New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-15
DIPSOMANIA.
THE wAsHINGToNIAN HOME IN BOSTON.
WHAT 1T is NOw-wHAT 1T IS TO BE-METHoDs

WHAT 1T Is NOw-wHAT 1T IS TO BE-METHoDS
OF TREATMENT-PATIENTS GO ABOUT IN THE
CITY AT THEIR ORDINARY BUSINESS.
BosToN, April TO- The Washlngtonian
Home" 1909 Washington st. Boston, Is as much smaller
and less imposing than the establishment at Bingham
ton recently described in your columns "a Boston Is
smaller and more quiet than New-York IL be-
comes us OF the provinces to be modest IN
our oxternals; but, when / have toid you
the quality and quantity Of the work OF reform which Is
going here you will that the day OF small Things
is not always to he despsed. Indeed. we should seem
very fine and spacious here even now IL
you would but follow the counsel Of those gem
erous morasts who exhort you to see always
in everything ts possibities-in the ape or you arc
Darwnian the future human being In tie boy, inc
coming man; in the man, tho angel yet to ne Inc
Executive Committee Of the corporation when OWNS INC
Home has already purchased lot containing 1000 eet
of land on the corner Of Dartmouths and Warrenave,
on which a splendid building is to rise, with
spacious halls, pleasant reading bilard-room'
parors-every detail In short OF an inviting home'
which shall open hOspitabe doors TO the afflicted Ihey
wait Only for grant Of $4,000 from the state LegiS
ture which will readily be matched by as much more
from private and thus enough VIII be raised 10
build ON the pleasant site aready paid for the future
temple Of health and OF sanity.
At present the only wonder that much can be ac-
compshed with such apparently inadequate means The
Home" is plain house, on crowded city street. CON
tanning 20 sleepngrooms, chapel capable OF seating
perhaps, $780, small sittingr0om, office, laundry dining
rOOn and the apartments OF the superintendent ram
iy There is nothing attractive about IT, except the hu'
man feeling and cordially and hope which mako men
happy there Within pisOl-shOt at least 10 OF the
best or WORST patronzed rum-shops in Boston and the
hurry and hustle OF the thronged and narrow street arc
constantly i'll view. The Superintendent, MI VIM T.
Lawrence, and his assistant Mr. Coles, with one man
besides, comprise the working force OF the estap-
lishment, with, OF course, the necessary female
help-and yet in proportion TO the number OF patients
received it is well known that no other Home reforms
more was going say reforms nearly so many, but
refrain lest should be accused OF that boastulness
which bloweth in the east wind OF Boston. In ono
respect at least, this meek and lOwly establishment
takes precedence Of all others II was the very Drst IN
stuton Of this kind not only In this country but, be-
eve in the world. 1t began very naturally ana SIMPLY
Boston OF the old time tipsy place. Liquors were
invariably offered to guests and few indeed were 80 ex
ceptiona as to refuse them. The good wife treated
her spiritual shepherd when he to inquire after her
souls health and the traffic in stmulants was consid
cred legitimate and respectable that In at least one
instance the basement under church was used as
storeroom for the beloved edude rio Some waG wrote
stanza about the old Brattlesquare Church when inc
lower part of It be full Of generous vintage;
There's spirit above
And spini below
And spirit ofvo-
The srirt shove > the spirit divine
And the pnt below is the spint of wine
Old men drank women drank, boys drank, little chill
dren ate thejugar at the bottom Of the drained today
glasses and cried more and nobody seemed to think
much about H. until suddenly the great Temperance re
form OF some thirty years ago began 10 sweep
like a mighty wave over the country "WashnGtonan
Society" was formed IN Boston in lsl, and began its
work vigorously and with u which surprised the
hest friends OF the Soon they found difficult
ties in the way. Among the men who hocked TO their
banner were many OF whom drunkenness hau hhue
outcasts Separated from home and friends they
had nowhere TO so, when Mt length they desired 10
reform They must cared for, clothed, and fed ana
strengthened until they able 10 care for them
selves To this end several abortiye attempts were
made until in 1874 the Society rented the nan al NO. 20
Courtst and there, in connection with their place OF
meeting fitted up accommodations for men VINO were
drunkards and had homes IL was rude, rough
place says the historian Of THE movement Bunks were
lit ND by tho side Of the wall cheap but strong; the
bedding was clean but coarse the table, made OF an ola
chest which contained the cast-of clothes begged by
the Society the dishes what few there were borrower
from peigbboring eating house-these things, with a
small stove kettle TO heat water and tin cup OF t"o
constituted the principal fttingup OF the place
In this Society went nor some ten
wears until the Rev Phneas stowe pleading, rs was his
wont the cause OF the unfortunate, cried out one day
Rretbren LET us establish home for the fallen Lei
us make an effort for these lost men. VINO VIII give the
first five dollars 7" one Daniel Allen gave III others anu
vet others followed and loft in building at the cor
ner OF Richmond and Fultonss. was hired and cheaply
fitted up II was very humble. but warm and clean. a
man was engaged to look after 1t and its inmates and
thus was furnished place OF refuge for those who really
desired TO reform. Attention attracted 10 it, and
more and more help came IN The next remove was to q
building in Fankn-st, aud In 1883 an act OF lncopor-
tion as the "Washingtonan Home was granted by the
state Legislature After this there was another
remove to Chares-st, this time and subse-
oueny vet another the present house Washington
st. The history is simple; the means with which the
Society has worked have always been small and made
onate but the amount Of good which has been accom-
pshed is something wonderful Since its Incorporation
I'm 1885, the institution has received some 1900 patients
above one half Of Free tho others paying from Sc to
s1t week their board. These patients represent all
classes in the community that the superintendent in
the habit Of saying he could at almost any time esab
fish colony and provide some one 10 every necessary
department in IT, from minister to stonenasOn large
proporton-nearly quite onethrdof those received
mere have been permanently reformed and most OF the
Others greatly helped.
AT the time OF my visit found q patients OF various
ranks and professions though for they dest
tute Of ministers cotton broker, doing an extensive
business In neighboring city, had arrived few days
before accompanied by his muatto nurse. He had tried
in vain to cure himself had Lost through dissipation two
customers worth 900 year him, and had begun 10
feel that the Home was his as.hope Already, In four
DAYS he was restored health and TO sany-had called
on friend in with whom he had been accustomed
70 drink and been offered the Inequalities OF wehlled
sdeboard without experiencing the slightest temp
tation TO partake OF them The very night before my
visit man had to the Home who had not once In
ten years past been free from the influence Of liquor
He would been dead in AZ hours more the super
intcndept said. "And shall you himf asked 1T
is early yet speak positively but have no doubt that
we shall We lose any patients under our new sys
| ION, - "Indeed have you discovered a specihcr Mr..