Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1869-12-18
nUGLDlNG NEGOTIATIONS.

lngiu Vicksburg,and more especial
ly the eXhorbitant rents for iene-
ments, both combined having the
effect to preclude many Of our own
people from making themselves
respectable homes, aud preventing
that influx of population which Is
absolutely essential to our growth
and prosperity. The evils we allude
no are so glaring that no sensible
aud fair minded person but isaware
oftheir Cxistence,and none who love
this city or who desire It's %prOsperi.
ty, but heartily deplore the fact of
their existence.
We have talked TO several who
doubtless feel al interest in this
community and they agreed with
us in C~ondemning this sad cOudi-
ton Of affairs, and seemed anxious
for a change for the better. But
there has been nothing done, aud II
we all wait to see something done,
there never will be. Some of us
who really feel an interest must
take hold and "start the ball !" must
go to wOrk-actual energetic doing
and put on foot q movement that
shall eventuate in success by Who'll.
ly or partially remedying the exist
ing state Of things.
A young man in almost any 9th.
er part Of the country except the
South, aud especially right here,
who has an income Of q thousand
dollars a year, can support q faml.
ly comfortably. But, mercy on usi
say we. to landlords and landladles
here! What can a man support q
family on here? Two thousand
dollars 9 year will Q little more
than keep them above actual want.
A very poor young man, a clerk,
or day labOrer, or, perhaps, a poor
editor, can get q little room for
himself aud wife III they have no
children) for about $1OO, 800 OF
possibly $50 a month, fuel, lights
and washing extra.
Or such 3 person can rent a verS
, small house on the outskirts Of
town III by chance Q house to rent
can be found any tVhere) for, say
$40. $50 or more likely $50 . month,
BY close economy he can run Out
the year at an expense Of from
$500 to $1,000 and more, according
to the size Of the family.
Now this Is too bad. It is ruin.
GUS to our city. It 10 agOnizlng t.
our people who have families Il
support and arc not lucky enough
to be rich.
As we have stated, such has beer
the case for q long time and |
should be 90 no longer. We hav,
induced several TO pledge them
selves TO aid In reforming this mat
ter. They say they will cO-Operatl
In any feasible plan to remove thl
trouble complained Of. VIZ havl
put Ourself to some trouble TO as
certain q practicable and practica
mode Of relief. We think we hRvl
received the information desired
We have on hand a plan that seem
TO uS eminently suited to the emeF
gency, and we propose very shortly
10 place Il verbally before o called
meeting. This plan is 10 organic
q Building Association. Its object
Is to furnish homes 10 poor people
or those in moderate circumstances
II Is certain and feasible. Il ad,
mits Of no speculation. IL admit
Of no monopoly. There is not
person who is too poor TO have, at
least, one share Of stock therein
II may not have the effect Of cheap,
ening meat and bread and clothing
we wish II c0uld-but It will en-,
able one to SAGE something where.
with to buy those n~ecesSlties.
In some succeeding iSsue-tO'
morrow, pOssibly-we shall present
q fuller statement Of the scheme
proposed. We suggest this move,
ment heartily. Not only from cell
interest-We plead guilty to Mat-
but for the sake Of many, many, too
many families wh0 are to-day
homeless because they are cr0WdOd
away In some cOrner,or In some DRY
goods box Of Q habitation, or somI
lar distant dwelling which barely
IL 9 shelter, or because they enioI
% the luxury and comfort OF |
boarding house. We do not meal
10 censuro those who keep board,
ing houses, though We do thinh
their prices rather steep; but ",
mean that families who board car
know nothing Of true ''hOme" com
forts. Itisa hard task to keen ,
boarding house, and owing 10 th,
high price Of everything high rate
for board must be asked,
Boarding house keepers doubt
less do the best they can. Blu
boarding houses were never in
tended for families. Families have
no business in them, as bOarders
It Is Is q law Of religion from III,
day Of the patriarchs that q family
should be, as 1t were, q little com,
munity to itself. American should
as soon think Of employing France
or England to run the United State
nvarnmau land uuda. .,,.a.n