganesh Chathurthi. {
n consequence of this fact all places Of bust :
ess were closed. / may say that policy c
ictates, in business point Of view, leniency
wards the heathe1ish prejudices and OBJ 1
a sances of the different native religions d
n view Of this fact all business was sus- I
ended. The streets on that day during the v
ternoon we're crowded with groups Of Hin d
10 worshippers, preceded by drums and &
ipes, and following a palankeen in which 4
nall idols were conveyed out Of the city, | G
be deposited in a river or the bay, as isthe c
Istom annually Of winding up the festival s.
Ganeth Chathurthi. Between the Chris 4
an and native observance of certain days d
e annual calendar presents goodly num-
n Of holidays. n
In the city there are two principal daily Fl
lpers-the Times of India and the Eom- e
" Gazette. In addition to these there are
veral weekly reviews and annually an al
anac, giving a large amount Of useful in j.
rmatiOn. The places of amusement are h
veral theatres and racket courts. At pres
It, however, all amusements have stopped n
It'll the return Of the fashionable society sa
ON the hills. G
The shipping Of Bombay il extensive, and ii
this moment no less than several hundred Ia
gamers and first class ships lie anchored in p.
1nt Of the city. The regular steam postal
with tl,v V,,tus -Vrld 10 semi "
onthly by the Pcninsular and Oriental +
eamship Company, the departure Of the AZ
xt steamer being announced for September oI
From this point the same company &C
ms semi-monthly steamers 10 Cairo.
From CeyIOn. 4
PoINT DE GALE, Sept. T.
There arc several American gentlemen
re engaged in business, but the only one g
DO representa- really an American interest Il,
Mr. Thompson, the proprietor Of the ice
use American ice brought in ships from
,ston is considered the greatest Of luxuries.
lere are several ice manufacturing ma ~
ines here, but the productions Of art can +, :,
t at all compete with nature. The ice
lde has been carried on for some year. j.
th with Ccylon and India. A ship laden 10
tn American ice arriving in any Of the
stern ports Is cause Of great rejoicing q
d the cargo meets with a rapid consump- ~