The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-18

Looking through the sixteenth. Twentieth, Twenty
second ana Twelfth wards yesterday has mpsted our
observations and Investigations regarding the poor q
New York. This section embraces Q large area OF our
island one that In the last few years has changed
precedentsdiy. and In the few years come will
change beyond any present human calculation. But
with the growth Of population here with the extension
OF wealth and those progressive improvements the
allies Of prosperity and enterprise; with the
building Of magninosns temples OF worship with
the Park 90 unapproachably perfect in all its details
with the prospective Boulevards giving most splendid
adonment to the upper end OF the saud and tasteful
villas and drives, adding value beauty and enjoyment TO
tho grand scene 80 clearly showing itself in tho horo.
scope Of the future, the poor with their ptfn plead
ing faces, follow in the track tho painful. onni-
present shadows in the background Of picture lie up
with Joyous smiles and respendent with beautiful
Towers sunny skies and luxurant abundance As 10
the poor here now, there plenty Of them, almost A.
plentiful in proportion to the population to DO found
PIN the lower wards Of the city. The Ii the same
the general depression in businessand thousands who
have never known want before have been reduced to
exremities through being thrown out Of employment.
Public and private charities literally extending the
helping hand. Already the turning point or the winter
has been passed, and with coming spring revival in
ouBihees anticipated aud termination OF tho surer.
Ing and distress that now prsvaa In all this vast district
NO special relief commitsses Osen organized and
ng the ability OF the ordinary charities to relieve 1t
not likely there Will be any organized. Meantime the
sixteenth ward station house does s share nightly u
giving lodgings 70 those having no other recourse
shelter. In The twentieth ward station house the
lodgings are In rear building and unusually spacious
and we'll ventilated and compacy filled every night.
Within the boundaries Of the Twenty second ward there
arc two station houses, one in street and
the other in West Egn.fourth street. near the Bloom
ngdaie road. The former 10 Of the best station
houses in the city, and tho lodging rooms-where about
seventy-6vs mon and women are given lodgings each
Ill
spacousness and facilities for inhalng air containing
something like dscenl share Of oxygen Tho other
station house 10 not 90 r0omy, but still many homeless
ones find under its roof nightly shelter and warmth.
Four station houses, but like tho two just mentioned
line ponce e ss Tsss arc ward d
The first one ln Yorkyillo 10 miserable affair and
dark. contracted and my ventilated cells in the base
menI II ", however, full every night In Harlem the
station house much better though capable Of very
il can spare occupied each night with free odgerR
The station house in Tenth avenue 1929 street,
Manhat.anville, have each lodging accommodations
though in limited degree; but far away they there
has hardly been night ths winter that the apple ants
for lodgings have not exceeded the recommendations
afforded In this speciality Inns about enough on station
house lodgings ON the upper end Of the sand but such
record necessarily constitutes part and parcel OF the
story concerning tho poor VI this section Not how
among these houseless wanderers Of the night as
much they to be be tneir present
condition their fault and acebe 10 their improvi
dence evil passions what not are We 10 look tor
tho most painful 500 OF pOvortys picture. Ana NOT IN
crowded tenement houses and damp Easements and
lonely attics Is the most to be seem Many strong men
and high minded women, who have neveibefore expert
enced the pnchngs Of hunger and cold and nakednsss
aud dreamed Of the necessity that would compel
them ask for charity and who suffer everything but
death Itself before making known their situation and
applying for assistance the kesnest sufferers from
poverty.
HAVING gone through all the wards Of tho citya trip
OF necessity OF hasty Strides though lacking the
league boos--we will give the results Of observa.
ana inquiries 1t clear that there has been
winter tho poor Of this city since 1857,
and traceable TO the same causegenera depression
business and such large numbers being thrown IN
consequence out OF employ mont. ~ the least calcu
lation one hundred thousand people who
arc In the habit OF earning respectable vonoods by
iaborl out Of employ msnt High rents and the
high prices demanded Tor the paineeI OF
life adding largely TO tho general suffering Many
out employ living the savings from their
past carnings; many are living on The credit given
Them by their landlords and The grocers and butchers
who, knowing their past character and honesty have
fear IN trusting them, knowing that they will pay
soon ~ they get work again. many, having nothing laid
up and being too proud 70 mako their dsesses known
aud ask for credit have parted with everything they
had-jewslry ksopsakes, bedsteads and bedding. aud
she clothing on their bsck-to procure food for
themselves and little ones. Visitors from established
charities and church missionaries are gradually hndag
these out and thus have prevented any actual
OF starvation thus far although there have been
well authenticated instances of whole families having
gone two three days without tasting food IL paiu
tudes Of industrious mechanics and honest, energetic
and children, VINO have never before known the
wont Of food, thus ali about trsading the
lines OF starvation
The following table shows the operations the past
month OF the Association for Improving the Condition