The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-22

ceivable cut and pattern, AL OF wncn iooA =
they had been hung for forging their own new
ness. Not for any length Of time can you stand
contemplating the cloud" patterned pants or the
gorgeously embossed velvet wastcoats. The pro-
prietor sees Won. He is six feet some odd inches
in height with q brimless fur cap on his closely
cropped, bullet-shaped head. enormously large
spectacles astride OF a nose which for shape and
size resembles well grown beet; short, Dutchy
looking pipe is in his mouth, and his parted
lips reveal struggling array Of worn, tobacco
stained teeth; his portly form is encased in
tightly fitting, closely buttoned, freshly renovated
brown coat, and to complete his resemblance to
community. his legs are encased in an immense
pair of cavalry boots. "Vel, Captain, how does
the cold weather. agree With You" says the out
iandish looking storekeeper, in a wheeling tone,
on coming forward, with fascinating smile on his
face. The tug of war Immediately commences.
The seller Of second hand clothes thinks you will
ultimately purchase something. leads you into the
recesses OF his establishment, and takes down gar
ment alter garment in the vain hope of inducing
you to invest trihng sum and become the
possessor of coat about four sizes too
"a shaps and pattern pas Which, Il worm RRod
render you the observed Of all observers. Final
ly, you manage to convince him that 1t is not
clothes, but Information that you are in search o.
He looks round what he terms "the beautiful
est lot of clio as ever vas seem" and heaving
sigh confesses that "bishness is no goot. bishness
is ver' bat, monish is, ah monsh is all gone"
You gather from him and his sympathizing neigh
zero, and that those on whose custom they depend
are now engaged in that btterest Of all strug-
gles--the struggle for daily bread.
Taking counsel of your own wit. you next re-
solve to visit
THE SAVINGS BANKS,
and do so.
In the atmosphere OF these institutions there is
financial CLEAN, as 1t were; for, under many
bright green shades gas is burning, and you
wonder what makes you compare them to bright
golden eagles partially smothered in greenbacks.
Being ushered into the presence Of the President
a gray.headed, keen-eyed, courtly gentleman
you find that he listens to you with patience; and
| mentally graspng your meaning with the same
quickness with which he can carry on intricate
calculations Of percentages OF interest and Of dis
count, without resorting to pencil and paper, he
promises to give you full and reliable information
| on the subject you desire. He soon
informs you that 50 far during the present
the deposits a. compared with the same
period of last yeaD In one of the oldest and most
widely known savings banks of this city the de-
posts for November, 1866, amounted to $457 ,063.
For the same month Of this year they amounted to
siO3.7 100. showing decrease Of $54 900 for one
month of this year. In the same establishment
the deposits for the first seventeen days of the
present month amounted to 1928 800 while for the
same period of last year they amounted to 1897 1875,
| showing decrease Of $69,355 In other estab-
shments of similar character the same state of
things is said to prevail, although the bank officers
state that many of their depositors do not come
forward until the last few days of the month.
Such is a brief resume of what can be learned
from three very sensitive barometers which tell
with almost unerrng accuracy of the condition of
the working classes, and from the following sum-
mary of the present condition of the different
trades ii will be found that their predictions are
borne out very fully =
The baking business is not as good as it was this
time last year. and . large number of journeymen
are now wandering about in search of employ
ment. first class workman can, in good times
narn al mt a vQa nv maxi hrnQ VIII for
good cracker hands the remuneration is somewhat
higher.
BARRIERS.
During the winter months there is always GER
tain falling of in the occupation Of the knights Of
the razor and scissors. This year, however, the
dulness is more marked than usual as is made APP
parent from the very large number of journeymen
who are out Of work and the numerous applica-
tons which are constantly made at all the large
shops. At many old and well known establish
ments the number of vacant "chairs" is constantly
or five hundred barber shops in this city very
large and unusually heavy percentage Of en-
ployes will be out Of employment during the
present season.
This trade is unusually dull and large number
Of first class journeymen are idle. The sales
which were made in the summer have not yet, in
most instances, been settled for, and an extension
OF time has TO be given. At this, the holiday sea-
son of the year. brisk trade is generally done
and large numbers OF costly bound books are dis
Il
But it is found that buyers now asking longer |
credit for goods already in their possession and |
are not inclined to make any additional purchases |
until they are able to pay up. good bookbinder
will generally average from SIS TO $l8 per week.
Three-fourths Of those engaged in this branch of
industry paid by the piece and very large |
number of young girls are engaged in folding, |
stitching and such like employments. Their |
according to the degree of proficiency they mani
fest. As already stated the anticipated fall trade
has not amounted to much, dealers being generally |
overstocked, and the prospect for the ensuing |
year is consequently exceedingly gloomy.
BUILDING MATERIALS.
Under this head are included doors, sashes and |
that business is "fair," although not equal to |
what it was at this time last year. There are q |
number Of men now out Of employment and those !
still at work are paid by the day, the general
average rate OF wages being from " to " 50.
BRICKLAYERs.
From very authentic sources it has been ascer- |
tanned that there are about fifteen hundred two
thousand bricklayers in the city Of New York.
Fully two-thrds Of them are now without work. |
and the boss builders unable to state at what |
time they are likely to be again employed. Dur |
ing the winter season large number OF these me-
chanics are idle but the number has never been |
great during any previous year rs it is at
present.
CARPENTERS.
The dulncss in other branches OF the building |
trade has thrown the majority Of the carpenters in
this city out Of employment, and at almost every
shop there are dozens Of applicants every day who
would accept a job on almost any terms; but the
bosses are almost unable to find work for the few
hands they still keep IN their establishments
CARTMEN.
With the falling of OF the dry goods business the
receipts Of the cartmen have very perceptibly
diminished, and many of them now industr-
ously working out that painful problem of how to
make both ends meet. No class Of laboring men
are more respectable or work harder for their
money than do the cartmen Of this city. and the
mr. ofaU
their savings Of the last twelve months.
coOPERs.
The present is usually the dull season for coop
ers but this year it is more SO than usual, and
very large number Of them are now without work,
in consequence Of the stagpaton Of other branches
OF business on which thers1s dependent. II fully
employed good journeyman cooper ought to be
able to about 90 per day. They are generally
rat nv fhp mia