The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-10-16

We have, on several occasions, undertaken to
demonstrate that families can procure the necss.
sary odiblss needed for domestic consumption
as cheaply in this city as In any other place
in the country. We do not doubt the correct.
ness Of our conclusions, and We know that what We
state In this regard is true. The plain material
needed to furnish wholesome and nutritious
food for family consumption is abundant In our
markets, aud can be obtained at as low, and
many articles even lower, than the sams com.
moditiss in other cities. But while this 10 the
case, We have no cheap restaurants and lodging
houses, where good airy rooms are furnished,
and well.cooked and wholssome food is served at
prices that at all compare with what may
be found In other large cities Has not the
time come for the capitalists Of Washington 10
turn their attention to this question Of establish
ing cheap lodgings and cheap, but good, sub
'tantisl living for people Of moderate means
1t occurs to Us that this might DO done Is well
here as elsewhere, and that the enterprise might
be paying one, as we'll as one Of signal benefit
to certain class Of our citizens
An organized company might build, buy, or
even lease, house, and ct 1t up on this plan Of
furnishing cheap lodgings and meals at reason.
able and low prices, and yet make such dividends
as would amply compensate all men who desire
fair yet reasonable accumulations upon the CAPT.
tai invested There is no reason why person
should be obliged to pay 81, or even so cents, for
nights lodging, unless he 10 disposed to do it
and Is able to meet this expense. We believe
that good and neat lodgings can be furnished for
three levies a night and that the parties fur
III. a. a.
profit. II some individual or organized company
were to undertake the furnishing Of such cheap
lodging-house or houses, We think II would DO
found to pay-that ID, If the enterprise were
conducted as 1t should be, upon proper princi.
pies. Such an institution should DO kept in a
neat condition, and should be conducted with
reference to the comfort Of the guests. Theirs
might be, in our judgment, several lodging.
houses Of this kind we'll sustained in this city,
and We believe good profits would result from tho
undertaking.
The hotels and boarding houses Of the city
would not be to any extent interfered with By
the establishing Of houses Of the sort named
above, and yet large class Of transient people
would be accommodated who cannot afford hotel
prices. In many instances these people run up
bills at hotels which they cannot pay, for the
simple reason they have not the means. They
are, under existing circumstances forced 10 70 To
these places or nowhere Now, II cheap but neat
and respectable lodging houses were furnished
them, they could meet their bills, the hotels
would not lose by them, and what 10 more salts.
factory than all, they would be living within
their means.
Nothing is SO denOraliziDg to any man a, TO
be compelled to live beyond his mean,-ws say
compelled to live thus. All mems daily wants
must be supplied, and If tho supply cannot DO
obtained to meet this dssidera,nm In an honest
way ten to one it will be obtained through some
dishonest means. The good morals Of many
people, therefore, depend upon their obtaining
cheap lodgings and cheap living.