The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-15
HUNGER AT TIE "HUB.n

BOSTON BUSINESS IN A BAD wAY-DIsTRESS
OF MECHANICS AND LABoRERs.
Occasional Correspondence of the Sentinel.
BCsToN, March THE business out
look in Boston is in every respect exceed
ingly discoursging. It has not been more
so for year,, and those competent 10 judge
say that the hard times OF 1857 were not so
hopelessly bad. The worst phase OF the
subject is that the depression seems TO
deepen. The effect IS felt by al classes,
but the destitution among the lower
classes is unprecedented. Mechanics and
laborlng men who have heretofore been in
comfortable circumstances have been re-
0uced to absolute want. The overseers of
the poor alone have assisted over
10000 persons during the fall
and winter, and this is only q
small part OF the charitable work
of the city. The assistance given
by the overseers OF the poor is in cases of
actual distress. After application is made
q visitor Investigates the case and then
fills out blank, containing score or
more OF questions relative to the case,
and, on the certificstion OF the visitor, or
ders are issued for fuel and groceries. The
provident Institution is overrun with ap-
plications, aud has been since October.
The number will probably equal two
thirds that of the applications TO the
overseers of the poor. Thus 1t is through
out the city, continual cry for help. At
the bureau of charities wood saving, at 80
and 80 cents dsy, has been provided for
needy men, and mechanics, clerks, ETC.,
who were formerly wel-to-do, are glad to
work at that prica, and the demand for
such work exceeds the supply.
CONDITION CT THE LABOR MARKET.
In the city there are about 1000 mssons,
and not more than 300 ara at work, and
the wages formerly 81 per day, are
now 81 80, and, if contractors were dis
posed to take sdvsntageof the times, they
at 81 per day. The number of
carpenters is about $500, and 1000 are
idle. The price paid to those employed aver
ages about 81 50p9r day, the former price
being $3 90 aud 50 so. Ofmachinesls there are
5000 or 1000, and not one-tenth are en-
piOyed, and their wages have been reduced
correspondinglv.lq A Boston contractor,
rebuilding the hotel az old Orchard Beach,
secures first class carpenters at 81 90 per
day, and in every department Of industry
there is the same depression. Those idle are
becoming poorer every day, running In
debt for the bare necessities of life, and
where credit can not be obtained tbs saw
ings bank fund hes been consumed; moth
Ing remains but starvation or to apply
for charity. The paving department
of the city, not long age, offered 81 90 per
day for laborers during the winter months,
and there were over 5000 applicants. In
spite OF this unprecedented depression,
however, there is in certain classes the
same fiow of money. Places OF amuse-
ments are thronged, although the average
attendance has doubtless been less than
formerly Since January there have been
several artists sales, and although the
prices averaged much lower than in ordin-
airy times, in some cases high prices were
paid for paintings of tina highest merit. So
it appears that in the hardest times the
fine arts receive support. ALLEN. o