The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-01
Homes for the LabOring Glasses.


accommodations for the laboring classes OF
the population of our large cities is receiving
marked attention at the present time. 1T is
a matter which lies at the very root of our
national prosperity, in social, moral, and
sanitary point of view. The ignorance, vice,
and misery in which the lower classes of the
great European capitals are born and bred
are owing more directly to their cramped and
unhealthy lodgings than to any other cause.
This fact is beginning TO be appreciated by
the philanthropists and economists OF the Old
World, and many of them are now engaged
in a laudable effort to better the condition OF
the masses of the people in this respect
Although we are. in this country, in great
measure free from the evils which prevail to
such fearful extent in the larger European
towns, there is nevertheless a great and
pressing necessity for our moving imme-
diately and earnestly in the matter.
This holds true more especially with regard
to New York city. Owing to the peculiar
Ooufguration of the land on which the COM
mercial metropolis is built, the greatest need,
and the one which 1t is the most difficult to
supply is that of room. 1t is in such demand
for the purposes of business, and for the cree
ton of dwellings for the more wealthy and
9ristOcratic classes, that the laboring man
has been forced to go to the very outskirts of
the city, if he would enjoy the comforts of a
home restricted to his own family, without
being compelled to eXpend in the single item
OF rent the greater portion of his earnings.
But where, as is the case in New York, the
rural districts are situated at a distance of
from three to eight miles from the scene of
his daily labors, the inconvenience Of such
residence is so great as to render it almost
an impossibility. For this there is but one
remedy, and that is, to supply the deficiency
Of room by going upwards in the air. The
reeking tenement-houses of Pearl and Null
berry streets afford an example of the disas-
trOus results of the remedy thus far. The
tenements themselves are hotbeds of disease
and crime-nothing more and nothing less.
And their proprietors, one would think, as
general thing, are men who are actuated by
the single idea OF eXtortion. But certain
men, possessed of ample means, and of still
more ample supply of true philanthropy, are
about erecting in the more populons portions
clearinghouse, in which sUme attention uili
be paid to the health, comfort, and morals of
those who are dependent upon such as them
for shelter, as well as for employment. The
plan for the erection of these model tene-
ments that is being discussed is the only one
Mant Is feasible. 1t is absolutely necessary.
for the reasons which we have already stated,
that the deficiency of room should be met by
going upwards. The laboring population of
New York will, therefore, in good time be
supplied with comfortable and comparatively
cheap residences in buildings similar to the
model lodging-houses now so numerous in
Paris, many of which are six and even seven
stories in height
While in our own city there is a grand
opportunity for improving the lot OF the
laboring class, there is happily at our COM
mand sufficient room to avoid the necessity
Oferectng suitable houses for them of incon-
venient height. Philadelphia is, indeed,
world-renowned for the number of small and
comfortable tenements intended for and occu-
pied by single families. And we believe that
there Is within the limits of our city but
one locality in which can be found tene-
ment-house to be compared, in size and cor
responding unfitness as a habitation for
human beings to those wretched structures
which supply New York with an undmi-
Dished stock OF imbeciles in body, mind, and
morals. Notwithstanding the number OF
dwellings which have been erected on our
borders within the past few years, there are
still, within easy reach of the centre of busi-
ness, numerous vacant blocks of ground on
which lodging houses for the poorer classes
land makes it possible for us to still supply
the demand for small houses. The only
difficulties in the way are the high price oil
building materials, and the exOrbitant profits
on their investments which at present will
alone satisfy the cravings of owners of real
estate.
Owing to the combination OF these two
causes, houses OF class which few years
ago could be rented for a sum that was
within the reach OF every sober and indus
trious laborer, are now held at such exor-
bitant rates as to be utterly beyond the
means OF many such. The increase in our
population, having likewise been far in excess
of the increase in the number of dwellings
the holders OF real estate are thus enabled &c
demand, from enough who are able to pay
such rents as they may see fit to establish
We can see but one remedy TOR the difficulty
and that is the immediate erection of a large