The New York herald., 1874-08-13
THE GIRLS LODGING HOUSE, no. 81 ST.
MARKS PLACE.

Scotch say "weel guided;' out unfortunately 1t is
a TACT too big for much longer conceament that
our professional philanthropists are not the per-
sons 70 guide it well. Evidences OF the most star
ting character, reluctantly admitted, carefully In
vestigated, fortified with constantly repeated ex-
amples, have compelled the conviction that many
OF the charities for which New York has opened
gladly her heart and her purse are miserable i'm
positions on her generosity.
must premise, before making q distinct state
ment, that all my Investigations have been per-
sOnally made and that shall speak only OF what
have seen at various times extending over Pc
riod OF from three to four years. During this time
have given up my life to systematic endeavor
to relieve suffering irrespective Of creed, country
or age, although my favorite objects have been
young girls and children.
This paramount interest has led me very
often to the Girls' Lodging House, No. 27
St. Marks place, the true character OF
which ought no longer TO be concealed from the
public. II processes to accommodate ffty-three
girls. passed through the sleeping rooms few
days ago, and can speak with knowledge OF the
provisions Tor their comfort The house Is
lodging house," but only the attics and the floor
below it are used as such. Into these hot unven-
tllated rooms are crowded the beds for the flty-
three girls.
The bedsteads being OF iron have nothing to
object to them, except that they need either wash
ing or painting; but the mattresses simply dis
graceful. Long usage mas converted them into
Jumps OF soiled straw. I did not see one that
looked even and comfortable.
THE SHEETS WERE REPULsIvELY DIRTY,
the pillows ridiculous satires on the very name,
the comforters most unclean-iooking wraps. The
very use Of "com;orters'' in lodging house of
this kind is an outrage on decency; they cannot
be washed and the cotton must retain the un-
healthy and unclean perspiration Of many a moor
unfortunate. Enough OF money has been given to
this institution to provide the girls clean blankets
and sheets and pillows which are not q mockery.
There is absolutely no provision in the rooms
for cleanliness; the girls must 20 from the attics
to the easements to wash themselves. Conse-
quently they must pass through the house in
half nude state, or they must dress and then un-
dress-which very few would door they must pe
content to wash their hands and faces and leave
the main portions OF the body uncleansed. That
such miserable economy or bad management is
unnecessary we have only TO walk one block to
assure ourselves. In the ''House Of the Holy
Family" on Second avenue, they have always at
least four times as many women and children as
the lodging house in st. Marks place could taKe
! But their arrangements are simple SO wise and
! 80 ceanly that under no circumstances are the
! rules OF health or decency transRressed. Their
dormitories run the full depth 0; the house, and
are thoroughly ventilated. They are dalntily
! clean-tne very atmosphere tells II. The beds
| look as II human beings with souls and feelings
might sleep IN them and
DREAM GOOD DREAMS.
Every bed Is numbered and has It's private wash
Ing bowl, towels, comb and brush and soap. am
actuated in this comparison by no religious SYM
pathes--qu1te the contrary. ] was born and
educated Presbyterian OF the strictest sort and
am to-day member OF prominent Protestant
have heard much against the food given 70 the
| girls but have never been able, under any pre-
ana prefer to write only Of wDat T. Know. SUCH
IS 1t is they pay six cents day for or else give
their labor to the house. The amount OF work, OF
! course, depends upon the number OF inmates,
/ which, have excellent reasons for believing are
at no time large. They refused absolutely during
the sleeping rooms, two in the machine room and
| one in the sewing room. This one was engaged in
mas beer away most of this month and viii be
| away until September. AS was there during the
dinner hour. It is likely should have seen more
| girls II there had been more 10 the house. With
niece, dressmaker, . housekeeper and corps Of
servants to help her, 1t Is aitcult for hardwork
ing merchant who has given literally to THIS
charity to understand the necessity for such ex-
tensve "rests." At present the niece takes the
Matron's place, and another person is hired to
take the nieces place In the machine room, so
that neither slnecure Is unrepresented.
But whatever number Of occupants this miser
able looking house has. they are well 'overseen"
upstairs; the "Chlldren's Aid Society" give her
! tunates who are compelled to accept the charity
she doles out say, is perhaps OF no consequence
machine room, When not acting for the Matron in in
her long vacation. The dressmaker occupies the
room as anG wing m s rest
have said. the girls are allowed The use Of the top
door and the attic. Yet the whole house Is
Ostenslbly rented for their use and comfort. As to
| THE SALARIES OF THESE OFFICIALS
the most strict silence is preserved-no one
knows. For three years at various times and
under variety OF circumstances have asked,
but never received an answer However, lew
ase located at No. 10 East Fourth street
told me In q hesitatng manner, IN answer 10 my
direct inquiry, About 800 per month to nrst class
Oflcals' which he assured me the present en-
pioyes were. This sum- considering that board,
lodging, washing attendance, drsssmaking and
order to be professional phiiantrophist. Beside
COOK ana
ing maids and housemads dd ttottun. Perhaps
this force Is necessary s ss they have to cook and
and one Tor the glris But in Old Jerusalem IL was
not so. Jesus not only received the poor ana sim
but touched him. However, am writing facts, not
homllies. In the report oil the MatrOn l0r last
''~ THE SEWING MACHINE SCHOOL
turned out 933 operators who at once found worn
and good wages. "Aas know how difficult, how
(not tyros) to find work during the past year
Employing my own personal interest. backed BY
in this city, have often sought diligently ior sw'
or three weeks before could procure work to
even skilled hands, Will the Chiidrens Aid So
cety or the matron OF the place In Eighth stree
give to the public the method by which they sa
they place 80 many hundreds In employment
every year. This lodging house processes 10 taxi
women OF all ages, from fousteen to thirtyNfvt
years Of age-at least for one nights lodging IL
extremity-but out Of the number have sant /,
never knew one 70 be received. About month
ago found
ExHAysrsp m rHs STREET
respectable looking woman from neignporine
city. she was destitute and friendiess nsvins n
failed In the object that brought her mere. Ssr Snr
was sick and weary. She had hlied ID anosnos sos
cisy pretty much fhe position MIS- Hurley ,1ss o0es
here She was In the nelgnborho0d OF .. NJ ~ me
place and II was getting late. to0k ne Sa~ sc tall
closed innospitAbe doors and advse%1 % nc. Toor In
her story they heard heT ana s .ns,r sn1. ruIes
feW davs altar wards y0ung Rfrl-wnose sso,y,,
If mad space to tell IT. wSnid MAKE 70 me-