The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-25
Communicated

p Dear Sif.--eRin you
e. vords from a poor working
man. and give them insertion in the columns
~ -onr valuable paper l read with great
;ntarast ths article which appeared under
The cap,ion of"Duildingy In the ARGUS of
re SOD inst, and endorse it's sentiments
with ali my heart. But especially was l
nlessed with your suggestion of a building
association, for such an organization at pres
ent would benefit this city far more than the
accession of dozen factories, for where is
the reason in obtaining factories when there
are insufficient facilities for lodging the
operatives ofthose already in operation.
My own case, as an instance, although ]
have no wish to make it one of self Eggrand
izement, would perhaps illustrate the man
ner in which many of the new corners of this
city exist and the necessity of something
definite being done to relieve the pressing
demand Tor houses. l came here
from York State, with my wife and
four children, for the purpose of making
this city my home, and OF laboring in one of
the factories recently located here. On my
arrival | had a few household goods and
some four hundred dollars in money.
found q good boarding house, where | took
up my quarters. The accommodations and
meals were good, but | soon found that
had better remained in York, for my wages
althoug large, we're inadequate to pay my
board bills, and was forced to draw from
my small funds, 1.-THE savings of many long
and toilsome years. dollar after dollar,
until finding my remaining accumu-
lations had dwindled to the sum of two hun
bred dollars, determined to commence
housekeeping. After three weeks search by
nv wife and myself, in my leisure hours, |
found 9 shsnsy on one of the back streets,
containing three rooms, without we'll, cistern
or cellar, for which q rental OF $l4 per
month was asked. As | must perforce
have some place of shelter, and fearing if |
did not secure this house, my two hundred
dollars would melt away, at once engaged
it, and to it removed my family and goods.
The neighborhood proving sickly, my wife
aud children one or the other of them have
been under the doctors care, and betwixt
the bills for medical service, my wifes iner-
tia, and medicine bills, my two hundred
dollars, now find reduced to twenty, and
through lack of other accommodations,
suppose that | must remain in my miserable
tenement, unless some good angel in the
| form of q building association, enables me
to once more stand upon my feet. Do not
think that have overweight or overdrawn
my experience, for have stated simple
facts. Yours, in truth,
MECHANIC.
The above communication should not be
regarded in the light of On emsnstion from
the brain of some poor man who is too lazy
to help himself, and wants help from the
wealthy, for he is known to Us as q
worthy hard working mechanic, who has set
down naught but the truth.
| His case is not without parallel this
| city, for we believe that there are many
Others if it we're but known, that have labor
ed as hard as Mechanic" to support then
families and secure homes, and find them
selves not emily in srrearAge, but further
from obtaining the wish of their life than
when they entered our city.
A building association is needed in THU
! city. We hope we shall have one. RICH
in our midst are men who have id,
capital, and who are on the lookout for pro
! ftable investment, and we desire to impress
on those men that no more profitable in
vestment could be found than the one ",
advocate, for laboring man appreciates al
benefits extended him by the rich, aut
should opportunity offer Will return an hun
dred fold tn outlay advanced him TO enabl,
him to provide home for his loved ones.
We do not advocate the loaning of money
in connection with this projsct, We do no
favor it. 1t is not what is needed. Let thu
building association purchase lots and cree
dwelling houses upon them and give th'
laboring man reasonable time in which t.
pay for them. The money that is expended
in heavy rentals would be paid to the associs
ton, and residence in q comfortable hous,
located 10 healthy neighborhood will lsrgel,
assist the mechanic In making his payment
and every recurring payment would be I
matter of qualification to all concerned, 70
the investor would be helping q fellow ma
and the poor man would have q realizing
sense Of lhe fact that he was accomplishing
his end, and obtaining a home. We hop
to see the subjecs considered BY our capita
list, and an organization formed.
DEMOCRATS Remember your primar
meetings tonight.
THE RIvER.-The levee presented an an
mated appearance this morning, with tn
coming and going of steamers, and tn
hustle and noise incident thereto.