The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-15

tiOn Of Bedford street and its vicinity time and
again by the press, but hitherto there has
been scarcely anything done towards abating
the nuisance and assisting the wretches who
inhabit these vile dens to better their oondi-
tion. A few Christian men and women have
made this plague-spot q field for missionary
labor, but they have received such
small encouragement from the community
at large that their work and influence
scarcely accomplish any apprecisble results.
Bedford, Baker, and Spafford streets, and
their intersectiDg alleys and courts, are In the
immediate neighborhood Of one of the wealthiest
portions of the city; and 1t Is scarcely five
minutes walk from the elegant house sof Wal
nut, Spruce, and Pine streets to the novels
where crime and disease are engendered, to be
spread ever the city in every direction. Again
and again have the public been warned that
some terrible epidemic would spring from the
filth of Bedford street to devastate this city,
but the warnings have scarcely been regarded,
and it is doubtful whether any thorough re-
medies will be applied until the cholera or
yollow fever have commenced their work of
destruction.
On Saturday the Sanitary Committee Of the
Board of Health, accompanied by High Con-
stable Clark, visited Bedford and Spafford
streets for the purpose of ascertaining the
condition of the tenement houses, and to de-
termine what action was necessary to bring
about a reform. Even at this season of the
year the foul odors were found to be almost
unbearable, and serious apprehensions were
excited as to the effects Of the hot weather in
producing disease. The committee discovered
as many as six and eight persons, white and
black, male and female, huddled together in
little rooms but few feet square, where they
cooked, washed, ate, and slept like so
many swine in sites. Many of the
houses in Bedford street are simply
frame shanties, almost tumbling to
the ground, but inhabited from garret to
cellar by human beings, some of whom, in
deed, from the effects of Alth and vile whisky,
seemed to have lost all semblance of humanity
and to have become assimilated to the beasts.
Ten, five, and even two cents per night are
charged for lodging in these dens, and 1t is a
significant fact that wealthy, and apparently
respectable, owners of Bedford street property
have hitherto thrown most obstacles in the
way of reforming thu wretches of this place;
and the reason for this is that the rents, COL
lected by agents, are higher in proportion
than in any other section of the city.
The committee of the Board OF Health were
unanimous in the opinion that some strenuous
measures should be adopted in the way OF
reform, but as the law now stands they are
almost powerless to do anything towards
abating the nuisance. In fact, no permanent
reform can be effected until the whole place
is cleared out, the tenement-houses torn
down, and house of correction provided for
the vagabonds who infest it.
The committee of the Board of Health were
accompanied in their tour Of observation by
Rev. John II. Long, the indefatigsble Bedford
street missionary. Mr.. Long has labored
faithfully to do something for the reformation
of Bedford street. and he has succeeded in
rescuing number of children from lives of
misery and crime, by inducing them to attend
the mission schools, and finding them homes
in respectable families, where they will be
removed from degrading associates. Mr.. Long,
however, has not received that liberal support
from the Christian people of Philadelphia that
the importance Of his work entities him to.
Immense sums Of money are collected in this
city every year for the benefit Of the heathen
in Africa and China, while here at our very
doors are heathen viler than the vilest, upon
whom scarcely passing thought is bestowed.
1t is question worthy of consideration,
whther the Bedford and Spafford street souls
are not as worthy of salvation IS those Of
heathen in other portions Of the world.
The VeIOctpedes on broad Street,