The New York herald., 1876-12-16
A Visit to the Tenement Home Of One
of the Unemployed.
A SAMPLE OF WRETCIIEDNESS
Mournings Of Wife and Mother Over the
Long-Contnued "Hard Times"
CASES OF ISTRES IS.

workingmcn tho record of the idle men which was
published in the HERALD rev days since must bc
greatly exaggerated. This statement made by the
reporter to some prominent workingmen yesterday,
The that the total Of nearly 30 600 idle
men, as published was even below the actual number
OF men out OF employment They sand tha, tho
workingmen OF this city are peaccablc and law abid-
ing citizens who dcsire of all things that they
should be afforded the opportunity TO maintain a
manly independence without broils for broad or
fights in the streets The reason, thsy alleged, why
the men have not made any public parade of their
poverty tho leaders among them have not taken
any steps toward organizing meetings. or effected any
combinations in the several districts throughout tho
city, as was IN 1874 Appointment trade unionist
stated he we'll others who had formerly taken
an part in keeping the together found that
when the work was done the workngmcn fell into the
hands OF the politicians and the leaders only
ignored but were made the victims OF vituperation
and calumny as u reward tor their PAINS Under these
circumstances and lest It might at this time have tho
scmblanco OF personal advancement, tho prominent
mechanics havo held entirely aioo leaving the OF
the poverty or the to tho wisdom OF the press.
Reiterated assertions made the reporter that
the Distress among the Is not IN the least cxag
gerated and unless rolief utter star
yation must como TO thousands OF tho working
classes
NO CITY COAL FOR THH POOR
TO preserve life during tho approaching winter
warmth almost as necessary as food but among tho
made by the city tho relief OF tho
poor no money has been asds for the purchase OF
coal 10 bc distributed among the nccdy The Board Of
Appotionmeu in distributing the money set aside for
charity to the different associations did conditions
that It would only be used for procuring food and
shelter for the thousands OF starving people In pre-
yous years a certain voted to be given 10 the
Commissioners of Charities and Correction for the pur
chnso of coal This given in quantities OF half .
ton 10 each family deserving Of IT, and the ordor OF
Mr. KcIoch This method OF rclef reached tho labor
ing classes who are novor burden the city any
other way
FIRST AVENUE rEvSxESr HOUSE,
So much has been said abort tho suffering Of tho
workingmens families that tho reporter made Visit
to tho homo OF one OF this class in company with
OF the unemployed, TO tho condition In which tho
fanny was Ono of the tenement bouses First
avenue selected for the purpose tho family visited
being acqua,ntanccs of the reporters guide. Tho
three rooms occupied by the mechanic, his wife and
four children are located on tho fourth floor Of six
story tenement and constitute half the width OF
tho building In the rear or this building is also
other tenement, Of similar ncight paved yard FORM
ing an intervening square. dingy looking lager
beer saloon with family apartments at tho back, is
10 be seen on the right OF tho door you enter and
on tho left nourishes motion" porum, including
candies and OIL Tho ascent Of tho stars Is
made In The dark for SUMS rays can penetrate this
hugo assortment OF 'front.' middle and back rooms.
Tho light that comes through tho sKylght tho roof
is stopped alter reaches the sixth floor tho spiral
staircase OF tho building shutting in Tho darkness OF
the mammoth box effectively.
DrsTREsa
Having reached the apartments OF tho family sought
for tho reporter and his guido wore admitted by .
little boy six years old, who at tho first knock tho
door speedily presented himself The apartments
consisted OF room about ten feet square, with two
unghtcd closets, supposed TO be bedchambcrs, which
apparently were partitioncd or the main room, but
which wero really fixed part Of the plan OF
the building. Tho furniture In the room con-
sisted of washtub, three chairs, an ancient
OUNCE table with oilcloth cover, two stools and
stove On tho mantclpIece worc few nondescrlpt
ornaments, dii,cult to comprehend: looking glass
and the remains OF cheapy framed clock. Two pic
lures were hung over manclpiooe, represent
ing the Last Supper and another the Sacred Heart.
on the walls were portrait Of Dr.. Cahil newspaper
print OF tho trial Of some Irish patriots and few
photographs Of friends ncquniniances The carpet
on the floor was ragged. The mechanics wife had a
weured expression in her countennpce, but NAM
taincd sad kind OF oaeerfulncss her manner pain
iu The tour children wore clothes which COW
cred them, but the material OF which the garments
were composed varied In Its coors nBd so de-
VOID Of ssmcncss each particular article OF wear
that IN saying tho children clothes is all that
be said. The conversation which ensucc carried
on between tho mechanics wifc and tho reporters
FAMILIAR coxvrDExcx.
GUrpE-Wcll Mrs. X, how you making out 2
Arc Tho children all wcf wncro is tho old man him.
sclf9
Mrs K-I suppose hos like the rcst Of you-look-
ing Tor what there's no chance TO get.
tiuips-That's so, bcdad; not stroke OF work ono
Of win got this winter never knew tho times to
be so bad.
Mrs K-Hc had seventeen days work now in
mouths
Mrs. K.-Ycs; but look mt the poor children. Joe
can't 20 TO scGoo for want OF clothes and tho two
youngest have been sick these three weeks.
GuipE--Arc you getting any hcip at a'lY
Here the poor woman went into very cpcn cx-
planatiou OF her financial situation. showing how by
sister employ cd domestic and cousi similarly
earning living bad been helped with MS much
kept on starvation She then went on 10 say that she
went once 40 Mr. keoch at the Office OF The comm's
sioncrs Charities and Correction, and asked Tor a
few dollars TO buy coal The children were almost
famishing and she could not allow tho two smallest
be taken into tho room OF any ncighbor wncro
thero was a nrc, as they were so SICK
MppIISG LANDLORD
GrtpE-Hns the landlord pounced on you YETI
Mrs. K-rne agent has been here oiicn enough, but
VIZ gave him much could and he let us stay.
We paid him more ihan hs, but he might be worse
whero could We goy one place Is just the samo
as another us, II we had the money, but
help each other IN this house us well as can We
the children OF one another hungry IL QUO
OF has anything at all and that serves all OF We
are noarly ali poor each other, none OF
be proud II the poor only had plenty Of cYa It would
60 long way 10 make them iccl less down-hcartcd
(icrc Mrs X. looked at the stove which presented q
grating without tho bright glow oil red hot coals.)
.'oLp MAN. HOPELESS
GuipE--Docs the ''old man" say no has any chance
Of jobS
Mrs. K--No; he has no chance. I'm sure ho must
have walked every inch OF the cliy looking Tor
work. Sometimes he mas thought he had chance
but IL always in the end the saino old story. Poor
man. he's working hard enough, for tho hardest
days work Is the waiting Tor work. II seems
so long since VIC were able TO
count on few dollars every week that
1 almost despair. We thought We wero badly or
enough then, but though were poor wc had always
enough to pay the rent and not be hungry. ! don't
know what we'll do Everybody says therc will be
work for The winter. How are VIC 10 ivca
Hero Mrs. H. gavc touching account OF how
friend OF hers whom shc named, had parted with her
ttl hov mn cir hot 10 be