The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-03
uonsos for the Worklng CIasses.

kind, since the days of the flood, has scene
of greater horror been presented.
Houses for the Working Glasses.
Ar the recent meeting OF the Social Science
Congress, at Manchester, England, the sub
iect of model lodging-houses for the laboring
classes of the population engaged a great
share of attention. The expediency of en-
trusting their construction to the municipal
or general authorities was earnestly can
vassed by such leading spirits as Lord Shaftes-
bury, but the general results of the debate
warranted the conclusion that such measures
could succeed only when placed In the hands
OF private individuals, or of societies created
Tor theexpress purpose. One of the speakers
stated that there was but single instance in
which the local authorities had availed them
selves of the provisions of the Lodging-House
Act Of 1851, by which they were empowered
to erect tenements for the poorer classes at
the expense of the rates, the income de-
rived therefrom to be credited to the same
account.
The societies which have taken the work
in hand, however, have met with flattering
success. An association, of which Lord
Shaftesbury is President, has purchased the
buildings located in one OF the London courts,
which, as he had long been aware, was a
mere "hotbed OF fever, violence, and immo-
rality." The society caused the houses to be
repaired, whitewashed, and properly venti-
lated, and relaid the pavements, made con-
nections with the main sewers, and provided
generous supply of water. AS the result,
turbulence and disease have been banished,
and the constables, who had not previously
dared to enter the court, except in companies
Of twos and threes, now find it perfectly safe,
but rarely necessary, to go there single
handed There has been no increase in the
rent, and yet the society is receiving return
of at least nine per cent. on the outlay made.
rous donation Of s1oooS56S S56S0tsA steFise tee
Mr.. George Peabody has devoted to pur-
pose similar to this in London. He wisely
did not entrust the execution of his grand
scheme to the municipal authorities, but
Trustees, which contains such names as those
of Charles Francis Adams, the American
Minister, J. Stuart MIL the philanthropst
and economist, and Lord Stanley, the British
Foreign Secretary. among its number. The
Queen, who is, perhaps, without peer among
the sovereigns OF Europe in the anxiety
which she displays to render the condition of
her more humble subjects as comfortable and
as prosperous as possible, has given the
scheme all the encouragement in her power,
by authorizing her special counsel in all cases
to act as attorneys for the Board of Trustees.
Not many years will elapse before the fruits
OF thus magnificent bequest of an American
citizen Will be plainly visible in ameliorating
the condition of the working population of
the metropolis of the world.
In France similar scheme OF gigantic pro.
portions is on loot, but it is proposed that the
wiseacre of the Tuileries shall have the en-
tire manipulation of the funds. 1t starts in
the shape of proposition made to the EN-
peror by the Due de Persigny for the issue of
a poan of 1,0O0,0O0,000 of francs-equal to
2O0,OO0,OOO in gold-a large proportion of
which will, probably, if the whole thing does
not fall through, as is more than likely, be
devoted to the erection of model lodging
houses for the poor. But the prime object of
the whole movement is the occupation of the
working classes, for the sake of keeping their
thoughts from taking mischievous turn.
Having been ignored in the settlement of the
German difficulties, and finding his ill-adyised
adventure in Mexico about to come to naught,
either by way OF profit or of glory, Napoleon
sees clearly that some other and even more
stupendous game of braggadocia is necessary,
if he would not wake up some fine morning
to find the boulevards of Paris barricaded
and the faubourgs seething with revolt. 1t
is said that General Fleury and Baron Hauss-
man have approved the scheme so far as to
recommend its adoption to the Emperor.
But even if an attempt should be made to
carry out any of its details, it is extremely
doubtful if the laboring classes of the French
capital will reap any material benefit from its
results.
In New York, likewise, movement of the
same kind is well under way. Mr.. Alexander
L Stewart has devoted 100000 to the
purpose, and In his hands it cannot fail of sue
cess. Other parties have donated the land
necessary for the erection of an immense
number Of new and improved tenements, in
the occupation of which the laboring classes
viii receive, by way OF return for their pain
full earnings, some considerations other than